ANDERSON, Ind. —
Ahoy, Band of Pirates!
Anderson High School band director Doug Fletcher is looking for a Madison Heights High School band uniform that can be worn by a drum major in competitions this season.
“I guarantee there’s one sitting in someone’s closet,” Fletcher said.
When the Anderson High School Marching Highlanders take the field in competition this year, they will do so representing the legacy of all three city high schools, Fletcher said.
The three drum majors each will wear a uniform of one of the city schools’ storied bands — the Anderson Marching Indians, the Marching Highlanders and the Madison Heights Band of Pirates. That is, if someone has a Madison Heights band uniform to share.
Fletcher said he’s hoping to find a late 1970s or early 1980s vintage band uniform from Madison Heights, which happens to be his alma mater.
The idea to honor all three of the city’s high schools evolved from the band’s appearance in the Chesterfield Fourth of July Parade. During that event, banners of all three city schools were presented as the band marched.
“That got a lot of positive community response,” Fletcher said. “We’re kind of tying that in with the three drum majors.”
“I love the idea that we’re incorporating the three schools,” drum major Kelli Sears said.
Recognition of the school bands’ accomplishments will be a theme this year. The band’s advertising page in the State Fair Band Day program listing all the current band members and staff is headlined as follows:
“Anderson High School
Continuing the tradition of excellence of ...”
The ad then displays the logos and titles for The Marching Highlanders, The Marching Indians and The Band of Pirates. Also included in the program are titles won and major accomplishments by bands from each school.
Anyone with a Madison Heights band uniform interested in providing it for upcoming shows should contact Fletcher at 641-2068.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
Marching as one
Here is the schedule of marching band competition events for the Anderson High School Marching Highlanders:
- Thursday, July 22: Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland.
- Friday, July 23: Delaware County Fairgrounds, Muncie.
- Saturday, July 31: Drums at Winchester.
- Friday, Aug. 6: Indiana State Fair Band Day, Indianapolis.
Community event
- The band will present its Ice Cream Social, an annual Highland High School tradition, at Anderson High School this year. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4.
Open practices
- The public may watch practices at Highland, band parents said. Practices generally take place from 6 to 9 on Monday evenings, 9 to 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 1 to 5 on Wednesdays. Friday practices vary.
