Juan Diego Catholic HS forms marching band

Friday, Jun. 05, 2015

DRAPER — Juan Diego Catholic High School’s marching band will be having their first public performance in the Draper Days parade on July 18.

This has been a long-time dream for Jed Blodgett, Juan Diego’s percussion and orchestra director.

“I have been here for about six years, and I have always thought about forming a marching band, but it takes a lot of people, a lot of money, a lot of students,” said Blodgett.

So for some years that dream was put on hold. Then, when Fiona McGowan was hired three years ago as the JDCHS band director, the idea of a marching band came alive again.

 “She had a lot of marching band experience,” said Blodgett, so “when she came, we started talking about it more seriously, and the kids loved the idea. They have got to the point that they have a very good talent level, so last year we went to talk to Dr. Colosimo.”

After Dr. Galey Colosimo, the school principal, gave a green light to the marching band idea, a new challenge  arose.

“We needed to raise a lot of money,” Blodgett said. Each uniform cost $350 and “we have around 60 kids that are planning to be involved right now,” Blodgett said; although they have raised $80,000 they are seeking additional donations to cover costs.

Blodgett has also been visiting other schools, such as Judge Memorial Catholic High School and The Summit Academy, to inquire if their students would be interested in joining the marching band.

“The Utah High School Activities Association allows us to invite other students if they don’t have a program of their own, so some of the marching band members are from these institutions,” although the majority of the band’s members are from JDCHS, said Blodgett.

“This is a good chance for them to get the experience, and it is a good chance for us to reach out to our band friends that don’t have a marching band,” said Blodgett.

The band will make its debut at the July 18 Draper Days parade, but a far larger audience awaits them at the Days of ’47 Parade on July 24.

To raise funds for uniforms and other costs associated with the marching band, a garage sale has been scheduled for June 13.

“That same day Corners Bakery Café will also donate some of their proceeds of that day to the marching band,” said Blodgett. “Sometimes people overlook that the Skaggs Center has also an awesome arts program in addition to the sports program, and the marching band is a way to show that. … We are really excited, it’s going to be really fun,” said Blodgett.

Donations also may be made online at  https://sites.google.com/a/skaggscatholiccenter.org/jdchs-bands/home/give.

 

WHAT: Garage sale fundraiser

WHEN: Saturday, June 13

WHERE: Juan Diego Catholic High School, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

Also, the Corner Baking Café, 264 East 12300 South in Draper will donate some of that day’s proceeds to the marching band. They are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.