Shiner Pride Marching Band Going to NYC Thanks to Generosity of Community

It was a challenge to come up with the funding for the trip that traditionally occurs every four years.

(Rising Sun, Ind.) – Thanks to the generosity of the community, every member of the Shiner Pride Marching Band will get to enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

This April, 30 students will go on a trip to New York City.

The trip is one that traditionally takes place every four years. In 2020, the trip was cancelled due to COVID-19 and the following year was met with a rainy day for the annual Shiner Pride Car Show – which is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the marching band.

With a tightened budget, quotes for the NYC trip began in early spring of 2023. At that point, if all band members attended the trip it would have cost $1,100 per student. The cost of a charter bus would increase the price per student by nearly $500.

So, a decision had to be made. Cancel the trip, only take those who could afford it, or get creative.

It was determined that a plan would be put together to get the price per student to $900 or less. One of the options was to take a yellow school bus to NYC, but that plan quickly fizzled as it was deemed “unrealistic” because it would be difficult to find a bus driver for hire that is able and willing to navigate the streets of downtown NYC safely and find parking for each of the kids' stops.

In January, Rising Sun Ohio County Schools superintendent Brandon Roeder was able to find enough sponsors to commit to 75 percent of the charter bus cost (approx. $14K).

Still, there was one more hurdle to conquer. Two students remained unable to attend until the American Legion Post 59 came forward to donate an additional $2,500 to the trip. That was combined with $1,000 that past band parents raised during the Navy Bean Festival, which helped cover remaining charter bus costs.  

Thanks to sponsorships and the donations listed above, the cost of the trip per student was lowered to $750.

Two students remained needing assistance to attend the trip. That’s when a former teacher and local business owner was paired with one of the students. Another retired teacher came forward to help the remaining student.

“For many of these students, this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that would have never happened if not for the generosity of this community,” said LeeAnn Wallick.

The students will be attending a Broadway production of Hadestown, performing in front of the Statue of Liberty, visiting the 9/11 museum and memorial, Time Square, Chinatown and more.