The Marching Band respectfully requests $8,000 to replace essential instruments that have reached the end of their usable lifespan. Providing access to an inventory of musical instruments for Washburn students is vital to fostering a positive and inclusive educational experience, as well as maintaining the band’s sound quality, performance standards, and continued success. 
The Marching Band is one of the most recognizable organizations on campus. We perform at athletic events, university ceremonies, community parades, regional festivals, and more. Through these appearances, the band serves as an ambassador for the university, projecting school spirit, excellence, and pride to thousands of people each year. Our performances inspire prospective students, engage alumni, and strengthen the university’s connection to the broader community. In addition to representing the university externally, the band plays an important role internally by promoting student engagement and leadership. Membership in the ensemble fosters creativity, teamwork, time management, and dedication among student musicians from across all disciplines on our main campus and at Washburn Tech. These students, in turn, carry that commitment into their academic and professional lives.
Many of our current instruments are more than a decade old and are now in need of replacement due to wear and repair costs that exceed their value. Furthermore, over half of the students in the band do not have the means to purchase or rent their own instruments. The requested $8,000 will allow the purchase of durable, high-performance instruments – specifically, new Yamaha YAS-480S alto saxophones – that will serve the band for years to come. Supporting our request will ensure that the Marching Band continues to be a strong, visible symbol of university pride and a source of inspiration and unity for our campus and community. We deeply appreciate your consideration and continued investment in our students and the arts!
Donations to this project will support the Music Department Equipment Fund
Campaign Pillar: Teaching and Program Excellence
