Band still needs $20,000 for trip
MANNING — A South Carolina high school band has only raised about half of the money it will take to travel to Washington, D.C., next month for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.
The State newspaper of Columbia reported that bake sales and donations from churches and businesses have helped the band raise about $20,000 of the $40,000 that the Manning High School band needs.
But band instructor Ray Francis also hopes to raise enough money to replace some instruments.
The band's sousaphones are being held together with duct tape.
The Manning band played for Obama three times as he campaigned in South Carolina, including at the rally with Oprah Winfrey in Columbia last year.
If they get to Washington, they plan to play "The Final Countdown." Obama has told them that is one of his favorites.
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NativeSon (anonymous) says...
It is my understanding that this group was selected to appear for the communist take over of America. Should this be so, then the inviting party should be paying for their expenses, not the band.
December 26, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Surfcaster (anonymous) says...
if odama wants that band there, let him pay their fare.
December 26, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Surfcaster (anonymous) says...
Myrtle Beach High School has over one hundred homeless students. If they raise a surplus, would they please share it with us.
December 26, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
maybe if the NAACP would lift the ban on economic santions imposed on the state of SC, people would be more inclined to help.
Hey didn't Obama get elected?
Everything should be paid for! Right!?! LOL!
December 26, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soulfullatina (anonymous) says...
I wonder if any of you geniuses wrote these SAME types of comments on similar articles of high school bands that were also trying to raise funds to attend the inaugurations of previous presidents.
What makes this High School Band and this Inauguration different?
hmmm?
December 26, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
Ah, the true SC mentality raises its ugly head . . .
soul - you are the present company excluded from my sarcasm.
December 26, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soulfullatina (anonymous) says...
No Lil' Johnny, and I'm sure it is, it's not "racists" to suggest that parents foot the bill for this little adventure.
I just wonder if your vehemence would have been as obvious if it was Summerville High School fundraising for their trip to a McCain inauguration.
Methinks not.
So...
What is it like sharing a coin with JimIslander?
December 26, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gococks1985 (anonymous) says...
If they want it bad enough, they will make it happen. This article is a pr stunt to get donations, not solicit stupid remarks from ignorant people about who they are trying to play for. I applaud them for their efforts to get you all to take some time to discuss it. It seems to have worked.
Before anyone wants to jump on my arse, I'm white and republican.
December 26, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rutide (anonymous) says...
I'm sure if the football team needed $20,000 to go to a state tournament it would easily be found in the budget. Come on athletic department help your band out!
December 26, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Surfcaster (anonymous) says...
How many days of classroom instruction will they miss?
December 26, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
Wants and needs, our priorities are out of wack.
That is alot of money for a band trip, when over 80% of the student body is getting free or reduced lunch. I think there are better uses for that kind of money...JMO
December 26, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Surfcaster (anonymous) says...
If odama does not pay, perhaps house boy jim clyburn will wright the check.
December 26, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Maybe I'm missing something here...Why in the hell does it cost $40,000 to take a bus trip to DC?
December 26, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TinaR (anonymous) says...
CoolFreaknBeans, methinks that you are forgetting a couple of small items.. 1 being they will need to stay in a hotel (and hotels in DC are not cheap), and 2. being they might want to eat while they are in DC. I think that I read somewhere they would be there for 4 days. Also, depending on the size of the band, they might need to charter more than 1 bus.
December 26, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Ive been to DC many times. I know hotels are quite pricey. I wonder how many people are in this band? I still think $40,000 is absurd. I mean really a family of four can go to Disney, stay at a resort (with park hopper tickets)for 6 nights for $1400. Where would these kids be dining/staying? On my school trips we ate at McDonalds or other fast food.
December 26, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
The hotels in DC during the Inauguration are priced exorbitantly...that's the primary reason for the amount of money necessary. I think it's very sad that they don't have but half the money necessary for the trip, but I would think that everyone that would like to see them go should pitch in. I'm wondering...if their instruments are held together with duct tape, why were they invited in the first place? Wouldn't our president-elect notice that they were a little strapped?
December 26, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
soulfullatinaI; "just wonder if your vehemence would have been as obvious if it was Summerville High School fundraising for their trip to a McCain inauguration."
Why are you suggesting that if McCain had won he would have asked for the Sumerville band and not the band from Manning?
Your comment is extremely racist!
Expenses could be diminished by some of the area churches providing their buses for the trip. *God knows* there are plenty of them around.
December 27, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soulfullatina (anonymous) says...
yird: get a dictionary and read the definition of racist. then re-read my comments. If after that you come to the same conclusion, then I can only offer you my empathy, as reading comprehension is not your strong suit and I'm unable to help you.
Summerville is a more affluent school than Manning. Believe it or not there are plenty of children of color that attend SHS so race is NOT the primary factor in MY comment, but I believe it was in the comments of OTHERS.
Buenos Tardes!
December 27, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Well soulfullatina,you insipid moron.Before you question my reading comprehension you might try learning to write what you mean, although that's probably hard for you since you need to try and hide your true feelings.
I got news for you ,your not that good at it.
Your words,"I just wonder if your vehemence would have been as obvious if it was Summerville High School fundraising for their trip to a McCain inauguration."
What motivated you to determine that John would not be as upset if Summerville was selected by McCain.
Wouldn't have anything to do with the predominantly black makeup of the Manning band now would it?
Your a typical phony racist and you get your panties all in a wad when someone points it out to you.
December 27, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
Obama picked a mostly black band. If McCain had won he may have picked a band like Summerville. Lots of white faces from a GOP area.
December 28, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soulfullatina (anonymous) says...
Insipid?
I like that word.
I hope it didn't take you too long to look through a thesaurus to find it.
Pray tell, what is a 'phony' racists and can you give me examples of how I appeared to be one?
Looking forward to your response.
Buenos Noches.
December 28, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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