By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
Tattered and frayed, the once proud band uniforms of the Caledonia Area High School Marching Band, now some 20 plus years old, are in need of replacing.
“I think they were purchased in 1987,” said band instructor Carrie Erickson. “It got to the point last year where the coats were ripped, pants were frayed and zippers were broken. There were times we didn’t have coats for some students, pants for others. We decided to retire the uniforms and the students wore matching polo shirts.”
So a group of music supporters have rallied to the cause to raise money to help purchase 120 new uniforms.
“We’re hoping to get 120,” said Erickson. “We need 90 just to outfit the people we have in the band now, and we want to account for room for growth. We’ll need to have some extra sizes.”
The fund raiser
Supporters of the music program have started a contest to help raise the needed funds. Five members of the community, principal Ron Helmers, former band instructor David Earp, head football/track coach Carl Fruechte, student Chelsea McManimon-Moe and father Gregory Leif have agreed to offer their namesake and faces to help raise the funds.
The idea was a parents.
Twelve area businesses have agreed to hang posters featuring the likenesses of the five music supporters. Donations will be elicited on the behalf of each individual. The person who “raises the most money” will get a wake up call by the entire band on the morning of May 14.
That individual will have chosen his or her song that they’d like to be played. The band will then assemble at their home early on the morning of May 14 and play the chosen song.
The 12 locations are: Caledonia High School, Caledonia Elementary School, St Mary’s School, Kraus Oil, Caledonia Tru Value, Kwik Trip, Redwood, Main Attractions, Quillins, Pine Cone Place, Bank of the West, and Alco.
No one but Erickson will know where the band is headed. Of course, the competition is a friendly one and the big winner will be the Caledonia band department as they’ll have the funds needed to purchase the new uniforms.
The Answers
The Argus, who are attempting to help support the fund raiser by way of this article, posed the same five questions to the individuals who will lend their support to this cause. Each individuals answers to the questions are listed below. Either way, you are encouraged to support the music program by supporting your favorite candidate.
But first the questions:
1. If you could choose your wake up song, what would you like the band to play?
2. If you were a band instrument, what would you be and why?
3. What’s the oldest piece of clothing you have hanging in your closet and how did you come to own said item?
4. What color would you like the band uniforms to be and why?
5. Why should the public donate their money on your behalf for the fund raiser vs. the other candidates?
Now the answers
Father Leif:
1. “The song I would choose to wake up to if the band came to my window, would be, “Oh when the Saints go marching in”. Even if the Band does not know this one it would be good to learn it in case they find themselves in New Orleans at Mardi Gras.”
2. “The band instrument I would be would be a clarinet because it can be funny or serious with steeling the attention.”
3. “The oldest item in my closet is an island shirt that alas does not get worn often enough.”
4. “The uniforms of the band should be a bright gold and classy so as to dazzle the listener and mesmerize the audience.”
5. “I know that you have a need to give and that the band is a great and worthy cause but would you mind putting the money in the canister next to mine so that they won’t wake me up and besides their face is much prettier that mine.”
Carl Fruechte
1. “Our school song.”
2. “Trumpet, and the reason why is to get ready for practice.”
3. “My football jersey from high school.”
4. “Black and gold.”
5. “Because they work very hard, and they bring great atmosphere to games ,they are a big part of our school.”
David Earp
1. “Any song would do. I leave it up to the band’s discretion.”
2. “A bassoon, because that’s what I played in college. However, a fugelhorn would also be nice because there are few parts written for this instrument therefore, I would not have to work so hard. I am retired you know.”
3. “A necktie. It was part of a uniform worn while I was playing in a dance band (Manu Tenhoff Orchestra) 52 years ago when I lived in Mankato.”
4. “Consistent with the school colors. A tuxedo type of uniform would be nice.”
5. “If you don’t vote for me, then someone else would get the pleasure of the early morning wake-up which, if the rumors I’ve been hearing are correct, would consist primarily of a very loud and exuberant percussion emphasis and is proposed to be performed very early in the morning. On second thought, vote for someone else as I like to sleep in most days. Which ever candidate you may choose, please vote “generously,” as the contributions are going to a most worthwhile and much needed cause. Thank you.”
Ron Helmers
1. “Anything from John Phillip Sousa.”
2. “A drum. I always like it when others march to my beat.”
3. “I have a pair of jeans that my dad used to wear. I’ve had them for eighteen years and they still fit.”
4. “Vegas gold and black. Why should be obvious.”
5. “I do not know who the other candidates are, but vote for the one that you would like to wake up early.”
Chelsea McManimon-Moe
1. “Hey Baby.”
2. “A saxophone because people always look pretty cool when playing them.”
3. “My baby outfits-I guess my mom didn’t want me running around naked.”
4. “I think white with gold trim looks nice and that way they won’t die of heat stroke during their parades.”
5. “You should place your money in my bucket because not only are you waking me up, but you also wake up my parents and dog, and a couple houses near by.”
If you would like to contribute but aren’t able to make it to one of the business locations, donations can be mailed to: Music Boosters Wake Up Call 825 Warrior Avenue Caledonia, MN 55921.
You can contact Daniel McGonigle at
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