Fundraising drive aims to send Cape Central students to music festivals in St. Louis, New York

The Cape Central Marching Tigers practice Thursday, Aug. 16, at Cape Central High School ahead of their first show of the season.

Courtesy of Cape Girardeau Public Schools

Cape Central High School’s marching band, wind symphony and concert choir are raising funds to attend two festivals during the 2024-25 school year.

The Cape Central Marching Tigers will have the opportunity to compete in the Bands of America Super Regional in October at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. Seventy-one schools, including Central, have been invited to compete from Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

“We know that we're kind of a small fish going into this, but it's a good experience for our program to look at other schools and to see what's possible,” Cape Central band director Josh LaMar said. “To see that they have ways to go, but they can keep growing in our program.”

The wind symphony and concert choir will travel in April to New York for the 2025 Big Apple Classic Music Festival. During the trip, students will have the opportunity to perform on stage, receive comments on their performance from adjudicated professionals and participate in a mini-clinic. In addition to performing, students can tour several of the city’s landmarks — including Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum — and attend a Broadway show.

“Part of what we do with these trips is they’re used for recruitment and retention,” LaMar said. “We try to keep excitement in our program. We don't want stagnation. What's unique about the band program and the orchestra program at Central is that we start our kids in seventh grade, and if they stay with us, they’re with us for six years. We like to give our students a vision of what the next year or two will look like, and keep them excited about our program.”

In an effort to not leave any student out, LaMar is encouraging local business leaders to provide tax-deductible donations in hopes of raising $40,000 to help make the trips more affordable. The amount would cover several aspects of the trip, including charter bus rentals, travel expenses and hotel costs.

“They're giving back to the students and the families that live here and spend their money in Cape Girardeau,” LaMar said. “A lot of our students won't move away after they graduate. A lot of them will stay in this community, and I just think it's thinking long-term for our community's future.”

For more information, or to inquire about donating, contact LaMar via email at lamarj@capetigers.com or call (573) 519-0692.