The Oswego High School band department is putting on their annual “Bandcakes” fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 16, in the cafeteria. Breakfast foods will be served at the event to raise money, alongside various means of entertainment – all for $8 at the door.
Everyone is welcome to come along and take part in the event in the lunchroom. A wide variety of breakfast meals and refreshments will be served, made up of all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.
“It’s a really good way to just get some good food for really cheap,” sophomore Abraham Ortiz said.
Attendees won’t just be served with the most important meal of the day – a lineup of performances are also scheduled, including appearances from the jazz bands, solo performers, the step teams, and even some choir pieces. There will also be a raffle.
“There’s tickets to the Paramount, lunch with the mayor, and even some baskets from [local businesses],” said Band Director Ms. San Roman.
Budget issues are definitely not a new topic that is being discussed in the Oswego community. Fear within student groups are forming with concern that programs they are involved in may be in the cut.
“With our band program getting bigger and bigger, it’s tough for the district to keep up with it financially,” Band Director Mr. Kevin Schoenbach said. “This event gives us an opportunity to earn a little bit of extra money.”
The Band Boosters, a group of parents striving to fund the program, put together the event to pay for components such as clinics and new instruments. There are 340 band students in the program this year.
Preparation for the occasion has been long underway. The jazz ensembles are getting ready to perform, with music that ranges from Disney, jazz, rock, and classical. Ortiz’s jazz band has been rehearsing for weeks.
“I feel good about them. I mean, there’s this song that me and my band are trying to get down. But I have faith in us,” Ortiz said.
Tickets can also be purchased ahead of time for $7 in the band room.
Mr. Schoenbach and Ms. San Roman can be contacted for any further questions – and don’t be shy to check out the fliers posted around the building. For future updates on OHS bands, the program hosts at a website at ohsband.org.
“I’m really excited, it is one of the highlights of our year,” Schoenbach said.
Hey, I’m Riah, and I’ve been on staff for 42Fifty before it was really 42Fifty. I’ve been making videos for Oswego High School journalism since freshman year, and it has been great watching the program grow. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a workaholic obsessed with my video and film work. I’m excited to be an Editor-in-Chief for my senior year.
