Yukon band holding fundraiser to obtain instruments for Geary High School band

UPDATE: During Yukon High School's fundraiser for the Geary Band Program, the school received 17 instruments and collected $503.

Instruments collected

1. 6 flutes
2. 4 trumpets 
3. 3 clarinets
4. 3 trombones
5. 1 sax

**Original story**

Yukon High School is stepping up to help students in the Geary Band Program after a devastating fire destroyed their band room and all the instruments inside. The fire, which has been ruled accidental, left the Geary students without the essential equipment needed to finish the school year.

On Saturday, during an annual fundraiser hosted by Yukon High School, donations are being collected to replace the lost instruments. The event, which includes a color guard competition featuring over 50 middle school teams from across the state, serves as a fundraiser for YHS’s band program, but this year, part of the focus is on helping their fellow musicians from Geary.

“We thought it would be a great opportunity to raise some money to help them out,” said Joe Dewey, President of the Yukon High School Band Boosters Association. “It just broke our hearts when we saw what happened to them and knowing the end of the school year that was just the worst time for this to happen, we really wanted to reach out and help them out.”

During the fundraiser, thousands of spectators attended the competition, many donating cash or instruments.

“It really just highlights how special these high school kids are and the families that support them just seeing everybody come together and be really excited about this opportunity to help out another band program,” Dewey said.

Allison Smith, a senior color guard member at YHS says helping fellow band members touched her heart.

“We’re all here because we love one thing, and that’s performing,” said YHS Senior Allison Smith. “We’re all one big family, even if we all compete, we all just want to be there for each other because we all love the same thing.”

If you missed the fundraiser, donations are still being accepted at The Oklahoma Counseling Group, 416 Mustang Road B, Yukon, OK 73099.

Here is a list of what is needed for the Geary ‘s 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade bands.

Instrument/Equipment in need:

High School Band:

1. 5 flutes
2. 2 clarinets
3. 1 bass clarinet
4. 2 alto sax (I have a Bari sax player, but was saved from the fire due to repairs)
5. 1 trumpet
6. 1 tuba
7. 1 concert snare + stand
8. 1 concert/marching bass drum + stand
9. Triangle w/ beater
10. Tambourine
11. Suspended cymbal
12. Crash Cymbals
13. Brake drum or metal mic stand (for Shadowfire if y’all know)
14. Chimes
15. Xylophone or marimba or bell kit
16. 3 Timpani

6th grade:

1. 1 flute
2. 2 trumpets
3. 1 snare
4. 1 bell kit
5. 1 bass drum
6. 1 piano (might have to move this student to the percussion section)
7. 30 music stands

7th grade

1. 2 trumpets
2. 1 baritone
3. 1 snare (can be the same as the concert snare)
4. 1 bell kit with stand
5. 1 bass drum (can also be the same as the concert bass)

8th grade:

1. 1 alto sax
2. 1 trumpet
3. 1 baritone (can be the same as the other baritone but would need two mouthpieces or cleaning solution which I can get)
4. 1 trombone
5. 1 snare (can be same as above)
6. 1 bell kit (same as above)