Published: November 20, 2008 10:49 pm      

A Day of Music will help band

GEORGETOWN — Several area bands and numerous sponsors will team up to produce a massive musical event that is being called A Day In Music.

Taking place at the Georgetown Community Center, the event will host six bands, karaoke, Guitar Hero contests, custom T-shirts, food and much more. All proceeds going to benefit the Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School Marching Band.

Earlier this year, the marching band submitted a performance video in hopes of winning a national competition to be in Disney’s Parade of Lights. Competing against hundreds of thousands of high school bands across the country, the committee at Disney World selected Georgetown-Ridge Farm. The band’s performance is scheduled in February.

Starting in August, band members began a series of fundraisers to help raise the money that will be required for transportation, lodging and food. Fifty students will go on the Florida trip in addition to several parents and chaperones.

“It costs approximately $800 a child,” said Music Booster parent Janet Smith.

Smith, who has twin daughters in the marching band, came up with the idea of A Day of Music. Since she knew some of the area musicians, she started making phone calls.

As the concept of local bands teaming together to raise money gained momentum, bands and sponsors started jumping on one by one.

“A lot of the members of these bands were high school musicians at one time or another,” said Todd Castleberry, who is helping assemble the event. “They want to give kids opportunities like they had.”

Sponsors came aboard quickly as well. Fat Boy Subs will provide concession while custom T-shirts will be available by Tommy Signs. Radio ads have been sponsored by Bob’s Pet Grooming in Champaign, Georgetown IGA, Julee’s Shooting Star and the 1st National Bank of Georgetown. TVs for the Guitar Hero contests have been donated by Aaron’s Rentals.

“We are getting all kinds of good help,” said Castleberry.

From set up to clean up, Georgetown-Ridge Farm Marching Band members will help with all aspects of the concert. They also will lend a hand at the various booths.

The all-age show will take place Saturday. The doors of the Georgetown Community Center will open at noon with Karaoke by Larry Stevens starting at 1 p.m. At 3 p.m., a variety of bands from rock to blues will perform every hour. Those involved are Deeper Blues, Cheap Sunglasses, PrimeR, A New Blood, Verdict, and Boomslang. There is a $5 cover charge.