Queenslander
24-10-07, 05:29 PM
$500,000 to set up youth marching band
24Oct07
RATEPAYERS will be hit with a $500,000 bill to launch a US-style marching band on the Gold Coast.
In a self-proclaimed Australian first, councillors at yesterday's finance committee meeting agreed in principle to provide emergency funds and start-up fees so the band could perform before the Titans' first match at Skilled Park in March.
Cr Jan Grew, who has been driving the project, said she wanted to establish a Gold Coast youth marching band similar to US high schools and universities.
Cr Grew said a $6000 feasibility study had shown that the council would have to fork out $431,840 over the first three years, including $81,800 for instruments and a start-up fee of $44,825 to support the fledgling group.
The plan comes at a time when the council has been forced to review its capital works budget and funnel cash from emergency funds to keep Gold Coast Water projects afloat.
"The marching band would bring colour and vibrant, creative flair to the city and allow the kids an opportunity of a lifetime," said Cr Grew.
"This early funding is necessary to ensure that within our four-month time frame we can get the group together, have them fitted in their uniforms, which are being ordered from the States, and make sure they're ready for March.
"Our long-term goal for the band is for it to become an incorporated not-for-profit body which would eventually pay back the council."
Following a presentation by John Paul College marching band leader Matt ****ing, who has helped put together plans to secure uniforms and instruments, Cr Dawn Crichlow questioned whether councillors should commit the half a million dollars to a select group.
"We've already got bands on the Gold Coast and they make do with what they've got," said Cr Crichlow.
"I don't understand why so much money is necessary for something like this.
"The Gold Coast Brass Band has operated for years without that kind of funding."
Gold Coast Tourism boss Pavan Bhatia and Gold Coast Titans chairman Paul Broughton have both endorsed the marching band, which would involve 150 Year 9 to 12 students.
Dancers and musicians will be auditioned within weeks if the band gets the green light at next Monday's full council meeting.
Bond University has agreed to provide training facilities and a mentoring program with its US students.
Mr ****ing said most students would have their own instruments and said the extra money would be used to purchase specialised instruments which can sometimes cost up to $6000.
"Instruments like the baritone saxophone and mellophones can cost up to $6000 and we would envisage that they would be loaned out to the students. The drums are also specialised to fit for marching," said Mr ****ing.
"Smaller instruments like flutes would be brought along by the kids."
www.goldcoast.com.au
24Oct07
RATEPAYERS will be hit with a $500,000 bill to launch a US-style marching band on the Gold Coast.
In a self-proclaimed Australian first, councillors at yesterday's finance committee meeting agreed in principle to provide emergency funds and start-up fees so the band could perform before the Titans' first match at Skilled Park in March.
Cr Jan Grew, who has been driving the project, said she wanted to establish a Gold Coast youth marching band similar to US high schools and universities.
Cr Grew said a $6000 feasibility study had shown that the council would have to fork out $431,840 over the first three years, including $81,800 for instruments and a start-up fee of $44,825 to support the fledgling group.
The plan comes at a time when the council has been forced to review its capital works budget and funnel cash from emergency funds to keep Gold Coast Water projects afloat.
"The marching band would bring colour and vibrant, creative flair to the city and allow the kids an opportunity of a lifetime," said Cr Grew.
"This early funding is necessary to ensure that within our four-month time frame we can get the group together, have them fitted in their uniforms, which are being ordered from the States, and make sure they're ready for March.
"Our long-term goal for the band is for it to become an incorporated not-for-profit body which would eventually pay back the council."
Following a presentation by John Paul College marching band leader Matt ****ing, who has helped put together plans to secure uniforms and instruments, Cr Dawn Crichlow questioned whether councillors should commit the half a million dollars to a select group.
"We've already got bands on the Gold Coast and they make do with what they've got," said Cr Crichlow.
"I don't understand why so much money is necessary for something like this.
"The Gold Coast Brass Band has operated for years without that kind of funding."
Gold Coast Tourism boss Pavan Bhatia and Gold Coast Titans chairman Paul Broughton have both endorsed the marching band, which would involve 150 Year 9 to 12 students.
Dancers and musicians will be auditioned within weeks if the band gets the green light at next Monday's full council meeting.
Bond University has agreed to provide training facilities and a mentoring program with its US students.
Mr ****ing said most students would have their own instruments and said the extra money would be used to purchase specialised instruments which can sometimes cost up to $6000.
"Instruments like the baritone saxophone and mellophones can cost up to $6000 and we would envisage that they would be loaned out to the students. The drums are also specialised to fit for marching," said Mr ****ing.
"Smaller instruments like flutes would be brought along by the kids."
www.goldcoast.com.au