Unfortunately, we are going to have to cancel this year’s Golden Invitational. The field is simply not going to be ready, and we do not have an option for moving the date (we did work on that possibility).
We DO still have a planning meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday, and it is very critical that as many parents attend this meeting as possible.
A LOT of work has already gone into the show, and we need to discuss some possibilities of ways we may be able to leverage that work into something else.
We also frankly have to start working on some alternative plans for raising money – losing the September home games and Golden Invitational puts a major dent in our revenue stream.
So we have LOTS to talk about, and I hope everyone who’s been coming can come on Monday, and if you haven’t been coming to those meetings, please join us if at all possible.
We already have a possible thought on what to do with ads, as well.
A couple of things:
- Please understand that this is NOT a school based issue. Dr. Finkbiner has been working really hard to do whatever he could to get things working. This is an issue that doesn’t affect just the band. Losing the home games impacts athletics, athletic boosters, and general school funding. We’re all in the same boat. It’s a district issue, but the brunt of the negative impact falls on our school. It’s very frustrating for all of us. I am actually way beyond frustrated, but our focus needs to be on finding ways to pick up and make things work.
- Although this is not easy for any of us, the thing that has always made me love being the director of the Largo Band of Gold over the years is that whenever things are stacked against us and we think we are facing a disaster, inevitably everyone steps up and finds a way to make good things happen. Some of our best moments over the years have come as a result of some of our darkest times. I don’t know how we’re going to make this year work yet…but I know that ultimately we will find a way. We have a truly amazing group of performers and parents; we’re going to have to put our heads together and find a path. It’s a challenge we were not expecting, but not one that is beyond our capacity to overcome.