The University of Wisconsin varsity band will be coming to Clintonville for a two-hour show in April.
Countless hours of work will go into the show, however, long before director Michael Leckrone leads the band into Clintonville High School, 64 W. Green Tree Road.
Hosted by the Clintonville Lions and Rotary clubs for their 11th annual joint Entertainment Night fundraiser, the band will perform at 7 p.m. April 5 in the fieldhouse.
“There is quite a buzz going on in and around Clintonville for the UW band’s appearance,” said Lowell Easley, chairperson of the committee organizing the event. “Our ticket selling sites reported that people are saying that seeing the band here is going to provide a more intimate and personal experience than in other venues without having to travel a long distance.”
Planning for the event began last June when each club appointed three members to serve on a committee. Lions Lance Bagstad, Brian Lange and Easley met on July 1 with Rotarians Candi Huber, Jamie Lane and Michelle McAuly.
“There are so many details to putting on a successful show and fundraiser,” Easley said. “It is not just a matter of booking an event and then hoping people will show up.”
In August, the committee decided the UW band was at the top of its list of potential entertainers and contacted the university.
Darin Olson, UW band assistant director, advised the committee of the requirements that would have to be met to host the band, including a guaranteed payment to the band’s alumni association, transportation costs and food for the band’s 170 members. Contracts were signed in early October.
Posters and tickets were printed by Todd Lukoski and his Clintonville High School graphic arts department. The committee also planned 30,000 fliers, plus press releases, cable television notices and letters to area churches. An anonymous donor agreed to sponsor radio advertising.
Letters were sent to area businesses and industries to recruit partner sponsors.
“The costs to bring the UW band here are considerable,” Lange said. “These partner sponsorships will ensure an enjoyable evening of entertainment for all attending as well as a successful fundraiser.”
Group discounts were offered to area school band programs, and are still available.
“Michael Leckrone and the showmanship he brings to directing and the UW band’s performance enthusiasm is a great learning experience for middle school and high school band members,” Clintonville High School Principal Lance Bagstad said.
The committee worked with the school district to determine about 700 parking spots will be available in the high school, middle school and Dellwood lots for the show. Parking attendants will man the lots, and there will be a shuttle service available from the middle school and Dellwood lots.
“Our goal from the beginning in July has been to provide Clintonville and area communities a quality show experience that will long be remembered,” Easley said. “In addition, we wanted a show that would attract a large audience, as funds raised are important to both the Lions and Rotary for carrying out their respective community service projects.”
Proceeds of the event will be used by the Lions and Rotary clubs to fund their community service projects. Projects include handicap ramp construction and installation, youth exchange program, end-of-the-year eighth-grade breakfast, senior graduation banquet, college scholarships, Badger State Boys and Girls, vision screenings, student-of-the-week recognition, educator-of-the-year recognition, dictionaries to third-graders, sight/hearing assistance and citizen volunteer service recognition.
Funds generated from the fundraiser are also donated to the Clintonville Historical Society, the annual Clintonville Goodfellows Christmas collection and distribution, and the Clintonville chapter of Beat The Heat.
In addition, funds raised go to support the Lions Camp for the blind and visually impaired in Rosholt, and also for national and international relief efforts.
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