By Staff Reports  

For more than a decade, the uniforms worn by the members of the Pride of Priceville band have supported band members at varsity football games, band competitions, pep rallies and parades. Now, the uniforms have reached the end of their use and band boosters are raising funds to purchase new uniforms as well as prepare for more students to join the program in the coming years.  

The Priceville High School and junior high school band programs are home to more than 170 band students from the fifth to twelfth grades every year, with this number expected increase substantially due to the tremendous growth in Priceville during the next few years. The Priceville Band Boosters are beginning to prepare for the growth ahead.  

The material of the current uniforms is damaged, zippers are breaking, and buttons are tarnished, according to a letter sent to parents last month. The band does its best to care for these uniforms, but they get a lot of wear and tear on long bus rides and exposure to heat, humidity and rain at games and parades.  

“We repair, rotate, and patch uniforms as much as possible, but issues are multiplying. Broken or snagged zippers often occur at football games and competitions requiring students to be safety pinned into their jacket or pants to perform. Uniforms are designed to last 10-15 years,” the letter read. “This means that if you have a child currently in middle school, the uniform they will receive when they are at PHS will be well past their shelf life.”  

The cost of one new uniform is approximately $500. The band needs 100 uniforms bringing the total cost to $50,000.  

Rep. Parker Moore (R-Decatur) secured a grant that will cover 60 percent of that goal. To make up the difference, Priceville band boosters are raising funds to order the uniforms before the end of next month.  

Opportunities to contribute include:  

• Traditions Bank Uniform Account: Stop by any time and donate any amount to the Uniform Account at Traditions Bank. Traditions is located at 380 Hwy 67 in Priceville.  
• Uniform Sponsorship Program: Sponsorships include $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000. Sponsors listed on show shirts, at the concession stand and on the band Facebook pages. Contact Temon Brown or a booster officer for more information.  

The band held a Christmas Concert Silent Auction in December that raised more than $2,000 for the cause.  

For tax-deductible donations, please contact Temon Brown or a band booster officer prior to contributing.