Marching Towards the Olympics

With credos such as “Leadership through Musicianship” and “A Role Model of Excellence”, the Rich South High School Band has set high standards of excellence for themselves. With focused determination, diligence and hard work, they live by these principals and embody their “We are The STARS” motto.

The Rich South Band, located in Richton Park, IL, is under the leadership of “Golden Apple Award Nominee” Mr. Y.L. Douglas, Jr. The program consists of a Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band and Color Guard, which are all award winning ensembles.

For three of the last four years, Rich South has earned the distinction of “Best Band” in the Bud Billiken Parade, which is viewed by over 60 million people nationwide. In addition, the band has been featured on the ABC7 News segment, “Someone You Should Know” and in 2009 was even invited to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Heritage Festival. Just recently, the Rich South Band performed at the welcome ceremony for the president of China during his short stay in Chicago. With so many accomplishments to their name, the Rich South Band is a force to be reckoned with and their reputation has traveled far and wide.

So far, that the entertainment committee for the 2012 Olympic games in London, England, has invited the band to perform during the international games. They are scheduled to perform on three different days throughout the Olympic festivities.

Of the prestigious invitation, the band’s director, Yolandus Douglas said, “This is great, to be invited once is great, but to be invited twice, I’m so excited for the kids.”

With a total of 109 students in the band, 65 are expected to travel to London next summer. Though the goal is to include the entire band, funding the expensive trip makes that difficult. To raise the necessary funds to make this happen, the Rich South Band is currently on a nine month fundraising plan, which includes a popcorn fundraiser with Popcorn Palace. Having just completed their first fundraiser with Popcorn Palace, the band is working diligently to raise the funds they need. The trip is estimated to cost around $4,500 per student, so every donation or sponsorship helps the students achieve this once in a life time dream.

The band has plans to represent each sponsor on their uniforms during their performances and they welcome any support from businesses, churches, groups or individuals willing to donate.
If you would like to make a donation or sponsor a student, please visit the Rich South Band site at: http://www.richsouthband.org/donations/

These young adults, along with their band director, have proven that they truly are STARS, and we look forward to cheering them on during the 2012 Olympic Games!