Jefferson Band Blows Past Goal, Sets Sights on $15,000 and a Bald Director
If you have ever heard the Jefferson Band of Blue perform, you already know it's a group that doesn't do things quietly. Apparently, that same energy applies to fundraising, because the students have absolutely blown past their original goal and now have their sights set on an even bigger number... and a bald director. Let me explain.
The Jefferson High School Band is in the middle of its March-a-thon fundraiser, and things have gone much better than even the band directors expected. The original goal was $7,000, a number Dr. Carl Rowles says the program would typically reach in a week or two. This time, the students reached it in less than 24 hours. They then blasted through their first stretch goal of $10,000, and the fundraiser is now sitting at just over $11,000 as the Band of Blue heads toward a new goal of $15,000.
There is also a little extra incentive for the students to keep those donations coming. When they reached $10,000, the directors agreed to color their hair for the homecoming game; that's now guaranteed. If they reach $15,000, Dr. Rowles has promised to shave his head and color his beard. Based on the way these students have attacked the fundraiser so far, it may be a good idea for Dr. Rowles to start thinking about what color he wants that beard to be. Although, my bet is that classic Jefferson blue.
The March-a-thon itself is a pretty unique fundraiser. Instead of simply asking people to donate to the band, the Band of Blue takes the music out into the community on Monday August 17th, starting at 6pm. The students march along a parade route through a neighborhood that feeds into Jefferson, and people can make a donation to have the band stop and perform right in front of their home. A $50 donation gets you a fight song, while larger donations bring more music. At the $1,000 level, the band will perform a fight song, pep band tunes, and part of its halftime show for the 2026 season. After the march, the evening wraps up with a standstill performance called a "Park & Bark." That happens at Taft Middle School at around 8:30 PM where free will donations will also be accepted. Additionally, Kona Ice will also be available for anyone who wants a sweet treat while enjoying the music.
It's a fun way to raise money, but there's a much bigger purpose behind the fundraiser. Rowles says the mission of the program is to provide “world-class musical opportunities to promote student growth so that they can have success in life.” The money raised through events like the March-a-thon helps turn that mission into something students can actually experience.
One example Rowles shared is the opportunity to bring in Randil Jeffreys, a visual designer who is on staff with the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, a top 10 drum corps. Randil spends a week working directly with Jefferson students, helping them move better and perform better. Those are the kinds of opportunities that can make a tremendous difference for young musicians, but they are also the kinds of opportunities that require additional funding. Successful fundraisers like the March-a-thon help make them possible.
The Jefferson program is also changing the way students can participate in marching band. This year, the school shifted to a volunteer marching band model. Students remain in concert band during the school day, while marching band is added on top of the school day. Rowles says Jefferson is one of only five high school band programs in Iowa operating this way, and the change gives the program more opportunities to teach and develop students throughout the year.
Parents have plenty of ways to get involved as well. The program has an active parent board that works to make families feel welcome and find ways for parents to contribute based on how much time and involvement they are able to offer. Rowles says everyone can get involved and feel welcomed, whether they are able to contribute a lot of time or just a little.
The band is also hoping to reconnect with former students. Jefferson is currently trying to find Band of Blue alumni as the program looks ahead to a special anniversary celebration in 2028. For alumni who once wore the uniform, played the music, marched the field, or traveled with the band, it is an opportunity to reconnect with a program that has clearly meant a lot to generations of students. For more information, make sure to check out the full interview with Dr. Carl Rowles below, and follow the links embedded in this article.
For now, though, the focus is on $15,000. Every additional dollar helps the program continue providing students with experiences that go well beyond learning how to play an instrument. It gives them opportunities to perform, work together, challenge themselves, learn from professionals, and build skills that can stay with them long after they leave Jefferson. If they hit $15K, Jefferson students will get some pretty incredible opportunities while their director gets a very memorable new look.
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Gallery Credit: Johnny Marks