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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2020)
8 La Grande Pride March 2020 • www.lagrandesd.org MARCHING IN STYLE LG High School band dons new uniforms By Trish Yerges La Grande High School Band Director Chris Leavitt announced that this school year, his marching band is performing in their new custom-made DeMoulin band uniforms. “We have been trying to get new uniforms since about 2012, and we didn’t have a lot happening in that direction,” said Leavitt. “However, two years ago, the parents of two freshman band members wanted to form a committee and get that process going. Those two parents were Tressa Seydel and Heather Null.” Leavitt met with Seydel and Null, and they started a committee. They met and decided the type of uniform they wanted, whether that was traditional or modern, what kind of fabric they wanted, the design and the longevity of the uniform. “We put it out to bid to three different companies, asking for their designs after telling them what we were looking for,” he said. “We had it narrowed down to two different designs, two different companies, and it came down to materials and appearance. We chose DeMoulin.” DeMoulin Brothers and Company is located in Greenville, Illinois. Found- ed in 1892, the business today focuses on sewn uniforms for music perfor- mance groups like marching bands. LHS had purchased uniforms from DeMoulin be- fore, about 20 years ago for $30,000, but those uniforms were now falling apart, and the band was long overdue for new ones. “We seem to have a tra- dition that every 20 years we replace uniforms rated to last 10 years,” he said. “Somehow in La Grande we make them last twice as long. We take very good care of them.” Consequently, Leavitt and the committee were ea- ger to meet with the repre- sentative of DeMoulin, who flew out and drove to La Grande, bringing with him a mock uniform to show the committee. The rep walked them through various pro- cesses involved in choosing the right uniform to meet the band’s needs. “He was awesome,” said Leavitt. “His customer service, the personal touch really helped us solidify going with that company.” The band parents started an aggressive fund raising campaign and created a 26-page proposal and pre- sented it to Superintendent George Mendoza during his first year, and to the Tigers Boosters and Soroptimists, who wanted to support the band. Leavitt was deeply appreciative for the help of Seydel, Null and the com- mittee, along with the help of the band boosters and the community at large, who were able to raise $75,000 in just six months for new band uniforms. “That’s a phenomenal feat,” he said. The band program has both grown in size and com- munity performances and other things, so the previ- ous 100 uniforms they had no longer met their needs. Leavitt wanted some room to grow so he requested 125 new uniforms. The new uniforms have the logo of the school dis- trict on the left breast pock- et, and they have modern, creased pants called vents. The vents have 20 snaps on the inside legs to allow for auto hemming, so there is no need for sewn hemming anymore. The jackets have the same feature in the sleeves. As a result, each uniform can be snapped to fit uniquely to each stu- dent’s arm and leg length. The new uniforms are modern, sleek and still have a traditional look. All of these uniforms are hand sewn and hand designed. They are made of dry-clean- able fabrics, which the committee felt were more professional looking than the machine washable style. “I’ve worn the old uni- forms when I was in the program back in the early 2000s,” Leavitt said. “I’ve got to see these kids in their new uniforms, and they enjoy them.” The new uniforms have capes as well as new, more modern designed shakos (hats), and the plumes are bigger and more vibrant. Each student has a brand new pair of marching shoes, a pair of odorless socks, gloves, a poncho, uniform garment bags and hat box- es. “We got everything,” he said. “DeMoulin took care of our every need.” DeMoulin sent out a team of designers, and they personally fitted them to each of the band members. continued on page 10
