Your Donations Keep
The Music Playing and the Flags Twirling!

BAND TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER RAINED OUT

The 30th annual Vista Invitational Field Tournament was a casualty of the storm that soaked North County Saturday, November 12. Heavy rain washed out more than half the field shows of the 33 high school bands from across Southern California slated to perform. It also poured cold water on the Vista High School Band & Pageantry Corp’s leading fundraising event, leaving the group short $18,000 in funds counted on to cover expenses for the remainder of the year.

Some bands took the field in the downpour during the morning. But as the day wore on and heavy rain continued, band directors concerned about ruining expensive instruments and uniforms withdrew from the competition. The tournament was called in the late afternoon.

175 volunteers, along with 130 band and pageantry students, worked through the rain to support the groups that performed. But the 3000 spectators that typically attend the tournament were missing. Food and beverage sales account for the major revenue from the event. The funds raised pay for instructors, music, tournament entry fees, instruments and transportation costs. These are expenses not funded by the school – which is where the Vista Band Boosters step in.

“We were so impressed by the dedication of our volunteers and students who were soaking wet, but continued working to support the performers,” said Vista Band Booster President Phil Pizzuto. “This 30th anniversary was a special milestone for the Band & Pageantry as well as the Boosters, who together have brought a high quality event to the community year after year.” Field shows performed by these groups demonstrate a combination of precision movement, visual effect and musicianship.
In an effort to salvage some community benefit from the event, the Boosters donated a large amount of prepared and perishable food to Brother Bennos soup kitchen.

Without the revenue from the tournament, the Boosters will have to redouble their fundraising efforts for the rest of the year to cover the expenses of the band and pageantry, said Pizzuto. “We already do fundraising year-round, with students and parents working the concession stand at football games, selling discount cards for local businesses door-to-door, hosting restaurant nights and spaghetti dinners. This revenue loss is going to test our limits.” The Boosters’ budget for this year is $171,000 which is generated through family contributions and direct fundraising.

Anyone wishing to help the Vista Band & Pageantry may contact Booster President Phil Pizzuto at president@vistaband.org or send a check or money order to

VHS Band Boosters
P.O. Box 1227
Vista, CA  92085-1227
Vista Regimental Band and Pageantry Corps is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Tax Identification Number 95-3822163