The PSHS Spirit of the Sands Marching Band and Visual Corps is on the move again- this time to Rome! They have accepted the invitation to be one of 8 bands from across the United States- and one of three from California- to perform in the New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy. They’ll perform in front of an estimated crowd size of 100,000 people through streets of the historic city center, and will be broadcast to millions on PBS! 

 

This tour represents the 14th international tour for the Spirit of the Sands. While in Rome, they will perform three times- once in the New Year’s Day Parade, once in the town of Frascati on New Year’s Eve, and finally in a historic church in Rome. While there, students will visit historic sites like the Roman Colosseum, Forum, Catacombs, and perhaps most notably, the Vatican City just days before the end of the Jubilee Year (an occurrence that happens every 25 years!).

 

To make this dream a reality for as many students as possible, the Spirit of the Sands is calling on our community for help! The cost of this trip is $3900 per student, which is made even harder on our families in turbulent economic times. 

 

Every donation made is tax deductible through the Palm Springs Instrumental Boosters, and helps show the world a part of our community that is so special. We want to show Rome- and everyone from around the world that watches- what a Palm Springs parade looks, feels, and sounds like. Consider helping!

The goal of the Spirit of the Sands remains steadfast and unchanging- to deliver the utmost in educational opportunities through access to high quality music education and exposure to international travel. It goes without saying that exposure to cultures outside the United States leads to a more globally connected, cultured population of future Coachella Valley movers, shakers, and leaders.  Over 1000 students have realized this goal in the 25 year history of concert tours, a fact that the band program is incredibly proud to boast. 

This year is different, though. The economic situation of a post-pandemic Coachella Valley leaves our families with less margin, deepening the divide between our students that ordinarily have access to opportunities like this, and those who do not. 

It is our feeling that no child should be denied access to opportunity due to financial burden. 

It is for that reason that we call on the community of Palm Springs to help get our members overseas. We are accomplishing this massive fundraising effort in multiple ways- please choose which way or ways you are most comfortable with. All donations are tax deductible and our band boosters' Tax ID number is: #33-0449517

There are numerous ways to support the band, in big ways, and small. If you've seen us in the community, and would like to make a general donation that helps every student equally, please feel free to participate in a the following programs: 

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• GoFundMe

• Program Sponsorship​
   

If you are interested in supporting specific band members' trip fees, consider donating through these programs:

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• Adopt-a-Musician

• SnapRaise
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We are also continuing to fundraise through smaller scale events like concession fundraisers at our home football games, community performances, car washes, and catalog sales. Please visit our calendar to see where we'll be and what we are working on.