Rotary Club of Petoskey is getting ready for its 4th Annual Diamonds & Denim Event Supporting Petoskey Band Boosters

The Rotary Club of Petoskey is excited to announce the Petoskey Band Boosters is our partner for the 2017 Diamonds & Denim Gala in support of the Public Schools of Petoskey bands.

Proceeds from this year’s fourth annual event will fund major purchases, including replacing aging equipment trailers required for travel to festival competitions and community engagements.

The gala includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, entertainment and silent and live auctions, at the beautiful Lange Center at Bay Harbor Yacht Club on Saturday, September 30, beginning at 6 p.m.

The Petoskey Public Schools Band Program

For nearly 75 years, our community has enjoyed excellence on the field and in the concert halls from our Petoskey bands. Today, more than 600 students participate in grades six through twelve in this fine arts program that continues an unprecedented record of top ratings and best of show honors.

Beginning with the Petoskey Middle School bands, which include 50 percent of the student body, and continuing to the high school Marching Northmen, nearly 300 strong, our program is the standard for which our rival schools measure success.

More than horns, drums and flags, students learn life lessons in teamwork, good sportsmanship and the fruits of practice and hard work. Effective organization techniques are developed as all of the bands are divided into student managed sectional levels.

The high school's bands are renowned with almost 25 percent of the high school student population engaged. Since its first Class A competition in 1976, the Marching Northmen have been honored with 40 years of first place finishes in competition and frequently are awarded overall Grand Champion honors. The Wind Symphony and Concert bands have received festival first division ratings for 60 years, as well. The Jazz and Steel Drum bands compete in numerous events, earning first level ratings, and rave reviews when performing locally, regionally, across the state - and at Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

Starting on September 8, 2017, Rotary Club of Petoskey will be auctioning off a number of fun and unique items to bid on to raise money for the Petoskey Band Boosters - and the more items we have the more money we can raise, so we are asking for your donations, sponsorship and attendance at our live event.