Help Tuscaloosa’s Central High School Marching Falcon Band Beat the Heat

As the Central High School Marching Falcon Band gears up for the upcoming marching band season, they also welcome a new Band Director, Frederick Baptiste.

Taking the helm of one of Tuscaloosa’s legacy-rich marching band programs, Baptiste says he is “honored and proud to be selected to carry on the tradition of great bands here at Central High School while following in the footsteps of great band directors from the past."

To kick off the marching band season, Baptiste has launched a “Water Drive” to help support the student musicians during the season, especially during the months with hot temperatures and humid conditions.

In an on-air interview with Townsquare Media’s Mary K, 92.9 WTUG, he said that the drive is to help alleviate the burden on the “kids to supply themselves with water.” He hopes to collect enough bottled water and sports drinks to “hydrate the students throughout the season, so that that'll be one less thing that they will have to worry about.”

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The band program is accepting donations of hydration, such as bottled water and sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade. This helps ensure that students have access to hydration during outdoor practices and performances.

Anyone who would like to contribute is encouraged to donate now through July 31. Donations can be dropped off at the Central High School band room located at 905 15th St, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401. According to a Facebook post, drop-off times are during “band camp from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and there is staff at the school between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.”

Every donation, large or small, will help support the marching band members as they get ready for another exciting football and competition season.