Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944
Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944
The Ecorse MIghty Marching Raiders are hoping to raise enough funds to march in parades in New Orleans during Mardi Gras next month.
45 Ecorse students participate in Marching Band.
Lord'Amani Cooper (left) is in his second year a band director with Ecorse Public Schools.
The Ecorse High School Marching Band, the Ecorse Mighty Marching Raiders, have been invited to participate in parades during Mardi Gras in New Orleans in February. Mr. Lord'Amani Cooper is in his second year as the school's band director and has succeeded in gaining the band some recognition as they perform at football games around the area, and even in Canada.. The band recently played as an opening act for the performance of the UniverSoul Circus in Detroit. In September, the Ecorse Mighty Marching Raiders took second place at Music Through The Street's Annual Battle of the Bands in Cleveland. The invite to perform in New Orleans is not a competition, but Cooper says he always wants the band to be its best when in front of an audience. The trip is scheduled for February 15-21.
Also part of the plans for a trip to New Orleans is for the 45-member marching band to have an opportunity to visit four HBCUs, notably Alabama State University, Tennessee State University, Lane College, and Xavier University in New Orleans. A graduate of Kentucky State University, Cooper says, "I want to give my kids that experience and that exposure of things that lie beyond the city of Ecorse, beyond downriver, to see the opportunities that HBCUs can provide for them."
But a trip to New Orleans comes with a price tag and Cooper is asking for the support of friends, fans, family, and the community to make the dream of marching as a band during Mardi Gras a reality. Fundraising has been ongoing and Cooper does not want his students to miss out on this opportunity, all while showing off their talents. He wants the trip to help students understand the myriad of educational offerings available to them. A Vertical Raise online fundraiser is available to make a donation until January 31; find a link on the district's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Ecorse.Public.School/ or go to https://verticalraise.com/.../raiders-to-new.../f/625500/.... A Cash App is also available to donate using the cashtag $Ecorsemmr.
On Tuesday, January 31, Applebee's Allen Park restaurant will donate 20% of your total dining bill to the band's efforts when you mention you want to support the Ecorse Mighty Marching Raiders. The donation can be used on dine-in or carry-out between 4 and 9 p.m. Applebee's is located at 23099 Outer Drive.
A graduate of River Rouge High School, Cooper explains that he takes academics seriously and in order to be part of the marching band, students must maintain a 2.7 GPA. While attending Kentucky State University, he marched with the university's band as drum major himself and graduated with honors. The
lessons he learned as part of a marching band is what he hopes to pass on to his students. He adds, "I've been seeing the impact and the growth of these young minds and these young individuals using music as a tool to become a better leader, a better individual, and a better citizen overall."
The band will also be accepting donations for the trip of items such as snacks, drinks, and bottled water. To find out more, go to the Ecorse Public Schools Facebook page or call 313-294-4750.
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