05 June 2026
Around The Cracker Barrel - Marching Toward History: Sahuarita's Journey to America's 250th Celebration (Aired 06/05/2026)
Around the Cracker Barrel
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The Sahuarita Mustang Marching Band is preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as they travel to Philadelphia to participate in the Salute to Independence Parade celebrating America's 250th Anniversary. On this week's Around the Cracker Barrel, Guy Atchley speaks with Director of Instrumental Music Ben Garland, Music Booster Lara Ludwick, and Drum Major-elect Durham Curtis about the band's journey to becoming Arizona's sole school representative in this historic national event.
The conversation highlights an incredible community-wide fundraising effort that has raised more than $208,000, allowing every student who wanted to participate to attend regardless of financial circumstances. Local businesses, civic organizations, schools, elected leaders, and individual donors all played a role in helping the band reach this milestone. The guests discuss the challenges of transporting instruments, uniforms, and equipment across the country, as well as the extensive planning required to move 87 students and 32 adults from Southern Arizona to Philadelphia.
Listeners also get an inside look at the music the band will perform, including a special arrangement of Chester, a Revolutionary War-era patriotic song arranged specifically for the group. Durham Curtis shares the excitement students feel as they prepare to perform on a national stage, while Ben Garland reflects on how the experience will inspire future generations of musicians at Sahuarita High School.
The community is invited to attend a special send-off performance on June 24 at 8:00 PM in the Sahuarita High School stadium before the band departs on June 30. The parade itself takes place on July 3 in Philadelphia, giving the Mustang Marching Band the opportunity to showcase Southern Arizona pride before a nationwide audience during one of the country's most historic celebrations.
The conversation highlights an incredible community-wide fundraising effort that has raised more than $208,000, allowing every student who wanted to participate to attend regardless of financial circumstances. Local businesses, civic organizations, schools, elected leaders, and individual donors all played a role in helping the band reach this milestone. The guests discuss the challenges of transporting instruments, uniforms, and equipment across the country, as well as the extensive planning required to move 87 students and 32 adults from Southern Arizona to Philadelphia.
Listeners also get an inside look at the music the band will perform, including a special arrangement of Chester, a Revolutionary War-era patriotic song arranged specifically for the group. Durham Curtis shares the excitement students feel as they prepare to perform on a national stage, while Ben Garland reflects on how the experience will inspire future generations of musicians at Sahuarita High School.
The community is invited to attend a special send-off performance on June 24 at 8:00 PM in the Sahuarita High School stadium before the band departs on June 30. The parade itself takes place on July 3 in Philadelphia, giving the Mustang Marching Band the opportunity to showcase Southern Arizona pride before a nationwide audience during one of the country's most historic celebrations.