Ludington Guard Band Foundation

In 1994 the City of Menomonie reduced the funding for the band to zero in response to public unhappiness over the raising of property taxes. The band was one of the visible expenditure of taxes even though it was a minute amount the City's overall budget. An unofficial group known as "The Friends of the Ludington Guard Band" raised enough funds to keep the band playing. The following year the foundation was formed as a charitable, 501(c)(3) corporation to allow supporters to deduct their donations as donations to a charity. Over the years several people have bequeathed the Foundation as recipients from their estates. The City resumed paying part of the Band's expenses, and the Foundation has continued to support unfunded needs of the band. The Foundation has purchased almost all of the percussion equipment, band arrangements, the filing cabinets for the music, uniforms, sound system, and other instruments not typically owned by musicians. 

In 1963, the band received $5,400.00 from the City of Menomonie. Currently the band receives $12,000.00 from the city, while in that time the band has doubled its membership.  

Jeff Rowe, a very popular director of the Band, died in 2004. As a tribute to him the Foundation began awarding summer music scholarships to students in Menomonie and the surrounding area, including Elk Mound, Boyceville, Colfax, Durand, Prairie Farm, and Glenwood City. The scholarships assist as many as 20 students to attend the summer music camps each summer. The goal is to keep the students' cost to no more than $100.00, with the Foundation paying the difference. Most students have attended the Shell Lake music camp. In return, the students are encouraged to play in the Ludington Guard Band sometime in their life. It should be noted the a significant number of the current members of the band have been recipients of the scholarships. 

If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation for support of the band, or in making a bequest from your estate, please contact one of the following officers of the Foundation. 

Larry Jess: 715-505-2265 

Margaret Breisch: 715-235-7124 

John Claire: 715-643-2504