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MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI – The Muskegon community’s highly anticipated piece of public art is set to be dedicated this week to honor the legacy of Muskegon Heights High School’s marching band.
The Muskegon City Public Art Initiative announced last October it was in the planning and development stages for its seventh public art project, this one destined for Muskegon Heights.
“Band Together,” consists of a 12-foot-tall, bronze sculpture of a Muskegon Heights Public Schools Marching Band drum major in the full-color uniform originally designed by Floyd Cook Jr., the first African American drum major for Muskegon Heights.
It is set to be installed on Friday, Oct. 20, as part of the Rowan Park renovation on West Broadway Avenue. The public is invited to be part of the celebration along Broadway and Baker Streets at 4 p.m.
RELATED: New public art installation to honor Muskegon Heights marching band’s legacy
“It’s significant work — the first actual piece of public art the Heights have had,” said Judith Hayner, project director for Band Together. “It really is a celebrating not only the accomplishment of the sculpture but the Tiger Pride the Muskegon Heights Marching Band represented for so many decades.”
Former band directors Robert Moore and Albert Meerzo will also be honored during the dedication to pay tribute to the Muskegon Heights Marching Band, which honed its style of marching from Black colleges since 1921.
The sculpture was created by Muskegon-native bronze sculptor, Ari Norris, who also created “Muskegon’s Own Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” near the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum and a Doris Rucks tribute sculpture at Muskegon Community College.
Hayner said she hopes the community finds the sculpture inspirational, further motivating locals to rejuvenate their music programs.
“I hope that this can help people remember those days and that time when their kids were given those opportunities and that they can try to figure out how to make that happen again,” she told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle.
Signage representing the Muskegon Heights Marching Band story from 1926 forward, along with major donors to the project, will also be installed at Rowan Park.
The budget for the project is $195,000, which includes the original bronze sculpture, footings, foundation, lighting, donor recognition signage, installation equipment and labor.
Hayner said the outpouring of donations was significant, allowing the project to be completed on time.
“Once we had the idea, the outpouring of support for this was so quick,” she said. “I think everyone is really excited about it, and I am very proud of that. I think Muskegon Heights should be proud of that.”
The dedication of Band Together at Rowan Park is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20.
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