The New Mexico Lions Band Foundation's
mission is to coordinate and direct the efforts to sponsor an
Honor Band composed of the most talented NM high school band
students. The sponsorship includes raising funds for traveling
expenses by the Band to attend the NM Lions State Convention and
the Lions Clubs International Convention (when feasible).
In June 2003, the NM Lions Honor Band
performed several times at the State Convention in Gallup. The
following month in Denver, the Band performed twice in the
International Parade - once for the Korean Delegation and once
with the NM Lions. Other performances at the Convention were:
for the breakfast Caucus (composed of 8 MD's); at the Convention
Center in concert with the Michigan and Pennsylvania Bands; and
at the Inauguration of Lions President, Dr. Tae-Sup Lee. For
their efforts in the Parade, they received 2nd Place in the Band
Category 2, a great honor for them and NM. Due to the lack of
funding, the Honor Band will not attend the 2006 LCI Convention
in Boston, MA. At a meeting two years ago, the Band Foundation
decided that long range planning is required if funds are going
to be available in the future for attending LCI Conventions. The
next Convention in the continental U. S. is in Chicago, IL, in
2007. Planning has already begun and the support of every Club
in NM will be needed to ensure NM is once again proudly
represented. In the mean time, the Band will be performing a
series of concerts in NM this next year. Dr. Greg Fant, from
NMSU, has done a superb job in leading the Band over the years.
PDG Lee Boyd Montgomery, President of the NM Lions Band
Foundation, has asked NM Clubs to support the Band.