And we thought at 34 years, the Monona Grove Marching Band had the prize for the oldest uniforms sewn up.

Not so, according to Jeff Behrens, Richland Center High School band director. Turns out one of the state's oldest continuous high school bands has uniform pants and hats that are 43 years old -- nine years older than Monona Grove's uniforms. (The jackets are a tad newer at 16 years old).

New duds for the Richland Center band are expected to cost between $50,000 and $60,000 for up to 150 uniforms. So far, the school has raised about $14,000 since they started fundraising in May.

The class of 1952 has started a pledge drive and raised enough money for four uniforms -- $1,600 -- and has challenged every class from 1952 to the present to raise money for two uniforms, Behrens said.

Students, directors and alumni of the Monona Grove Marching Band feel Richland Center's pain.

This spring, the Monona Grove band boosters were able to raise $10,000 to go with the district's $20,000 for 150 new uniforms that debuted during the annual Monona Memorial Day Parade. The uniforms will be on display during halftime shows at Monona Grove football games, including the game on Sept. 12 where the band will thank those who donated for the new uniforms.

Their old uniforms -- navy blue with a white bib overlay made of a heavy wool blend -- were missing buttons, had zippers that no longer zipped and contained fabric that was ripped, stained and faded beyond repair. The new uniforms have a sleeker look and come equipped with suspenders so students won't have to worry about their pants falling down. In the past, some students resorted to duct taping their pants to keep them up.

The Richland Center band is looking at a five-piece wool blend uniform with tuxedo-style pants, suspenders and a jacket, complete with white dickey, military bib overlay and hat with a plume.

The band hopes to have the new uniforms no later than the fall of 2010 when the band celebrates its 100th anniversary, making it the oldest continuous high school band in the state, Behrens said.

According to the Wisconsin Youth Band Directors Association, the life span of a band uniform depends on the material and the frequency with which it is worn and cleaned, although association leaders acknowledged that "34 years is an extremely long time to use the same uniforms."

People can send donations to and memories of the Richland Center band to the Richland School District Foundation, 1996 Highway 14 West, Richland Center, WI 53581.

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