Campaign overview:

Last fall, the Lake Washington High School Marching Band returned to the field for the first time in more than 40 years, wearing vintage capes made possible by the generosity of our Kirkland community decades ago.

Thanks to generous donors and grants from Amazon, the LWHS Booster Club, Ignite Kirkland/Kirkland Community Foundation, and the LWHS PTSA, we were able to buy marching instruments AND start this second season with $25,000 in our uniform fund.

Our goal: $50,000 more.

As we start Season 2, the LWHS Band has more than 105 band students -- and we've outgrown our available uniforms. Your gift to Capes for Kangs will help every Marching Kang take the field in a modern, weather-ready uniform that honors our past and inspires our future. Every $500 provides one complete uniform, and every gift brings us one step closer to funding what LW's band program needs most (uniforms, instruments, clinicians, equipment, and inclusive music education). Donate today!

See our Marching Kangs news and schedule at lwhsband.org

History & Details: Capes for Kangs

On September 5, 2025, Lake Washington High School brought back its marching band for the first time since the 1980s.

With only a few weeks to prepare, 85 students stepped onto the field in their own black pants and vintage wool and satin capes discovered in the band closet—beautiful custom pieces the Kirkland community funded back in 1980-81.

THIS YEAR -- school year 2026-27 -- the band is 105+ strong.

With only 110 usable capes in a limited range of sizes, the Drumline is not wearing capes this year. We hope the band grows -- and if so -- next year, we will not have enough uniforms for every Marching Kang.

While the vintage capes look fantastic under the Friday night lights -- after 40 years, there are only 110 that are usable. Among those, sizes are limited, many are worn and fraying, and the satin fabric bleeds purple when wet -- not what we want to wear on wet Seattle nights.

Simply put: To fit our growing band -- we need new uniforms with capes that can withstand whatever the season brings!

Capes for Kangs is our 2026-27 capital campaign to support the future of the LWHS Marching Band. Your donations will help us step onto the field in 2027 in new uniforms that are sized for every student -- are weather-worthy and washable -- with equipment and program support so that every band student can take the field, regardless of financial ability!

Not all heroes wear capes -- some donate to the Marching Kangs!

**Your donations to Capes for Kangs will help fund:**

Modern, weather-worthy uniforms (bottoms, coats, and our signature capes)
With a range of inclusive sizes to dress every band student -- now and as we grow,
In materials that are built to wash -- and to last.
Support our growing programs' needs.

Every $500 donated will help buy 1 uniform with a marching jacket, bibbers (pants), hat, and a cape.

Your gift is an investment that will support a decade of LWHS Marching Kangs performing at game nights, parades, and other events -- with returns on school spirit, entertainment, and community pride.

A full uniform kit is estimated at $500 per student, and the new uniforms will be designed to work with the 1980-81 vintage capes for special occasions. 150 uniforms = $75,000 and shipping is extra. We plan to order the new uniforms by or before February 1, 2027, because of the lengthy manufacturing process.

If you donate now, you will help us reach our goal faster. You will see your gift in play -- from the Celebrate Kirkland parade to the City of Kirkland's Community Appreciation Night to elementary school visits -- and of course, the LWHS stadium.

Our goal: To debut new Marching Kangs uniforms at games and community events by September 2027!

Your donation means every Marching Kang can step onto the field in a uniform that fits, functions, and welcomes them into something bigger than themselves.

Back on the field after 40 years—will you help every Kang wear a cape?

Your tax-deductible donation will help us:

🎷 Purchase new, washable uniform jackets and capes in a variety of sizes to include every band student!

🥁 Buy marching instruments and equipment.

✨ Hire clinicians and support inclusive music education.

🎺 Build a legacy that honors the past and inspires the future.

Lake Washington High School Marching Band is more than just a music program — it's a movement to restore tradition, give our students a stage to shine, and our community a reason to cheer. Whether you’re an alum who remembers the thrill of halftime performances, a parent dreaming of new opportunities for your child, or a neighbor who believes in the power of the arts— your gift will help bring back the beat — and put new capes on every Kang for years to come!

Donate today! Share the campaign! Cheer us on!

Thank you!

Kendra Rosencrans & Ellie Peterson, Co-Presidents

bandpresident@band.lwhsboosters.org | jazzpresident@band.lwhsboosters.org

LWHS Band + Jazz Boosters | www.lwhsband.org

This campaign is sponsored by the LWHS Band + Jazz Booster Club, an organization of parents and community members to support the marching band, band, and jazz programs, and enhance instrumental music education at LWHS. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization through the Lake Washington High School Booster Club (EIN-20-3440935). Your contribution to the Bring Back the Beat: Capes for Kangs campaign is tax-deductible and eligible for employer matching programs.

Capes For Kangs

Be a hero -- donate today!