Porterville, California sits in the shadows of the Sequoia National Forest and at the edge of the vast range of orchards and ranches of the Central Valley. It is also the home of a power-house high school band program known as the Porterville Panther Band.
Over 250-strong, the band is renown for it’s precision parade routines, flashy field shows and powerful concert programs and includes a legendary drill team and a guard known as The Orange Blossoms. The band program is led by Jim Kusserow, himself a graduate of the Panther Band program. The drill team and Orange Blossoms are directed by Lynn Enos, herself a former teacher at Porterville. A keen sense of legacy is up-held in all that Mr. Kusserow and Ms. Enos do.
Stanbury Uniforms is proud to count this premier band program as a long-time client. We asked Mr. Kusserow about the program and their commitment to Stanbury Uniforms. He shares his thoughts here:
As a former member of the Porterville Panther Band, and the current director, I can attest to the quality, style and durability of Stanbury uniforms. My former instructor and predecessor the late great Frank "Buck" Shaffer was a Stanbury devotee, and I have to agree that the uniforms that Stanbury creates for us are the best.
Durability and function are very important aspects we look for when picking uniforms. With Stanbury, the buttons don't fall off, the colors remain vibrant year after year and they hold up to repeated alterations very well. There have been only two band directors at Porterville High School since 1953, Buck Shaffer and myself. During that 56 year span - which includes six Tournament of Roses parades, performances at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Arlington National Cemetery, and many professional football games - we have always worn Stanbury uniforms.
The Panther Band is one built on the philosophy that every student gets out of it what he or she gives to the program. We travel around the country frequently and every student does his or her share to earn their way. We achieve musical excellence through this dedication to the program, in which each student contributes all that they are able. This attitude of working toward a common goal gives the students a very positive attitude and motivates them to try their hardest. They accept challenges eagerly, and respect the long successful traditions of the band. We also stress love and respect of our great country and this is one reason we travel to the East Coast every four years.
We will continue doing what has been successful for us and travel around the country performing in great concert halls and in major parades. Next summer we are returning to Carnegie Hall twenty years after Buck Shaffer took the band in 1990. It is also my 20th year leading the Panther Band, and I am very proud to have continued the great superior traditions which began with Buck Shaffer over 50 years ago.
Thanks, Mr. Kusserow. Stanbury Uniforms recently celebrated our 90th year providing the highest quality uniforms. Porterville High School has been with us for nearly two-thirds of that time!
The Stanbury Uniforms family congratulates the Porterville Panther Band on another great marching season and wishes them luck in preparation for their return to Carnegie Hall.
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