Emma Horton 
Many students at Saint Thomas know about the school’s band but have never thought about joining. However, many don’t know about the perks that come with being a part of the band. From trips to service hours, when in the band, you get many extra advantages. It helps in a number of ways including service hour opportunities. If you’re a female you can also try out for the school’s color guard or twirling, which you don’t need to learn an instrument to join.
About The Band
The Raider Regiment is the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School band. It consists of color guard, twirlers, and musician band members who play an instrument. The color guard and twirlers are called the auxiliary. The whole band performs at every high school football game, whether away or home. Practices for band members are every Tuesday and Thursday after school. They also must attend a week-long camp to learn the basics or teach new people who are joining the band. Seniors who have been in the band for a while have a chance of becoming a drum major. A drum major in a marching band is the leader who helps keep the tempo of the band. They have to attend all events the band takes part in, whether that be parades or games. Our school’s drum major has helped keep the band organized and structured.
Trips
As a group, the band makes trips to various schools and locations. Almost every other week, the band travels to different schools to perform. While competing or performing at games, the band gets to see other campuses and meet new people. Annually, the band tries out for a parade at Universal Studios Theme Park. If they get in, they are able to Universal for a low fee. Band members enjoy these trips very much and make many memories during them.
Service Hours
There are many ways to get service hours though the band. One way is the Friday morning march. Every Friday morning, band members gather in a morning rally that helps get the school excited for the game that evening. Another way to get service hours is by being in the parades. Band members participate in school parades throughout Ft. Lauderdale. Most of them are also after the football season, so they don’t interfere with the game schedule. The last way to get service hours by being in the band is by participating in school events. These include the shows at the homecoming pep rally and at the back-to-school night event. If just getting service hours wasn’t enough, many of the band members enjoy these events, and you might too. As a band member, you can gain a lot of service hours from these and other events.
