The Mid-Carolina Rebel Regiment marching band is marching to the beat of a new school year.
This year, the band has a theme of The Samurai Code which should provide for some music from the other side of the world at the home football games.
Of course, the marching band is not just performing for the audience at home games, although their presence helps to keep up the spirit at games.
They also perform for competitions which are throughout the year and there are also regional and state competitions in which band members hope to not only do well in but place first.
Home football games may be seen as practice time for these competitions and also the marching band practices two to three days a week, in addition to any personal time that the band members put in for themselves.
The band receives much support from the parents, as there is a band booster club for the parents.
The parents set great examples by being supportive and helping out with uniforms, driving buses, moving equipment and just providing listening ears, according to Mid-Carolina’s band instructor Jed Thomas.
Of course, the band also receives support from the teachers and other staff and as Thomas says, there are too many supporters to list who provide time, money and support.
Since the band spends plenty of time together, a family like bond is bound to form.
Thomas says, “We spend many hours together, working together for a common goal through blood, sweat and tears (creating) an environment of success and producing memories that last a lifetime.”
Being a band member does help in many aspects of the student’s life, Thomas points out.
There is discipline, creativity, problem solving capability and the ability to think outside the box that Thomas points out is instrumental with being in band.
“It gives students an understanding of the world around them,” says Thomas.
Since instruments are expensive, students may either buy their own or use what the school provides, according to Thomas.
For more information about the band’s competition dates or how to help out the band, contact Thomas at 364-2134.
Post a Comment
