Smoky Hill’s regiment marching band is now looking for new members to add to their family. With approximately over 100 students every year in marching band, it is not hard to find your place and make new friends with similar interests.

Junior Vanessa Rivera, a clarinet player in the marching band, has participated in the Hill Regiment marching band since the fall of her freshman year.

“I love the experiences Marching band allows me to have,” Rivera said. “I think we really are a family and it has allowed me to grow as a person. I have met so many people and friends that make me feel like I am never alone.”

Each year Smoky’s marching band participates in about 15 public performances, including Parades, football games, competitions and of course the homecoming pep assemblies.

“Marching band this year will be doing more events associated with the high school spirit. We will be doing a couple of competitions but the majority will be going to football games, the school pep assemblies, homecoming week, spirit bus, and hopefully the parade of lights,” Rivera said.

The band will have practices every Tuesday and Thursday after school, however the season will start off with rehearsal camps two weeks before the school year starts in August.

“The greatest thing about marching band is the unexpected. You go in thinking about stereotypical high school band but you come out having a totally new perspective,” Rivera said. “Once you go to one rehearsal you begin to understand what it really is about and that is doing your best while having an amazing experience.”

Students who want to register for the Hills Regiment Marching Band must also be enrolled in a band class at Smoky Hill. Students may also receive .5 credit PE waiver.

For any questions students have, you can talk to band teacher Zak Ruffert or email him at [email protected].