Buccaneer Marching Band Will Represent Homestead Nationally

South Dade Senior High School Marching Band, known as the Buccaneer Marching Band, is invited to participate in Washington, D.C., at a nationwide music competition next March.

South Dade Senior High School has a rich tradition of strong band programs dating back to the school’s opening in 1953 and “has become one of the most rewarding activities the school has to offer. It is a place where students learn values and standards while depending on one another in their pursuit of excellence,” their Director Mr. Scott Davis told Go! Latinos Magazine.
Recently the band received recognition from Universal Studios Orlando for their outstanding performance at their STARS Program and are invited to participate in Washington, D.C., in a music competition against bands from across the nation.

The Marching Band
The Buccaneer Marching Band is comprised of 42 members, including musicians and color guards—all students between ninth and twelfth grades. It is made up of woodwind, brass, percussion and color guards, and generally performs outdoors at special events such as football games, community events and marching band competitions. “Our members carry out an intense preparation that begins two weeks before the school year when they take part in the band camp and that continues with regular practice up to three times a week for long hours in the afternoon during the school year,” added Mr. Davis.

Visual and Performing Arts Program
What’s unique about South Dade Senior High is the Visual and Performing Arts Program, a magnet program that attracts middle school students that are interested in music and arts, being the only school in South Miami-Dade that has a program of this kind.
Additionally, the program offers the students the possibility of joining the percussion, the symphonic or the jazz band, among others. The Jazz ensemble is the second most visible band in the program after the marching band and often performs at various events around South Florida.
They play different music varieties, from the Big Band Era to mainstream pop. For instance, at the end of the year concert, they will be performing “Locked out of Heaven” from Bruno Mars, their band director told us as a sneak peek.

On their way to Washington
In order to get to Washington, The Buccaneer Marching Band is doing its best to raise funds. “Cost per student is about 700 dollars,” said Mr. Davis, while asking the community to support the fundraising activities they are currently doing.
South Dade Senior High Marching Band is part of this beautiful city; they are part of the development and growth of Homestead, since all its members were born or raised here in our city.
These talented young people need the support of our community to be able to fulfill their dreams and represent us in different venues and events around the country.