The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment Marching Band traveled to Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 12. to compete in the Bands of America Southeast Super Regional competition. This competition is for marching bands who sign up on a first-come, first-served basis, that are located in the Southeast United States. The event occurs annually at the Georgia Dome and the three highest-scoring bands continue on to the national level.

“Out of the 40 bands there, we were expecting to come in in the middle of the pack. But, we actually made finals which is the top 12, we came in 11th in semifinals, and then after the finals performance we bumped up to 9th which was like a shock to us,” Band Director Alex Kaminsky said.

Spectators attend Bands of America to watch the unique and talented marching bands display their hard work and effort. This is the first year that Stoneman Douglas has attended a Bands of America regional since 2004. The band accomplished a lot more than expected, making it into finals at 11th place out of 34 competing bands, and then moving up two places to ninth after their finals run.

“For me, Bands of America was an unforgettable experience. This band has gone through so many obstacles leading up to this event but we preserved and accomplished even more than what we expected,” Assistant Drum Major Brianna Sanchez said.

The Eagle Regiment has around 200 students, who practice about six hours every school week, and then more time during the weekend.

“Making the finals cut is very difficult and certainly not something that a band competing for the first time would get, and this is the first time that Stoneman Douglas has competed at the 5A level which is the most competitive and the largest,” Kaminsky said.