By Michelle Colesanti
While a high school band is a great opportunity for students to excel in music and learn to work closely with others, it does take a good amount of money, not provided by the school system, to help fund it.
The Bloomingdale Rajun’ Bull Band will host its third annual Rajun’ Bull Casino Night, A Night At The Bullagio, on Saturday, April 16 from 7-11 p.m. This will be held at The LOFT Event Lounge, located at 711 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon.
Casino Night takes the place of the very popular live auction the band held for many years. Although there is not a live auction at this event, along with all of the games, there will be a silent auction that will include many great items that guests can bid on along with fabulous prizes.
According to band mom, Amy Fluty, “Some of the proceeds from the Casino Night goes to help cover the costs of these trips, uniform maintenance, new instruments, transportation, and many other expenses to keep the program running. I know both my kids have had a really great experience being in the band there. My son graduated last year and my daughter is a junior this year.”
In December 2014 the Rajun’ Bull band made a positive impact internationally when students and chaperones travelled to Rome, Italy for its New Year’s Parade. A few years prior to that, the band also visited London, England. The next planned international trip will take place in 2018 when the band will head to Paris, France.
Closer to home and more to present day, band members are looking forward to their spring trip this April to Nashville, Tenn.
At FBA, which was held at Riverview High School this year, the Rajun’ Bull Band received straight superiors for the 29th year in a row despite the unprecedented heat all the students had to deal with on that day.
Hoping to be good neighbors, the band recently performed at Walmart’s grand opening. The band marched over from the high school and played the fight song at the beginning of the event.
The band welcomes everyone to come out and enjoy Casino Night. Tickets cost $35 per person or $60 for a couple and include drink tickets, gambling chips and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets and table sponsorships are also available. For sponsorship information or tickets, see a BSHS band member or email rajunbullfundraising@gmail.com.
