Saint Louis School was founded in 1846 and the Band was established thirty-eight years later in 1884. In fact, the Saint Louis Band is the oldest band in the state of Hawaii. During the era of the Hawaiian Monarchy, our band performed for royalty such as King Kalakaua, Queen Liliuokalani, Princess Likelike, and Princess Kaiulani. Since then the band has competed in national marching band competitions, the Fiesta Bowl, Tournament of Roses Parade, and participated in the Macyʻs Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Hawaii All-State Marching Band.

This year we have twenty-eight students in the high school band. We really have no middle school band so the two students are mixed in with the high school band. The band only has class three days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays due to the band instructor’s schedule. Iʻve been at Saint Louis since the seventh grade and have been apart of the band every year. It seems like our band is getting smaller and smaller every year. I wouldnʻt want our long tradition of the band to end due to the lack of students. There are things the school could do to get our band program thriving again.

• Having a full-time band instructor, giving students more opportunity to practice and learn their instruments at any time during the week.
• New music thatʻs up to date so it grabs not only the students attention but also the audience.
• Make it an extracurricular activity for Middle School Students, not just high school.
• Have the band compete in competitions with other schools.
• Have separate classes such as marching band, concert band, and drum line to bring a wide variety of students who play different instruments.

Lilly, Vickie. parad02.jpg. . Pics4Learning. 29 Jan 2018