The Lancer

The Lancer

The Lancer

Celebrities catastrophic effect on the environment
Joseph Goodnight, Opinion Editor • March 27, 2024

With our current understanding of the climate crisis, it’s safe to say that everyone is trying to be more sustainable for the sake of the environment,...

Lancer-to-Los Robles volunteer system stays strong
Lancer-to-Los Robles volunteer system stays strong
Gemma Spraggins, Assistant News Editor • March 27, 2024

Los Robles Regional Medical Center benefits from the varied talents and experiences that volunteers offer, ranging from high school students...

Time T.O. Vote
Time T.O. Vote
Kailah Spencer, The Lancer Staff • March 27, 2024

Senior Maya Campo turns 18 in April, and she is ready to make her voice heard this November. As the presidential primary election nears, seniors...

Going Digital: The SAT’s New Normal
Going Digital: The SAT’s New Normal
Kailah Spencer, The Lancer Staff • March 27, 2024

Many Lancers students are familiar with the SAT; a paper test with over a hundred questions of varying difficulty. Now, CVUSD is introducing...

Around the Business Table
Around the Business Table
Julia Pineda-Dominguez, The Lancer Staff • March 27, 2024

The Majors program provides students with the opportunity to speak with mentors in many different careers. The program consists of monthly meetings...

Moreno heads to Washington
Moreno heads to Washington
Aandrea Pineda-Dominguez, News Editor • March 27, 2024

It was finally over. The bell gave its shrieking cry and off went hundreds of students to enjoy their freedom, at least for a moment. For...

TO Acorn With Permission
Lancers lose a forever friend
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • March 27, 2024

Bill Gemberling has worn many hats at Thousand Oaks High: student, teacher, coach, sports announcer. But taxi driver? “I was one of (Brett...

Unexpected La Reina closure leads to transfers
Gemma Spraggins, Assistant News Editor • March 27, 2024

escribing how La Reina families felt upon receiving the news that their school, which opened its doors in 1964, will be closing at the end of...

New MegaMind TV and Movie Sequel Release
New MegaMind TV and Movie Sequel Release
Joseph Goodnight, Opinion Editor • February 20, 2024

In March of this year, Dreamworks is set to release a Peacock exclusive TV show and movie sequel to the beloved 2010 MegaMind movie. The trailer...

In Fastbreak Fashion
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 14, 2024

Lancers lead the way in the second half. The Great Oak Wolfpack came into Thousand Oaks Tuesday night for the CIF quarterfinals and with them...

Perserving in Penalty’s
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 14, 2024

The Lady Lancers traveled to a neutral site in Anaheim to take on the Katella Knights in the second round of the CIF-SS girls soccer playoffs....

Kanye - He's Back at it...or Maybe Not?
Elijah Brown, The Lancer Staff • February 14, 2024

Kanye West's new album “Vultures 1”, many nationwide were skeptical at first about Kanye's new album considering the controversies he has...

It’s Valentine’s, Baby
It’s Valentine’s, Baby
Momo Sonoda, Editor-In-Chief • February 14, 2024

St. Valentine’s Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine, but for others, the holiday marks a day of birth. Junior Chokee Weezer was born...

Health Science Majors Program hosts their senior showcase
Momo Sonoda, Editor-In-Chief • February 12, 2024

Last week, the seniors in Health Science Majors hosted a showcase, featuring various professions that they hope to pursue in the future. At the...

Advancing Again
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 12, 2024

The Lancers left campus during lunch to travel to Temecula for their round two playoff game, and the ride wasn’t enough to stop the Lancers....

TOHS Band Performs in Italy

TOHS+Band+Performs+in+Italy

After only four weeks of minimal practice, 35 students from the Lancer Band travelled to Rome, Italy to perform in a parade on New Year’s day.

On Jan. 1st, the Thousand Oaks High School band had the opportunity to be part of a parade in the streets of Rome. They arrived in Italy on Dec. 27th and left Jan. 4th, and spending the other days sightseeing in famous locations like Florence, Pisa, Vatican City, and Pompeii.

“It was pretty good and I think it was a good opportunity for everyone that decided to go,” sophomore color guard performer Millie Shukla said.

Along with performing with the band, going to Europe in high school was a great cultural education for many students.

“The Italy trip was an experience that allowed students to partake in a cultural immersion that we rarely could in the US,” said junior clarinet player Eadan Dury.

Near the end of the trip, the band even got to meet the European relatives of Mr. Martone, the band director.

“They were so receptive of us and kind that it was really memorable for everyone,” Dury said. “We marched down their village and they had a bagpipe and recorder group perform for us which was really cool.”

In preparation of the performance, the 35 students going on the trip rehearsed from 6:30 to 8pm every Monday for four weeks. Sophomore clarinet player Noeloni Ramiscal noted the difficulties of practicing marching at night and without a full band.

“Not everyone was able to make the rehearsal, so I don’t think we ever practiced with a full band,” Ramiscal said. “And there were times when we practiced marching outside in the freezing cold.”

However, the difficult practices were worth it when it came time to perform in Italy.

“Marching in the Rome parade was different from doing a parade here and I found that experience really memorable,” Shukla said. “The parade route was pretty interesting with many historical sites.”

Also, the parade in Rome was much more relaxed than the American ones the band usually performs in.

“It didn’t feel like an American parade or a normal parade because we were allowed to smile and wave at people,” Ramiscal said.

However, there were some unanticipated difficulties of marching in an old city. The cobblestone streets were smaller than the band was used to and they had to adjust to fit between buildings.

“We had to march on cobbled streets and people that were watching often got really close to the performers,” Shukla said.

Despite these obstacles, most agree that the parade was a lot of fun and a great experience.

“Performing away from home is something most performers have to do and get used to,” Ramiscal said. “The parade was so much fun.”

More to Discover
Activate Search
The Lancer
TOHS Band Performs in Italy