SOTS looks to raise funds for trip to London

As Troy University’s Sound of the South (SOTS) prepares to take off for London at the end of the year, they’re looking to various fundraising ventures to fund their way.

SOTS will be in London from Dec. 28 to Jan. 4 for the London New Year’s Day Parade.

Dr. Jerianne Larson, assistant director of bands and assistant professor of music, shared the importance of the London trip.

“I think it’s wonderful for the students and the school because the Sound of the South is the largest student organization on campus, so us getting to lead this parade and represent Troy in an international way is really impressive,” Larson said.

The band has fundraised through a variety of methods, such as alumni and organization donations, spirit nights, social media posts and more since announcing the trip last fall. Now that football season has begun, they have also found success in asking for donations from fans around the stadium.

Peter Bates, a senior criminal justice major from Ozark, Alabama, and assistant drum major, shared the fundraising and promotional activities he has had the chance to participate in.

“I had the privilege of being a part of the radio interview on WTBF, where myself, Dr. Larson and Erin Wilson, former section leader, were able to broadcast details of the trip like destinations we will be able to visit, opportunities we will have while in London such as the concert we will be performing while there and how we are taking any and all donations,” Bates said. “I was also fortunate enough to sit down with TrojanVision and be interviewed along with Cam Turner and Caden Walker, the other drum majors, and talk about the significance of our halftime show this year and how we are getting ready for our trip.”

With around 130 signed up for the trip so far, the cost for each student is around $2,600 after the use of the $1,250 Chancellor’s Award. Larson emphasized that while the price has dropped, which has encouraged students, many are still looking toward continued donations before making their final decision.

“Even now, the cost has basically been cut in half for students, and there’s still some who, unless we get some significant donations, are not going to be able to go,” Larson said. “We want as many students to go as possible, so any donation amount really does help and encourages students to realize maybe this is financially possible for them.”

Noble Law, a freshman biomedical sciences major from Troy, Alabama, who is also attending the trip shared a similar thought.

“A lot of people have decided whether they’re going, but continued fundraising for it does lower the cost and being that final decisions are in October, it is a big encouragement to other members to see the prices drop,” Law said.

Bates can attest to the relief of seeing the prices drop and being able to pay off the costs. He shared that he has worked multiple jobs throughout the summer and school year to fund the trip for himself.

“Fundraising has changed my perspective on how I would be able to afford the trip,” Bates said. “Initially, the $4,365 scared me, and I was thinking ‘How the heck am I going to pay all of that,’ but after breaking things down over time and participating in the fundraisers throughout the year, I have been able to chip away from the price slowly but surely.

“Over the summer, I was working well past full time through my jobs in Troy and Opp and had many days where I questioned all that I was doing. On those days, I had to refocus my mind on why I needed to work so much and how all that time spent working would pay off.

“Then, as I made my final payment this past month, I was so thrilled to not have that weight of ‘will I be able to afford this.’”

Larson also shared that while there have been some challenges in fundraising, it has begun to pay off.

“We did have some delays in fundraising earlier on with getting people hyped to donate, but we have since picked that up, and now we’ve been doing a really good job,” Larson said.

Law shared his appreciation of the community and their willingness to support.

“Troy is definitely a town where anything that goes on in it requires large community support, especially an undertaking as big as an international trip,” Law said. “It really is incredible time and time again seeing the city gather around a group and really support them with complete willingness.”

Bates shared a similar appreciation and hopes for continued support.

“I am so happy that the Sound of the South Marching Band has been given this opportunity and that the people of Troy have been supporting us through this process of raising funds,” Bates said. “Please continue to support us as we are almost there across the pond.”

While fundraising will continue through October, students and anyone else looking to join “The Sound” on their trip has until Oct. 1 to sign up through Troy Abroad at troyabroad.via-trm.com. Anyone interested in donating can find their fundraising page at troy.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/48414.