As a first-generation college student, Gerardo Juarez admitted to being unfamiliar with the process of preparing for his first semester of college at Texas A&M in the fall of 2015. In an attempt to find the most affordable on-campus housing option, he unknowingly selected a dorm reserved for the university’s Corps of Cadets. On-campus housing costs were about $6,990 per semester. However, as a member of the Corps of Cadets, which is required for band membership, housing costs were about $3,300 per semester. A month before his semester began, Juarez received an email about orientation for the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, the nation’s most traveled collegiate marching band, which boasts over 300 members. Juarez admitted that he had only played in the band in the 6th grade, but it was too late to find alternative housing, so he just showed up. During the orientation, the directors overlooked Juarez, which meant he never had to audition. For the next four years, he traveled with the band to various Southeastern Conference events, and his ruse remained unnoticed. Eventually, his friends realized he wasn’t playing but decided to look t he other way. Social media users were baffled, asking how Juarez managed to get away with faking his instrumental skills for multiple years. In response, Juarez told users: “It’s easier than you’d think, since the band plays military marching songs.” As for his family’s reaction to his accidental band membership, Juarez posted: “I am the first in my entire extended family to go to college. No one knew what was going on. My parents asked zero questions.”
