Blazer Band Completes Competitive Season

Congratulations to the Blazer Band for making 4th Place at the 4A State Finals!!! We are very proud of each Blazer Band member! We are also grateful to the best staff in the state, including Leah Corde, Brian Wargel, Mat Smith, Jason Frith, John Roberts, Whitney Washington, Corbyn Field, and Morgan Bostick. And let’s not forget the best parent volunteers in the state, especially all who have moved props and equipment, chaperoned, fed, and kept our band safe. Thank you for a great competitive season!

The Richland 2 District Jazz Orchestra wrapped up another successful season this past Sunday with a special concert at Ridge View High School. Featured on the program were works by Thad Jones, George Gershwin, Van Morrison, Chick Corea, and even the UK electronic duo Zero 7. Special thanks to guest artists Chris Reardon, Drew Loeffler, and alum bassist Max Lorick. And a very special thanks to Kevin Jones and the USC Left Bank Big Band for their amazing performance.

Congratulations to our Symphonic and Concert Bands for receiving Superior Ratings at our State Concert Festival. Both groups performed wonderfully and we are proud of each student. Thank you to all of the parents and friends who were there!

The Richland District 2 Jazz Orchestra performed at the 2011 Jazz Discovery Music Festival in Rock Hill this past weekend. Congratulations to Becky Foltz, Lindsay LeGrand, Matthew May, Archie Montoya, Donovan Taylor, and Bailey Walker for their great performance. Special thanks to guests Bryson Borgstedt and Charlie Polk. And a special thank you to Mark Yost and the Northwestern HS staff for putting on this amazing event.

Congratulations to Corbyn Field, Becky Foltz, and Brad Pouncey! Corbyn (Mellophone) and Brad (Field Conductor) are in the 2011 Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and Becky (Baritone) is in Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. Corbyn and Brad were in New Jersey this past weekend at a Cadet Weekend Camp.

CONGRATULATIONS to the band members who have been selected to be in the 2011 South Carolina All-State Band. They are Lindsay LeGrand (1st Chair Flute), Dillon Ashby, and Katie Hafner. Special congratulations to Dillon Ashby for being selected to the 2011 South Carolina All-State Jazz Band.

CONGRATULATIONS to the band members who have been selected to the Region Three Honor Band. They are Zoe Angelac, Jacqueline Arvay, Aaron Booker, Jordan Crosby, Karina Dixon, Stephen Dixon, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Becky Foltz, Juel Foster, Misato Kon, Danielle Marino, Matthew May, Archie Montoya, Echo Montoya, Mallory Mullen, Beth Pouncey, Brianna Tennie, Nash Via, and Bailey Walker.

And CONGRATULATIONS to the band members who have been selected to the USC Band Clinic. They are Zoe Angelac, Jacqueline Arvay, Dillon Ashby, Kendall Bell, Aaron Booker, Jordan Crosby, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Caty Field, Becky Foltz, Juel Foster, Andrew Greene, Katie Hafner, Lindsay LeGrand, Danielle Marino, Matthew May, Archie Montoya, Mallory Mullen, Kiana Postell, and Nicki Pullmann.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BLAZER BAND!!! For the first time in several years, the band finished in the Top 5 in State Finals. We are very proud of each member, and very appreciative of the terrific support that the band had at Spring Valley. Thank you Pit Parents; thank you Prop Parents; thank you Chaperone Parents; thank you staff; thank you fans in the stands for a great night! See you next year!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BLAZER BAND for making 3rd Place in the Lower State 4A State prelims. The top 6 bands from Lower State will meet the top 7 bands from Upper State this weekend at Spring Valley for the State 4A Marching Band Championships. WE NEED YOU TO BE IN AT SPRING VALLEY SATURDAY NIGHT!!! Let’s fill the Valley with Purple! Tell your family and friends. Let’s take advantage of the home field advantage!! See you Saturday!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the many parent and student volunteers who gave their time preparing for and working at our 2010 Town of Blythewood Tournament of Bands! Each band director and the many, many patrons and students who we talked with had a wonderful time. The judging was fair and helpful; the food was great; the facilities were wonderful; the organization was superb. We are very proud of both Ridge View and Blythewood Band Booster organizations, and of both bands. Thank you for another great year!

Congratulations to the Blazer Band for placing 2nd in Class for Prelims at the Olde English Festival of Bands this past weekend at Rock Hill. In addition, the band received Best Music Performance, Best Color Guard, and 2nd Place Percussion in Class. The Finals included the top 8 scoring bands from Prelims, regardless of Class. Thanks again to the many parent volunteers who transported and moved equipment, and to the chaperones who kept our band members safe. See you at the Tournament of Bands!