Tom Finigan
PRESS RELEASE - Lexington, SC – The Colleton County High School Band of Blue placed 3rd in class 4A out of 17 bands this past Saturday at the South Carolina Band Directors Association Lower State Championship at White Knoll High School. The Band of Blue scored an 82.7, earning a Superior Rating and qualifying for the 46th year in row for the State Marching Band Championship.
This is the highest placement for the Band of Blue at Lower State since 2009. The top 8 bands move on to the State Marching Band Championships next Saturday. The following Lower State bands all earned spots in next weekend’s contest at Spring Valley High School: Chapin, Ridge View, Colleton County, West Florence, North Augusta, Dutch Fork, North Myrtle Beach and St. James.
Upper State 4A schools joining the Band of Blue at state are Catawba Ridge, Nation Ford, York, T.L. Hanna, Easley, Indian Land and Northwestern High Schools.
The Band of Blue will perform next Saturday, October 29th at 1pm at Spring Valley High School in the 4A SCBDA State Marching Band Championships.
The Band of Blue performed their show Saints and Sinners. The show features music by Gabriel Faure, Sia, Rebirth Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Quincy Jones. SAINTS AND SINNERS is a four-movement production that that takes you on a journey through the French Quarter of New Orleans. In the opener, Pavane, we explore the music of Gabriel Faure and his haunting melody from his famous work, while the Modern themes of Titanium are interwoven into a very upbeat modern version of this classic. In the production, we are taken to the streets of St. Charles square, and we share in a second line parade of Lil’ Liza Jane and Saints Go Marching In. We then visit the Treme’ section of New Orleans musically with the themes from Do Watcha Wanna and Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. In the third movement, we go back to our traditional southern roots and celebrate the end of the day with Precious Lord, Take my Hand and then finally end with a fiery and exhilarating ending with God’s Trying to Tell You Something from the movie Color Purple by Quincy Jones.
The show has great crowd appeal! This show has been FUN for the Band of Blue to reconnect with their audiences.
“The last part of the show “really cooks” said Band Director Tom Finigan. “We get the tempo up in the SHOUT section over 160 beats a minute and at that pace it is really exciting. We had great practices last week and the band worked really hard! We gave a great performance at Lower State and we think we can perform even better at STATE! They will be ready for Saturday!”
“We are so proud of our band. They have really matured this year” stated Finigan. “This band has done everything we have asked them to do to prepare for the state contest. We have great leadership and drum majors. Hopefully we will move up next weekend at the State Contest.” Last year the Band of Blue cracked in the top 8 for the first time since 2012.
The Band of Blue is under the direction of Tom Finigan with associate director Nick Infinger. Assistant Directors are Cathy Meshach and Clay Blackwood.
Color Guard Instructor is Jason Johnson with Assistance From Lexi Lee, Asha Brown and Dyneira Brown.
Band Staff Is Travis Smalls, Cody Dalton, William Finigan, Sierra Smart, Fantasia Hodges, Dooley Hiott , Jacob Havers, Peyton Taylor, Kashawn Lambright, Tyquan Ferguson and George Ritchie.
Support Staff includes drill design by Chris Moss, music arrangements by Nick Infinger and Clif Walker and guard choreography by Jason Johnson.
Drum Majors are: Peyton Grant and Kevin White.
The Band of Blue will host a Command Performance that is free and open to the public on November 3rd at 6:30pm at Cougar Stadium. The band will also perform in the Veterans Day Parade on November 6th.
The Band of Blue Booster Club has started its annual Fruit Sale. See any band member to place your order before November 15th!
THANK YOU to Colleton County for supporting YOUR Band of Blue!
