BY HEATHER RUPPE
The Colleton County High School’s Band of Blue won the Overall Grand Championship at the recent 2021 Band Across the Savannah Marching Band Contest, held at North Augusta High School on Oct. 9th.
The local band, which is known as the Band of Blue, scored an overall score of 92.6, earning a superior rating. The Band of Blue competed against 12 bands in this competition.
With their score, the CCHS Band won the Class 4A Division, also taking the High Music, High Percussion and High Color Guard awards.
“A big crowd from Colleton County followed the Band of Blue,” said Tom Finigan, band director.
“The Band of Blue had the highest score of the contest and was awarded the Terry Jenkins Spirit Award and Bands Across the Savannah Grand Championship.
“The Band of Blue gave a very energetic performance and the crowds reaction was incredible,” he said, adding that he and the staff are “very pleased” with the band’s overall efforts during the past week, both in competition and on the field at practice.
“We worked the band really hard this past week. We put in a lot of new changes in music and visuals and the band handled them well,” stated Finigan. “The crowd response to Sun, Moon and Stars is electric! The band feeds off of the enthusiasm, too! The costumes, the props, the drill and the music really get you involved. We still have a few minor things to correct but the band is on pace for the Lower State Championships in two weeks.”
Colleton County Superintendent Dr. Vallerie Cave also congratulated the band, saying she was proud of their recent performance.
“My congratulations to the Band of Blue for an outstanding performance and bringing home a championship! You continue to demonstrate exceptional showmanship in all aspects of your competition,” she said.
The Band of Blue will travel to Effingham County High School this Saturday, October 16th to compete against eight other bands from South Carolina and from Georgia. The local band takes the field at 7:40 p.m.
The Band Directors are: Tom Finigan, Nick Infinger, Cathy Meshach and Clay Blackwood.
The Band of Blue Booster Club President is Randy Ballew.
Band staff includes Jason Johnson, Hannah Haley, Cody Dalton, Tyquan Ferguson, Maria Manaeva, Megan Newton, George Ritchie, Chandler Ballew, Dyneira Brown, William Finigan and Nick Tirpak.
Support Staff includes drill design by Bob Buckner, music arrangements by Bill Locklear, Nick Infinger and Cliff Walker and guard choreography by Jason Johnson.
