The Colleton County High School Band of Blue Winter Ensembles competed at the 2026 Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA) Rock Hill Regional on March 7 at Rock Hill High School. The Band joining 58 ensembles from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.
The Band of Blue JV Winter Guard placed 6th in the Scholastic AAA Division with a score of 54.85. Their 2026 production is titled “The Long and Winding Road.”
The Band of Blue Varsity Winter Guard, which competes in the Scholastic A Division, was unable to perform due to a weather-related issue at the competition site. Their 2026 production is titled “There Are No Goodbyes.”
The Band of Blue Winter Percussion Ensemble earned a score of 76.45, placing third in their performance round and fourth overall in the Percussion Scholastic A Division. Their show is titled “Rooftops of London.”
The Band of Blue Winter Guard program includes 30 middle and high school performers, while the CCHS Winter Percussion Ensemble features 36 percussionists and dancers.
Band of Blue Director Tom Finigan said the winter ensembles play an important role in maintaining the program’s momentum following marching band season.
“Our Winter Ensembles have been practicing since November and have drastically improved over the past two months,” Finigan said. “Many people assume that once football season ends and the state marching championships are over, our program stops competing. In reality, our winter ensembles keep our guard spinning and dancing and our percussionists performing throughout the spring. These programs are vital to the continued success of the Band of Blue, both now and as we prepare for the fall season.”
Varsity Winter Guard Captains are Jaelyn White and Melinda Nunes, and JV Winter Guard Captains are Emma Fitch and Hannah Ayer.
CCHS Winter Percussion seniors include Savannah Ross, Caroline Herndon, Brantley Padgett, Jaden Garvin, Robert Idol and Sarah Wilson.
The ensembles are supported by Band of Blue instructors Jason Johnson, Clay Blackwood and Cathy Meshach, with assistance from Lilly Boyert, Taylor Fussell, Joelle Glapinski, Anthony Crimely, George Ritchie, Tibbie Walling, and Logan Hale.
