Colleton County High School Band of Blue

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The Colleton County High School Band of Blue earned a top 10 ranking at the 2022 4A SCBDA State Marching Band Championships held this past Saturday at Spring Valley High School in Columbia.

The Band of Blue placed ninth overall with a score of 81.7. There were 16 finalist bands of 48 4A programs in the state that qualified for the annual South Carolina Band Directors Association State Marching Band Championships. The Band of Blue performed their show “Saints and Sinners” to a near capacity audience in Columbia.

The Band of Blue has been top 12 finalist in the state every year in 4A and 5A since 1976.

Director Tom Finigan stated, “We are extremely proud of our Band of Blue! This band gave a great performance today and earned a 9th place ranking.” This year’s show was a fun show and the band really enjoyed performing the Mardi Gras/southern gospel theme. Many bands joined in after awards and during the retreat and sang along with the band back to the buses. “It was good to see bands interact and have fun again after all they have been through in the past two years, ending the year in the top 10 shows growth in our program. This year’s 4A division was very close and scores were within tenth of points. Colleton County was the only true Lowcountry school to make it in the top 16 in 4A. Our seniors have had a great season and we are happy for them,” Finigan said.

Finigan thanked assistant directors Nick Infinger, Cathy Meshach and Clay Blackwood and staff Jason Johnson, George Ritchie, Tyquan Ferguson, Chandler Ballew, Cody Dalton, Will Finigan, Jacob Havers, Dyneiera Brown, Kenny Smalls, Lexi Lee, Asha Brown, Sierra Smalls, Fantasia Hodges, Dooey Hiott and Peyton Taylor. Thanks to Chris Moss for drill design, Jason Johnson for guard choreography and Nick Infinger and Cliff Walker for writing an outstanding show.

“We had many parents and followers come up and cheer our band on the field. It is truly amazing the amount of support we have at competitions. We have the best boosters and parents in S.C. and our students are the kind of young people we can all be proud of. ‘Saints and Sinners’ was a definite crowd favorite!” said Finigan.

Catawba Ridge High School earned first place honors in the state competition with Nation Ford earning second and T.L. Hanna HS earning third.