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RS-M BAND MAKES SCHOOL HISTORY

The 2023-2024 Ridge Spring-Monetta Band had a historical year which culminated in the band earning the Outstanding Performance Award.  The OPA is the highest honor given by the South Carolina Band Directors Association as it requires a high level of achievement in Marching Band, All-State / Region Band, Concert Band, and Solo and Ensemble / Jazz Band.  To receive the award a band must earn a minimum of 90 points out of 100 throughout the school year (RS-M earned 97 out of 100 points).  This year the marching band received an Excellent rating at state marching band championships, RS-M had a school record 9 students make the all-region band, the concert band received the school’s FIRST-EVER Superior rating at state concert performance assessment, and RS-M band students earned 11 total Superior ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.  What makes earning this award even more special is that very few Class A schools receive the Outstanding Performance Award, and RS-M is one of the smallest (possibly the smallest) schools to ever earn the OPA. 

RS-M Band Students Excel at Solo and Ensemble Festival

Friday, April 19th the RS-M Band participated in the SCBDA Solo and Ensemble Festival at Aiken High School.  27 students participated in 21 total events which included solo performances as well as duets, trios, quartets, and large ensembles with seven to nine performers.  Our students earned a total of 11 Superior ratings and 9 Excellent ratings.  Soloists receiving a Superior Rating were Landon Hastings, Paetyn Colwell, DJ Maltese, Ben Burger, Dane Edwards, Nathaly Segura, and Marcos Segura.  Members of TWO ensembles receiving a Superior rating were: Landon Hastings, Ben Moyer and DJ Maltese.  Natalie Maltese, Bennie Padgett, Ailyn Perales, Chris Story, Quamaine Allen, Christian Smith, Maryann Sterling, Stella Edwards, Alex Cochran, Paetyn Colwell, Jayden Ibarra, Isaac Shockney, Ben Burger, Dane Edwards, and Gavin Fulmer were members of one ensemble that received a Superior rating.  Bennie Padgett received an Excellent rating on both of his solos and Paetyn Colwell, Isaac Shockney and Malachi Hawkins each earned an Excellent rating on a solo.  Chris Story, Jayden Ibarra, Brooke Blume and Nathaly Segura were members of TWO ensembles earning an Excellent rating.  Members of one ensemble receiving an Excellent rating were:  Natalie Maltese, Jamari Bettis, Dane Edwards, Gavin Fulmer, Caleb Rojas, Ta'Liyah Lott, Morgan Stephens, and Nigeria Williams.  Congratulations to these students for their outstanding performances!

BAND CALENDAR

JAZZ BAND RECEIVES SUPERIOR RATING

The RS-M Jazz Band performs on stage at the Carowinds Theater

Jazz Band members pose outside of Carowinds Theater after their performance

On Saturday, March 23rd the RS-M Middle / High Jazz Band participated in the Carowinds Festival of Music.  The group performed "Malaguena", "Georgia On My Mind" and "Chameleon" for a prestigious panel of judges that included former college professor Dr. Bill Malambri and composers George Naff and James Curnow.  The jazz band received a rating of Superior from all three judges, who were very complimentary of the band's performance.  After the performance the students were able to enjoy the rides, games and food at the park.  Congratulations to the RS-M Middle / High Jazz Band for another outstanding performance!

MIDDLE / HIGH CONCERT BAND RECEIVES FIRST EVER SUPERIOR RATING AT CPA

Members of the RS-M Concert Band at the Lexington One Performing Arts Center

The RS-M Middle / High Concert Band received a Superior Rating at the SCBDA Concert Performance Assessment on Wednesday, March 20th.  As far as we can find this is the first ever Superior Rating at an SCBDA festival (marching, concert or jazz) for the Ridge Spring-Monetta band program.  The band received Superior Ratings from all three judges in their concert performance and received an Excellent Rating in sight reading to earn the overall Superior Rating.  Congratulations to the 2023-2024 RS-M Band students for another school record performance!

MIDDLE / HIGH JAZZ BAND PERFORMS AT USC JAZZ FESTIVAL

On Friday, March 8th the RS-M Jazz Band traveled to Columbia to participate in the USC Jazz Festival.  After watching a performance by Meadow Glen Middle School the group performed "Malaguena", "Georgia On My Mind", and "Chameleon" for guest artist Mimi Jones and several members of the USC Jazz Department.  Mimi Jones is a professional bassist, vocalist, producer, label owner, and filmmaker who was in town to be a part of and perform at the festival.  After our performance Ms. Jones spoke with our students about what they had just played and she was very complimentary of our students.  Landon Hastings, Senior Trumpet Player, was named "Outstanding Soloist" for his solo in "Chameleon".  Other soloists for RS-M who also did a great job were:  Ben Moyer (Alto Sax), Bennie Padgett (Trombone), Christian Smith (Trumpet), and DJ Maltese (Trumpet).  The next performance for the RS-M Jazz Band will be at the Carowinds Festival of Music on March 23rd.    

The RS-M Jazz Band after their performance at the USC Jazz Festival

Trumpet Player Landon Hasting is presented the award for "Outstanding Soloist" by USC's Lauren Meccia and jazz artist Mimi Jones

MIDDLE / HIGH JAZZ BAND EARNS EXCELLENT RATING AT STATE JAZZ FESTIVAL

RS-M Jazz Band on stage at State Jazz Festival

On Friday, March 1st the RS-M Middle / High School Jazz Band traveled to Crayton Middle School in Columbia, SC to perform in the SCBDA Jazz Performance Assessment.  Out of the approximately 50 high school groups that performed RS-M was one of only TWO Class A schools across the state to participate in the state festival.  In fact there were only a total of 6 or 7 schools from Class A and Class AA to participate.  Before we took the stage we had the chance to observe an awesome performance by the Silver Bluff Jazz Messengers.  Senior Trumpet player Landon Hastings was unanimously named Outstanding Soloist for the RS-M Jazz Band.  Members of the RS-M Jazz Band are:  Alto Saxes Ben Moyer, Jose Hernandez, Dane Edwards, Nathaly Segura;  Tenor Saxes Natalie Maltese, Paetyn Colwell, Brooke Blume;  Bari Sax Chris Story;  Trombones Bennie Padgett, Stella Edwards, Jayden Ibarra;  Trumpets Landon Hastings, Christian Smith, DJ Maltese, Ben Burger, Gavin Fulmer;  Bass Alex Cochran;  Guitar Caleb Rojas;  Drum Set Jamari Bettis;  Auxiliary Percussion Malachi Hawkins.

RS-M BAND STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SCBDA REGION 2 HONOR BAND

2024 SCBDA Region 2 Honor Band Members from RS-M

On February 23rd and 24th a school-record nine Ridge Spring-Monetta band members attended the South Carolina Band Directors’ Association Region 2 Honor Band Clinic at Lexington High School.  Seniors Landon Hastings and Bennie Padgett, Sophomore Stella Edwards, Freshmen Jayden Ibarra and DJ Maltese, and 8th Graders Ben Burger, Dane Edwards, Gavin Fulmer, and Nathaly Segura represented RS-M Middle / High School at the clinic.  In early January these students, along with students from over 30 schools in 14 counties, auditioned to earn a spot in the band.  The selected students gathered Friday morning and rehearsed all day with their directors / clinicians.  They also rehearsed part of the day Saturday, and the clinic concluded with an outstanding concert Saturday afternoon.  Congratulations to these students for representing RS-M in the 2024 SCBDA Region 2 Honor Band!

HIGH SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS ATTEND USC HONOR BAND CLINIC

Maryann, Landon, and Bennie at the Koger Center before the concert

On the weekend of February 16 - 18 Seniors Landon Hastings and Bennie Padgett and Junior Maryann Sterling attended the very prestigious University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic in Columbia, SC.  Bennie participated in the Jazz Band for the second year in a row, and Landon and Maryann were part of one of the USC Honor Bands.  During the clinic they rehearsed all day Friday, all day Saturday, and a little Sunday morning with their bands.  They also watched several outstanding concerts by various groups from a few local high schools and from the University of South Carolina.  On Sunday afternoon the students performed in a fantastic concert with their bands.  Congratulations to these students for being nominated and chosen to participate in the 2024 USC Honor Band Clinic.

CHRISTIAN SMITH COMPETES IN WINTER GUARD COMPETITION

Christian with other B-L Winter Guard members at the awards ceremony

For the second year in a row RS-M High trumpet player Christian Smith is participating with the Batesburg-Leesville High School Winter Guard.  Winter Guard is an extension of the Marching Band Color Guard that many of you see performing in the fall.  The students perform a routine indoors (generally in a gym) to pre-recorded music.  Christian has been an important part of Batesburg's Winter Guard, and at the competition at Northwester High School on February 10th he earned 1st Place in the Individual category for his school and 3rd Place Individual for the overall competition.  The Batesburg-Leesville Winter Guard placed 2nd in their class at the competition.  Congratulations to Christian and the B-L High School Winter Guard for an outstanding performance!!!

RS-M SURPASSES SCHOOL RECORD IN REGION BAND

The RS-M Band broke more school records this year at the SCBDA All-State / Region auditions.  On Saturday, January 20th thirteen students auditioned at North Augusta High School.  Our students were up against students from 11 counties including:  Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, Richland, McCormick and Saluda.  Nine of our students earned a spot in the SCBDA Region 2 Honor Band.  8th Graders Ben Burger, Dane Edwards, Gavin Fulmer, and Nathaly Segura along with high school students Landon Hastings, Bennie Padgett, Stella Edwards, Jayden Ibarra, and DJ Maltese will represent RS-M at the SCBDA Region 2 Honor Band Clinic on February 23 - 24 at Lexington High School.  Three of our students also accomplished something that had never been done during LIVE auditions by an RS-M student.  Landon Hastings, Ben Burger and Nathaly Segura made "callbacks" for the final All-State Audition, and Stella Edwards and Gavin Fulmer missed callbacks by only one spot.  We did have one student (Kyla Padgett) accomplish this in 2021, but that was by video audition due to Covid.  Aiken All-County Band rosters will be announced in the coming weeks, but all of these students have also earned a spot in the 2024 Aiken All-County Band Clinic.  That clinic will be on Friday, April 26th at North Augusta High School.  Congratulations to these students for their hard work.   

STELLA EDWARDS, JAYDEN IBARRA SELECTED FOR ALL-COUNTY ORCHESTRA

Congratulations to Sophomore Stella Edwards (French Horn) and Freshman Jayden Ibarra (Trombone) for being selected participate in the 2024 Garcia Orchestra Festival.  Their selection was based upon scores among all high school students at the SCBDA Region Band auditions on January 20th.  The All-County Orchestra clinic will be on Wednesday, April 17th at USC-Aiken.  Congratulations to Stella and Jayden for earning this honor.

HIGH SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS ATTEND HONOR BAND CLINIC

RS-M Band Students pose on the steps outside Fullerton Auditorium

Eleven students from Ridge Spring-Monetta High School were selected to attend the Limestone University Honor Band Clinic on January 25 - 26.  Seniors Landon Hastings, Bennie Padgett and Chris Story, Juniors Christian Smith and Maryann Sterling, Sophomores Stella Edwards and Erica Ferrer, and Freshmen Paetyn Colwell, Jayden Ibarra, DJ Maltese and Isaac Shockney were among 140 students chosen from about 20 schools across South Carolina and North Carolina to take part in the two-day clinic.   

In early January the students submitted a video audition for chair placement.  Chris Story and Isaac Shockney earned first chair in their bands!  Landon Hastings, Bennie Padgett, Christian Smith, Stella Edwards, Erica Ferrer, and Jayden Ibarra all earned 3rd chair in their respective bands.  The students traveled to Limestone University in Gaffney on Thursday, January 25^th.  On Thursday evening the students rehearsed with their bands.  Friday morning and afternoon they again rehearsed with their bands and the clinic concluded Friday evening with a great concert by the two Honor Bands.  Congratulations to these RS-M band students for being selected to the 2024 Limestone University Honor Band Clinic!

BAND BOOSTER MEETING

The next meeting of the RS-M Band Booster Club is scheduled for Monday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m. in the band room.  This will be the final chance to turn in money and orders for Krispy Kreme Donuts.

HIGH SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS ATTEND HONOR BAND CLINIC

Three students from RS-M High School were selected to attend the Newberry College Honor Band Clinic on the weekend of November 16 - 18.  Seniors Landon Hastings and Natalie Maltese and Junior Maryann Sterling were among over fifty students chosen from eleven different schools to perform in this honor band.  The students auditioned for chair placement on Thursday afternoon and then attended a concert by the Newberry College Wind Ensemble and the Newberry College Jazz Big Band.  After the concert they rehearsed on Thursday evening, and they also rehearsed all day Friday and a couple of hours Saturday morning.  The clinic ended with an outstanding performance of some very difficult music on Saturday afternoon.  Congratulations to Landon, Natalie and Maryann for being selected to participate in this prestigious event.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS ATTEND HONOR BAND CLINIC

Pictured Left to Right:  Gavin Fulmer, Nathaly Segura, Dane Edwards, Ben Burger, and Laura Blume

Five students from Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle School were selected to attend the Limestone University Middle School Honor Band Clinic on November 16-17.  Eighth Graders Laura Blume, Ben Burger, Dane Edwards, Gavin Fulmer and Nathaly Segura were among over 200 students from approximately 14 different schools across South Carolina and North Carolina to take part in the two-day clinic.   

In early November the students submitted a video audition for chair placement.  Nathaly Segura earned first chair in her band!  The students traveled to Limestone University in Gaffney on Thursday, November 16^th.  On Thursday evening the students rehearsed with their bands.  Friday morning and afternoon they again rehearsed with their bands and the clinic concluded Friday evening with a great concert by the two Honor Bands.  Congratulations to Laura, Ben, Dane, Gavin and Nathaly for being selected to participate in the 2023 Limestone University Middle School Honor Band Clinic.