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KYLA & BENNIE PADGETT PERFORM WITH THE TIGER BAND

Kyla and Bennie after the CU vs. UNC game November 18, 2023

On Saturday, November 18th Kyla and Bennie Padgett performed together one last time at the Clemson University vs. University of North Carolina football game.  Kyla is a former RS-M Band student who is now in her second year as a member of the Tiger Band.  Bennie is a senior band member at RS-M and was one of 75 students from across the nation who was selected to participate in the Clemson Marching Band Senior Day.  Bennie traveled to Clemson for an early morning rehearsal with the Tiger Band (also known as the Band That Shakes the Southland).  They performed a pre-game concert in the amphitheater before going to the stadium for the football game, where Bennie played in the stands with the college band.  Bennie is hoping to go into the military next year, so this was possibly the last time he and his sister will perform together.

Bennie in the stands being his usual self.

Kyla and Mr. Clamp before the game.

RS-M BAND STUDENTS PERFORM WITH NEWBERRY COLLEGE MARCHING BAND

On Saturday, November 4th Newberry College hosted their annual "Join the Band Day".  This is an event where high school students (grades 10 - 12) are invited to practice and perform with the Newberry College Scarlet Spirit Marching Band.  The students began rehearsals at 8:00 a.m. and performed in the stands and at halftime of the football game between Newberry College and Wingate.  RS-M was represented by ten students this year.  Students participating were:  Natalie Maltese (Clarinet), Aubrianna Wise and Jose Hernandez (Alto Sax), Landon Hastings and Christian Smith (Trumpet), Bennie Padgett and James Smith (Baritone), Erica Ferrer (Sousaphone), Quamaine Allen (Quints), and Maryann Sterling (Color Guard).  Drum Major Ailyn Perales also attended the game to observe since she is planning to attend Newberry College next year and participate in the marching band.  Also in the picture below wearing their Newberry College uniforms are RS-M marching band alumni Makayla Lee and Joanna Kaiser.

THANK YOU SENIORS

We would like to thank our 2023 Marching Band Seniors for all of their hard work and dedication.  There is a bio for each senior further down the page.  Drum Major and Baritone Player Bennie Padgett, Drum Major and Mallet Player Ailyn Perales, Clarinet and Mallet Player Natalie Maltese, Bari Sax Player Chris Story, Trumpet Player Landon Hastings, Keyboard Player Ward Burger, and Guard Member Bridget Rhodes made up one of the largest Senior classes the RS-M Marching Band has ever had.  We love you all so much, and we will truly miss you.  

One of our band parents created and shared this short video tribute to our 2023 Seniors:  SENIOR VIDEO 2023

TRUE BLUE BAND ENDS ANOTHER FANTASTIC SEASON

The RS-M True Blue Marching Band completed another historic season on Saturday, October 28th at the Class A State Championships in Blythewood.  The band finished 7th in the state and that, combined with last year's 6th place finish means the band finished in the top ten in back to back years for the first time in school history!  In fact, RS-M had finished in the top ten only twice before last season.  Also, the True Blue Band had the 3rd highest music score in the state and was less than a point away from a top-five finish.  The band would like to thank all of the parents, family members, and RS-M faculty and staff who came out to watch their outstanding performance at State Finals.  It meant a lot to see you all out their supporting our kids.  

2023 True Blue Band Seniors Landon Hastings, Ailyn Perales, Natalie Maltese, Bennie Padgett, Bridget Rhodes, Chris Story, and Ward Burger before the awards ceremony at State Contest.

HISTORY REPEATED AT LOWER-STATE COMPETITION

On Saturday, October 21st the RS-M True Blue Marching Band finished as the Lower State Champion Runners-Up.  This ties the school-record 2nd Place finish by the 2022 marching band.  The final competition of the season is this coming Saturday at the Class A State Championships at Blythewood High School.  The competition begins at 10:30 a.m. and RS-M performs at 2:00 p.m.  Awards will be at 3:15 p.m.  Congratulations to all of the marching band students for their outstanding performance at Lower-State!

The True Blue Marching Band celebrating with the Class A Lower State 2nd Place Trophy

The True Blue Marching Band in action at Lower State

TRUE BLUE BAND EARNS AWARDS AT COMPETITIONS!!!

Congratulations to the RS-M Marching Band for a successful run during fall break.  The competition season began at the Mustang Classic on Saturday, September 30th at Midland Valley High School.  The True Blue band earned 1st Place in Class A (defeating 3-A school Brookland-Cayce and 2-A school Fox Creek).  RS-M also earned the awards for Highest Music Score and Highest Overall Effect Score in Class A.  On Saturday, October 7th, the True Blue Band traveled to St. James High School in Murrels Inlet for the Fin-Fest Tournament of Bands.  RS-M was up against larger schools from Class 3-A, 4-A and 5-A and the True Blue still earned the award for 2nd Place Color Guard and also finished ahead of two 3-A schools and a 4-A school.  On October 14th, the marching band traveled to Silver Bluff High School for the Silver Spirit Invitational.  RS-M swept all of the awards for Class A, including 1st Place Class A, High Music Score Class A, High Visual Score Class A, and High Overall Effect Score Class A.  The True Blue Band also scored higher than a couple of 3-A and 4-A schools.  The Class A Lower-State Championships will be at Westwood High School on Saturday, October 21st, and the season will conclude on Saturday, October 28th, at the Class A State Championships at Blythewood High School.  To see videos from the marching band competitions (when available) click on the link to the 2023 Competition Videos on the left side of this page.

Band Officers Pose with Silver Spirit Trophies

RS-M Marching Band Celebrates Success at Silver Spirit Invitational

Band Officers and Seniors after the Awards Ceremony

Left to Right:  Chris Story, Natalie Maltese, Quamaine Allen, Bennie Padgett, Landon Hastings, Ailyn Perales, Bridget Rhodes, and Maryann Sterling 

True Blue Marching Band in Performance at the Mustang Classic

RS-M Band Members celebrating with their awards after the ceremony

BAND BOOSTER MEETING

The next meeting of the RS-M Band Booster Club will be on Thursday, November 2nd in the band room.  We will take up any fruit money that has been collected up to that point.  It is also the final day to pay for fruit with checks.  After November 2nd only cash or money order will be accepted.

TRUE BLUE BAND MEMBERS PERFORM AT WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM

On Saturday, September 9th almost half of the RS-M True Blue Marching Band joined hundreds of other high school band members to perform with the University of South Carolina "Mighty Sound of the Southeast" at halftime of the game against Furman.  The students all gathered at the Steve Spurrier practice facility to rehearse with the USC Band.  After a few hours of rehearsal the students were fed a Chick-Fil-A meal and then headed to Williams-Brice Stadium.  At halftime the students performed in front of about 80,000 fans.  RS-M was represented by Seniors Natalie Maltese (Clarinet), Chris Story (Bari Sax), Landon Hastings (Trumpet), Bennie Padgett (Baritone), and Bridget Rhodes (Colorguard).  Junior band members included Aubrianna Wise (Alto Sax), Christian Smith (Trumpet), James Smith (Baritone), Quamaine Allen (Percussion), Emma Fulmer (Colorguard) and Maryann Sterling (Colorguard).  Sophomores representing the True Blue Band were Jose Hernandez (Alto Sax), Stella Edwards (Mellophone) and Erica Ferrer (Sousaphone).  You can watch the performance by clicking on this link (high school students join about 2:30 into the performance):  

RS-M Band Members enjoy some big-time college football at Williams-Brice Stadium

Senior Bennie Padgett wearing a USC hat (he's a Clemson fan)!!!

2023 RS-M TRUE BLUE MARCHING BAND

2023 TRUE BLUE BAND SENIORS

2023 Seniors (Left to Right):  Bridget Rhodes, Ward Burger, Chris Story, Bennie Padgett, Ailyn Perales, Landon Hastings, Natalie Maltese

Ward Burger is in his first year with the RS-M True Blue Marching Band.  This is also his first year in band class.  Ward has been taking piano lessons and plays the keyboard for the band.  He is a member of the BETA Club at RS-M and his career goal is to become a Forensic Scientist.

Landon Hastings has been an alto sax, tenor sax, and trumpet player as well as a percussionist in the RS-M band program since 6^th grade and a member of the marching band in grades 7 – 12.  He has been a section leader and this year is Brass Captain for the True Blue Marching Band.  Landon is also a member of the concert and jazz bands at RS-M.  During his band career landon has attended honor band clinics at Claflin University, Limestone University, Newberry College and The University of South Carolina, and he has performed with the Newberry College and USC Marching Bands.  He has also been selected for the SCBDA Region 2 Honor Band, Aiken County Honor Band and the Aiken County Garcia Orchestra and has received Superior ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.  At RS-M Landon is a member of the Academic Team and has also been a member of the ROTC.  His favorite band memory is when the marching band broke the school record by finishing 6^th Place at the Class A State Championships in 2022.  After graduation Landon plans to attend Anderson University and major in Architecture.  His career goal is to become an Architect Consultant.

Natalie Maltese has been a clarinet and tenor sax player in the RS-M band program since 6^th grade and a member of the marching band in grades 7 – 12.  She has been a section leader and this year is Woodwind Captain for the True Blue Marching Band.  Natalie is also a member of the concert and jazz bands at RS-M.  During her band career Natalie has attended honor band clinics at Limestone University, Newberry College and Claflin University, and she has performed with the Newberry College Marching Band and this year will perform with the USC Marching Band.  She has participated in the Aiken County Honor Band and the and has received Superior and Excellent ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.  At RS-M Natalie is a member of the FFA and Robotics Team.  Her favorite band memory is when the marching band broke the school record by finishing 2^nd Place at the Class A Lower State Championships in 2022.  After graduation Natalie plans to attend Newberry College and major in Graphic Design.  She hopes to one day be the owner of a book café.

Bennie Padgett has been a trombone and baritone player in the RS-M band program since 7^th grade and a member of the marching band in grades 8 – 12.  He has been a section leader and this year is one of the Drum Majors for the True Blue Marching Band.  Bennie is also a member of the concert and jazz bands at RS-M.  During his band career Bennie has attended honor band clinics at Limestone University, Newberry College and The University of South Carolina, and he has performed with the Newberry College and USC Marching Bands.  He has also been selected for the Aiken County Honor Band and the Aiken County Garcia Orchestra and has received Superior ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.  At RS-M Bennie is a member of the Beta Club, National English Honor Society, Academic Team and Robotics Team.  His favorite band memory is when he wore his cow onesie during the jazz band performance at last year’s spring concert.  After graduation Bennie plans to serve our country in the Navy.  He hopes to become a Navy Seal and eventually go to college to study in Criminal Justice and Psychology. 

Ailyn Perales has been a trumpet player and percussionist in the RS-M band program since 6^th grade and a member of the marching band in grades 7 – 12.  She has been Percussion Captain and this year is one of the Drum Majors for the True Blue Marching Band.  Ailyn is also a member of the concert band and drumline.  She has received Superior ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival and at RS-M she is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America.  Her favorite band memory is when the marching band broke the school record by finishing 2^nd Place at the Class A Lower State Championships in 2022.  After graduation Ailyn plans to serve our country in the Marines where she hopes to eventually become an officer.  She would like for everyone to know that she will miss everyone in the marching band and they have been a big impact in her life.

Bridget Rhodes is in her second year with the RS-M True Blue Marching Band and it is her first year in band class.  She is a member of the FFA and the Robotics Team.  Her favorite band memory is when the marching band broke the school record by finishing 2nd Place at the Class A Lower State Championships in 2022.  After graduation Bridget plans to join the Military or become a veterinarian. 

Christopher Story has been an alto and bari sax player in the RS-M band program since 6^th grade.  He was in the marching band in 7^th and 8^th grade and then was enrolled in virtual school until this year.  Chris is also a member of the concert band and jazz band.  He has participated in the Aiken All-County Band and the Claflin University Honor Band Clinic and has received Superior ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.  At RS-M Chris is a member of the Robotics Team.  His favorite band memory is his first marching band year with it being full of new experiences.  After graduation Chris plans to join the work force and get himself to a place where he can enjoy life to it's fullest.