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 6th 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 6th 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 6th 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 2nd 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 7th 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 6th 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 2nd 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 6th grade. He was in the marching band in 7th and 8th 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.