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.