Wando band's notable awardsSymphonic group achieves double dose of recognition By Diette Courrégé (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Grace Beahm Guest conductor Joseph Kreines vigorously leads the Wando High School band through practice Wednesday. 
Grace Beahm Senior Connor Watkins plays the french horn in the Wando High School symphony band. If you goWhat: Wando High School band concert, ceremony to receive Sudler Flag of Honor Where: 1000 Warrier Way, Mount Pleasant When: 7 p.m. today Cost: Free What: Wando High School band performs on opening day of Piccolo Spoleto Festival Where: New Tabernacle Fourth Baptist Church, 22 Elizabeth St. When: 3 p.m. May 23 Cost: Free MOUNT PLEASANT — The Wando High School band is one of the best, and two recent honors validate its reputation for excellence. The East Cooper ensemble is one of two that will receive the Sudler Flag of Honor, an international award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation that recognizes bands demonstrating outstanding quality over several years. The award is comparable to an Olympic gold medal in the world of high school bands, and only select groups are invited to apply for the honor, which requires bands to submit seven years worth of programs and music. The award will be presented to the band tonight; the other recipient is the Harrison High School band of Kennesaw, Ga. The Wando High band also earned a prestigious invitation in December to play at the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra clinic for musicians and music educators. It's the largest conference of its kind, and band programs of the highest caliber are invited to perform. More than 80 bands submitted audition tapes, and the Wando High group was one of six chosen to perform. Scott Rush, director of Wando High bands, said he's aspired to play at the Midwest Clinic since coming to Wando nine years ago. "It doesn't get any grander than playing at Midwest," he said. "It was just an invaluable experience for the kids." Both honors are validation of the band's hard work and tradition of excellence, he said. He credited the area's high-quality middle school bands for preparing students; Laing Middle School performed at the Midwest Clinic in 1995. In addition, the school's students want to be good at what they do, supportive parents ensure that their children practice, a strong booster club backs the band and the school's administration assists the program, Rush said. Senior Linard McCloud has played an instrument since fifth grade, and he was part of the group that played at the Midwest Clinic. He described the experience as "overwhelming" because of the opportunity to play for world-class musicians who understand the music rather than listeners who simply enjoy it. Students recognize the high expectations that come with playing in the school's symphonic band, the school's most skilled musicians, and he said the intense practices are worth it to make great music. He sees quality musicians and maturity in his classmates, and he called the Sudler Flag an "added treat" to playing at the Midwest Clinic. "It was hard work, but it was a great experience," he said. |
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Comments
This article has 5 comment(s)
Posted by ThinkAboutThis on May 15, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats on the award!
Just think what all of the other local CCSD HS bands would be if they also had hundreds of thousands of dollars poured in for extra teachers, foot coaches, required private lessons, the best instruments, and all.
In my opinion, CCSD should really investigate and put a cap on how much money Booster Clubs can give to directors, their "hired" help, etc.
If every band in CCSD had that type of money to spend they would all be grand!!!!
Since this director has made a name for this band, send him to other local high schools to assist the other student musicians in CCSD in fulfilling their musical careers and dreams too!
Posted by theronce on May 15, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do not pile on Wando. It is very competitive, and you must truly be good to win these awards. It can cost parents thousands of dollars a year in some high school bands in this state. Some booster clubs have fund raisers where the parents who do not have the money can work off the fees and charges. It is a little nuts, but so is just about everything else in public schools. Sports, bands, dance, and etc. taking up these kids' interest and efforts is a huge expense on the public. The booster clubs are a way for them to get the extras that it takes to compete at the top levels. It would be interesting to see these booster club budgets along with the public budgets. Look at all of that acreage,square footage, and time and effort that is dedicated to sports and "the arts" as opposed to the "three r's". Our priorities may need re-examination.
Posted by eyfigueroa on May 15, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yup. Wando has a great program.
Speaking as a Stratford Band parent, I have to admit that band programs are expensive to maintain and the costs rise exponentially when the director strives to make their program elite.
music programs help devleop children overall and are an asset to schools.
However there comes a time when as parents, faculty and staff when we should ask oursleves, how much is too much.
Posted by ThinkAboutThis on May 15, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure every academic teacher would love the "perks" donated by a booster club- the extra staff, endless resources, huge budgets, and the same time and dedication given to their classrooms and teaching AND all funded outside CCSD's budget!!
Just think what the academics would be with 100+ grand in additional funds to work with each year for each teacher!!
Many students could have pencils, hot lunches, paper, books, and more!!
Posted by MSC on May 15, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Each student is responsible for their "fair share" in the fund raising efforts, which include selling fruit and soliciting advertising for billboards around the football stadium.
When I was in Wando Band MANY years ago, the money from the county was a small amount needed to supplement any program, much less a competitive, championship, year round ensemble which the Wando Band has become. It is great when a Charleston County school is recognized for such an honor. Too often it is bad news being reported.
Any another thing, just because people live in Mount Pleasant, doesn't mean they are rich.