On Oct 15th, 2011 the Fort Mill Marching Band participated in the Bands of America Regional Championship in Akron, OH at the University of Akron. There were 22 bands in the event from eight different states: OH, VA, MI, SC, NC, GA, PA, and IL. All of the 22 bands competed in the preliminary round to determine the 10 bands that would advance to the Finals in the evening.
The prelim round started at 9:30am under cloudy conditions and wind gusts upward of 30 mph with a temperature of 48 degrees. Wind became a major factor in the prelims as props were blown down and in one case apart, and color guards fighting the wind.
Under these conditions, the band took the field for their preliminary performance at 3:15pm and made their case to be included in the Finals.
The University of Akron Band took the field at 4:15pm and entertained the crowd with a Gospel themed show. They looked and sounded great!!
Preliminary Award Ceremony began at 4:30pm as all the drum majors of the prelim bands were called to the field. Awards were to be given out in 4 classes based on the school’s size, grades 10-12. Fort Mill competed in class 2A. Placement awards for the top three bands in each class were awarded as well as High Achievement awards in the areas of Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, and Outstanding General Effect. When the Class 2A awards were given, Fort Mill won 1st place for Class 2A as well as sweeping the 3 achievement awards.
After the awards were given in each class, the 10 finalists were named and Fort Mill was announced as one of the Finalists that scored high enough to earn a place in that evening’s Finals contest to determine the Regional Champion. The stadium was cleared and the Finalists’ band directors all met to determine their times in the Finals. Fort Mill drew the 6th position to perform at 9pm.
The band took the field at 9pm with confidence and delivered an inspired performance and received a rousing standing ovation from the crowd.
At 10:30, the Akron percussion section started a cadence and the full bands of all 10 finalists came marching onto the field for a full retreat. Fort Mill proudly carried the US & SC flags into the stadium. What a sight it was to see over 1000 band students filling the field representing their schools.
Placement awards were to be given along with the Highest Achievement Awards for Outstanding Music, Visual Effect, and General Effect.
Medals were given first to every student of the 4 Class winners from Prelims. Then the countdown began with the 10th place band named. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5…still no Fort Mill Band. Before the fourth place band was announced, they named the winner of the Outstanding Music Performance…..FORT MILL!! The 4th place band was announced..still not Fort Mill. The Outstanding Visual Performance winner was named……FORT MILL!!! Next up, the third place band was called out….not Fort Mill. Next up, the Outstanding General Effect award was given to….FORT MILL!!! It was down to two bands with the Fort Mill students standing still on the field in what must seemed like forever waiting to see where they finished in the contest. The 2nd place band was announced…and you guessed it, not Fort Mill. The winner and Regional BOA Champion: FORT MILL BAND!!!! The announcer called out Fort Mill and then called for all the bands to break ranks and to congratulate one another. The Fort Mill Band erupted in cheers with hugs for everyone in their sight. The Fort Mill fans in the stands cheering loudly.
Then the announcer of the event presented Fort Mill as the Regional Champions and invited them to perform an encore and proclaimed :”Fort Mill, the field is yours!” The band had to scramble to go get their instruments from the bus and truck and return back to the field. While the band was arranging themselves in a concert arc, the pit entertained the crowd with a selection. With smiles from ear to ear and tears of joy, the band performed their show for the cheering crowd. The band director then called for the band to play their school’s fight song, “The Horse”. Never have you heard such an enthusiastic rendition.
What a night to remember! Congratulations goes out to each and every band member for their hard work and display of the core values of the band.
Special thanks goes out to each and every member of the Band Staff whose integrity and dedication is unmatched.
The Band returned home to Fort Mill, on Sunday evening, Oct 16 to be escorted to the school by the local fire and police department. At the school, parents and supporters gathered to cheer on the students for their achievement. The Fort Mill High School Principal, Dee Christopher took time away from his Sunday, to come out as well to show his support. Thank you Mr. Christopher.
On October 15, the students and staff of the 2011 Fort Mill Band made history in a program with a long-standing, rich tradition of success through out the years. This is the first time, the Fort Mill Band has won a BOA Regional Championship. The previous highest finish was 2nd place. The Fort Mill Band won every award that they could in Akron.
Congratulations again, to every band student and staff!!! You make us so proud.