Band students from Dillon County School Districts 3 and 4 presented a free All-County Band concert on Saturday, March 5 at 4:00 pm in the Dillon School District Four Auditorium.  The students began rehearsing for this performance on Friday, March 4 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm and on Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.  Participants were nominated and selected by the band directors of the Dillon County Schools.  The Master of Ceremony was Mr. John Fulmer, Latta Middle/High School band director.
Mr. John Fulmer introduced the Junior Band Director, J. Cliff Gardner, a native of Cheraw, South Carolina and a graduate of Cheraw High School.  He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from North Greenville College.  Mr. Gardner is the band director at Ronald E. McNair Junior High School in Lake City, South Carolina, a position he has held for the past 13 years.  Prior to district realignment, he also served as the band director at J. Paul Truluck Middle School.  Mr. Gardner was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” award for J. Paul Truluck Middle School for the 2014-2015 school year.  Mr. Gardner is an Adjunct Instructor of Instrumental Music at Francis Marion University, teaching applied woodwinds.  As a performer, Mr. Gardner is active in the greater Florence area performing with various ensembles.  He is the principal bassoonist with the Florence Symphony Orchestra.  He also serves as the rehearsal accompanist and Music Director for the Lake City Community Theater.
The variety of musical selections were performed by the Junior Honor Band.  The Dillon All County Junior Band students were:   Flute:  Erica Scroggins – Dillon, Mecadeez Durham – Latta, Kionna Harris – Dillon, Rakiah Manning – Dillon, Brittany Green – Dillon, Taylor Small – Latta, Gabby Mace – Latta, Adia Horvath – Dillon, Maddy Britt – Lake View, Zoey Bryant – Latta, Destiny Dorteo – Dillon, Hannah Packer – Lake View, Alyssa Brumbles – Latta, Jade McCollough – Dillon, Cassie Waters – Dillon, Kyra Davis – Latta, Kelsey Scott – Lake View, and Allison Helton – Dillon. Clarinet: Ashanti Alford – Dillon, Antania McCollum – Dillon, Shayla Sanderson – Latta, Dianna Moody – Dillon, Michaela Cooper – Latta, Hannah Jackson – Latta, Joy Berry – Latta, Kayal Green – Dillon, Shaniah McClellan – Latta, Ragan Thomas – Latta, Caroline Dale – Lake View, Lauren Galloway – Latta, Haliee Diaz – Latta, Mala Grice – Dillon, Darren Robinson – Lake View, Chelsie Gasque – Latta, and Shealia Davis – Latta. Bass Clarinet: Ashley Carter – Latta, Na’Ziya Deberry – Dillon, Contra Bass Clarinet, Jackson Stone – Dillon, and As’sata Miles – Dillon. Alto Saxophone:  Jamont McRae – Dillon, Kayla Davis – Latta, Olexia Lee – Dillon, Miracle Burgess – Latta, Kaadecia Armstong – Dillon, Treia McInnis – Latta, Tyisha Bethea – Dillon, and AJ Townsend – Latta.  Tenor Saxophone:  Jayandre’ Simmons – Dillon, Chase Sawyer – Latta, Makayla Bethea – Dillon, Kwame Hennagan – Latta, Baritone Saxophone, Yunique Dawkins – Dillon, and Emily McKenzie – Latta.  Trumpet:  Katelyn Purnell – Dillon, Shantazia Gordon – Dillon, Mary Moreno – Dillon, Knachanty Davis – Dillon, Tykeeze Respus – Dillon, Marshall Collins – Latta, NyQuan Jordan – Lake View, Alexus Davis – Dillon, and Matthew Soles – Lake View.  Horn: Ashanti Tyson – Dillon.  Trombone: Ev Seay – Latta, Jacob Nolan – Latta, Brandon Bethea – Dillon, Kadasia McLellan – Dillon, Levette McRae – Latta, Destiny Huitt – Latta, Za’Veon McLeod-Wright – Dillon, Jamar German – Latta, and Jess Lane – Latta.  Euphonium:  Keyasia Manuel – Dillon, Sekyiwa Jones – Dillon, JaJuan Clark – Lake View, Jareshia Wright – Dillon, and Ty-Kandi Bethea – Dillon.  Tuba:  Damir Bethea – Dillon, Khaliyah Evans – Dillon, Payton McDowell – Latta, and U’lease Harris – Tuba.  Percussion:  Nevaeh Barber – Dillon, Asia Johnson – Dillon, Zavian Tyson – Dillon, Elijah Bethea – Lake View, Carson Sloan – Latta, Christian Hyatt – Latta, DeAsia Bethea – Latta, Destiny Campbell – Latta, and Cade Cook – Latta
Mr. John Fulmer introduced the Senior Band Clinician, Mr. Roderick Henderson.   He is in his third year as Director of the Richland Northeast High School Bands.
Mr. Henderson is from Spartanburg, SC and a 1996 graduate of Spartanburg High School. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education from South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, SC) and a Master’s of Music Education from Vander Cook College of Music (Chicago, IL). Mr. Henderson was previously the Director of Bands at Wilson High School (Florence, SC) and Crestwood High School (Sumter, SC) and Hillcrest Middle School (Sumter, SC). Mr. Henderson’s bands have received numerous citations for Superior and Excellent ratings in concert, marching and jazz band performances. Mr. Henderson’s professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, South Carolina Music Educators Association, South Carolina Band Directors Association and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
The Senior Honor Band played the following selections:  Silvercrest by James Swearingen, Excerpts from Festive Overture Arr. Jay Bocook, Romanza by Ralph Ford, Blaze of Glory by Robert Sheldon and El Camino by Jerry Nowak.  Senior Honor Band participants were: Flute: Nyshell Mack – Dillon. Oboe: Kezia Dently – Dillon. Clarinet:  Kiara Edge – Dillon, Casey Gray – Latta, Azhana Bethea – Dillon, and Shobria Sowells – Dillon.  Bass Clarinet:  Courtney Gray – Latta, Skyla Watson – Latta and Allison Ray – Latta.  Contra Bass Clarinet:  Lataurean Brigman – Dillon.  Alto Saxophone:  Jamelia Alford – Dillon, Makinleigh Morris – Latta, and Maleah Carter – Lake View.  Tenor Saxophone:  Aziz Manning – Dillon, Alexia Green – Dillon, and Tyson Davis – Latta.  Baritone Saxophone:  Damiah Breeden – Dillon.  Trumpet:  Khristopher Long – Dillon, Alec Daniels – Latta, Aziana Moultrie – Dillon, Bre’Asia McLean – Dillon, and Mjayla Page – Latta.  French Horn:  Jawanika White – Dillon.  Trombone:  Tatyana Sanders – Dillon and Camile Bellmon – Dillon.  Euphonium:  De’Angela Davis – Dillon, De’Asia Mclellan – Dillon, DJ Woodle – Latta, and Kardrella Baker – Dillon.  Tuba:  Dontavious Commedo – Dillon, Jamarius Baines Bethea – Dillon, Qua’Neal Graham – Dillon, and Austin Roberts – Latta.  Percussion:  Kobe Godbold – Dillon, Justin Biurch – Latta, Bruce Nelson – Dillon, Phillip Bethea – Latta, and Qua’Dragus Nelson – Dillon.
Mr. John Fulmer gave the closing remarks by thanking the guest clinicians, Andrew Hoose and the “Music and Arts” company for their generous donations and support of our schools and the Dillon All County Honor Band Clinic, recognizing the Band Directors of Dillon County (Mr. Kevin McLellan of Dillon Middle School, Mr. Adrian Wright of Dillon High School, and Mr. Ryan Young of Lake View Middle/High School), thanking the parents for their support and applauding the students for the wonderful performance.  The concert was enjoyed by all.