District Five bands earn high marks

Lexington-Richland School District Five high school and middle school bands received high ratings during recent South Carolina Band Director Association (SCBDA) Concert Performance Assessments (CPA) hosted by Lexington High School and Batesburg-Leesville High School.

The Chapin High School Symphonic Band and the Chapin High School Concert Band are under the direction of Blake Fowler.

The Chapin High Symphonic Band received a rating of Superior with Distinction in Grade VI, meaning they received the highest scores from all 5 judges in the most difficult classification of music in the state. The Chapin High Concert Band received an Excellent rating from all five judges.

The Chapin Middle School 7th Grade Band under the direction of Maria Manaeva received a Superior rating and the Chapin Middle School 8th Grade Band received a Superior with Distinction rating. The Dutch Fork Middle School 8th grade band under the direction of Alyssa Haley earned a rating of Superior with Distinction.

The Dutch Fork High Symphonic Winds under the direction of Jeremy Ley earned a superior rating with Distinction during their concert assessment.

“The Dutch Fork Symphonic Winds did a fantastic job at Concert Performance Assessment,” Ley said. “The students put on incredible performance at CPA and I’m very proud of the work they have been putting in all school year.”

Irmo Middle School Band under the direction of Lorrie Turner received a rating of Superior. The Irmo High School Symphonic Winds ensemble participated in Class 3 and received a rating of Superior with Distinction.

“We are extremely proud of these students and their hard work, and we look forward to many more musical experiences with them,” Irmo Band Director Hannah Redd said. “The future for this group of students is bright, and we are thankful to be a small part of their journey as musicians. Thank you to our band parents and the administration of Irmo High School for their support. Without this support, our students would not have the opportunities we have been so fortunate to experience.”

 School District Five’s Coordinator of Athletics, Physical Education, & Arts Steven Puckett said, “Congratulations to all of these exceptional band students and their directors for these outstanding achievements and for representing Lexington-Richland School District Five in such a professional manner.”