Nation Ford marches way to S.C. championship

Nation Ford High School captured its fifth state title on Saturday.

The band competed in the class 4A state championship at Spring Valley High School.

The band won the event with a score of 93. River Bluff High School was second place with a score of 91.650.

In addition to the state championship win, Nation Ford, also took home awards for Best Music and Best Visual Performance.

Fort Mill High School’s marching band also had a successful weekend, finishing its competition season at the Bands of America Super Regional in Atlanta. More than 40 bands from 12 states competed in the two-day tournament.

In the class 3A preliminary competition, Fort Mill won the award for Best Music and finished second in its class, earning one of 12 spots in the finals competition Oct. 31.

In the finals competition, Fort Mill was the highest-placing band from the Carolinas, earning fifth place overall.

With the marching competition season over, both bands turn their focus to concert band. The benefits of band class are far-reaching, said Nation Ford Director Martin Dickey. Marching and concert band address all of the “world class skills” a South Carolina graduate should have, he said, including creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and others.

“I have found over the years that if we teach the skills that are important to succeed in life, everything will fall into place and the students will be incredibly successful,” Dickey said.

In addition to preparing for concert season, Nation Ford is gearing up for an Italian Dinner and Silent Auction at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Nation Ford High School Commons. Band members also have an oyster roast and barbeque fundraiser planned for Dec. 5 at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Tickets and more information about each event can be found at nationfordband.com.

Fort Mill marching band members have a community appreciation performance scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bob Jones Stadium. The band will continue to raise money for its spring trip to Normandy, France, and will hold an event in conjunction with the American Legion on Nov. 14. The Holiday Fair will be held in the Fort Mill High Commons on Nov. 21, and the band will perform in the Charlotte Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26. For more about Fort Mill band events, go to fortmillhsband.com.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Nation Ford marches way to S.C. championship."