Alumni to lead Rock Hill’s Band of Distinction

On the first day at his new job, Ben Hingle walked confidently to his new workspace. Unlocking the door, he stepped into a room with several group photos on the walls. One photo included his own smiling face, circa 2000.

Walking into his office Hingle found his predecessor still clearing his desk. Hingle, just as he had done hundreds of times before, walked past the desk to lean against a refrigerator – the place where the “help” traditionally gathers to await their marching orders.

His predecessor looked up and stopped working, finally motioning Hingle to sit behind the desk. The signal was clear. This was now Hingle’s chair.

At that moment it hit Hingle he had not only come home to his alma mater to work, but he had returned to the family that is the Rock Hill High School Band of Distinction.

In many ways, Hingle had never left the family. After graduating in 2002, he went to Winthrop University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in tuba performance. As a college student he continued to work with the band under the direction of his mentor, Joe Gulledge.

After graduating from Winthrop, Hingle stayed in contact with Gulledge as he became a high school band director in Lancaster County and then Cheraw.

A domino-like series of events brought Hingle home.

Hingle first learned that Eric Wells was leaving Clover High School after directing the band program there for 11 years. Wells moved on to Blue Ridge High School in Greenville.

Hingle talked with Wells – another one of his mentors – and briefly considered applying until he learned that Gulledge was interested in the Clover job too.

“When I heard Joe was applying, the wheels started clicking: I could go home,” Hingle said.

After Gulledge got the Clover job, Hingle applied for the Rock Hill vacancy. After interviews that included former teachers, guidance counselors and students, Hingle was hired, fulfilling a long held dream.

Gulledge couldn’t be more excited that the band he led for 18 years will be in the hands one of his students. Early on, Gulledge knew that Hingle was one of his better musicians – Hingle’s teacher at St. Anne Catholic School, Susan Nicholson, told Hingle to never put down his horn.

Gulledge soon saw in Hingle the signs of leadership that he liked to develop in all his students. Hingle was among the first to arrive at the band room and the last to leave, said his dad, Buddy.

“He fits in well,” Gulledge said. “He brings a lot of energy, excitement and he understands the community’s expectations.”

Community expectations are high. York County is “Band County, South Carolina,” said Gulledge, as all of the county’s high schools are annually in the running for state championships.

Just as important, Gulledge knows Hingle has the right attitude to be a band director. Normally when students seek Gulledge’s opinion about becoming a band director, “I try to talk them out of it. You have to be ready to fight for what you believe in, in your program and for your students.

“If they want to take that on, I tell them to continue.”

Hingle, he said, has that fighting spirit.

Finally, Hingle understands the vision behind the Band of Distinction. Hingle’s senior class was the first to realize the vision as the band won regional and state honors that year.

The vision is based on excellence, setting goals, achieving them and resetting the goals. “I’ll carry that same vision,” but hopefully “give it my own spice,” Hingle said.

The vision is not limited to music. It includes teaching social and other life-long skills.

“It’s all about the students,” Hingle said. “It’s not, ‘I work hard for me.’ ”

Drum majors Shelby McMehan and Jordan Locke said Hingle was the best choice because of his history. They said the transition between band directors has been smooth. “I felt a connection even during the interview process,” said McMehan, a junior.

Band camp started Monday. Work on this year’s show, called “Mad’s World,” has started. Hingle inherited the show from Gulledge. It’s a musical story about “Alice in Wonderland” from the Mad Hatter’s perspective. What if the Mad Hatter was in love with Alice?

Marching band shows are much more than just music now. There’s also a theme and theatrics. At competitions, music is supposed to comprise 60 percent of the judging and the other components are supposed to make up the balance, but Hingle and other directors sometimes wonder if the percentages aren’t reversed.

“I’m a band director, not a theater teacher,” he said.

As a musician, Hingle understands the importance of how the music sounds. A loud “edgy” sound has its advantages, but he also wants his bands to master the art of playing so soft that the “judges are looking to see if you are still playing.”

A marching band’s sound is also a pyramid, and “the bass is the foundation,” said the tuba player. McMehan said the Band of Distinction has a “big and dark sound” reputation, and Hingle’s low brass experience should help get that sound.

But, “you can’t replace an oboe with a tuba” is Hingle’s way of saying the melody instruments dominate. “But, my heart will always be at the bottom of the band.”

While his heart is with the low brass, Hingle’s may be in the clouds. As the director, it’s Hingle job to climb to the top of the two-story tower on the practice field, casting a critical eye on what’s happening as the band rehearses. He relays his observations by bullhorn.

As an assistant, he often climbed to the first level of the tower, but never to the top, mostly for the practical reason “I don’t do heights.”

That fear fell the first day of band camp. Now it’s on to reaching for other goals, he said.

This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Alumni to lead Rock Hill’s Band of Distinction."