BAMBERG -- For the second consecutive year, the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raider Marching Regiment won the South Carolina Class A state band championship for 2008. The competition was held Oct. 25 at Woodmont High School in Piedmont.

Michael Miller, in his ninth year as band director at B-E, said the Red Raider Marching Regiment's 2007 state championship was the first for the group in 40 years.

"We competed against 12 other 1-A bands during the state competition last weekend," Miller said. "Our order of appearance during the event was ninth, and we scored an 88.89. (B-E Principal) Randy Maxwell told me afterwards that this competition was no giveaway because the band that finished in second place (Ninety Six High School) finished with a score of 88.88."

The other bands, in order of finish, were Lewisville, Latta, Chesterfield, Blacksburg, Indian Land, Great Falls, Abbeville, Williston-Elko, North and Wagener-Salley.

The 59-member Red Raider Marching Regiment's show was titled "I Believe: Words That Can Change the World" and included the songs "Freedom" and "Hope."

Miller said that the focus of the Red Raider band was solely to improve their own performance, both as a group and as individual musicians.

"We've had a descent season this year, competing against 1-A bands over the last six to seven weeks, but we never talked about which band we had to beat or who we had to compete against," Miller said. "I teach the kids that the important thing is to continue personal improvement, both as musicians and in life, and the rest will follow. I wanted them to do better this year than last year, and I can honestly say this year's band was a better band.

"Winning was a blessing and a wonderful experience. I hope this helps our band program grow and improve by attracting more students who become more accomplished as musicians."

The B-E band is in Atlanta today competing against 35 other bands from across the Southeast at the Bands of America Super Regional at the Georgia Dome.

You must be logged in to comment.