The next few hours loom extremely large for several local marching bands, with football season in its home stretch and Saturday bringing the chance for bands to claim their places among South Carolina's best without a football team in sight.
High schools in action Saturday at the meets to determine the state's top bands include Aiken, Midland Valley, Strom Thurmond, Fox Creek, Williston-Elko and North Augusta.
The recent Lower State meet had North Augusta placing fifth, Aiken seventh and Midland Valley eighth. The Jacket Regiment, as North Augusta's band is known, is directed by Chuck Deen and is among the traditional powers at the state meet. Deen's troupe is to be in action Saturday at Chapin High School, with Midland Valley and Aiken as fellow competitors.
The Aiken and Midland Valley bands have forged a new connection during the past couple of years, as they are led by a married couple. Greg Priest is Aiken's director, and his wife, Kaitlyn Priest, directs The Pride of the Valley, Midland Valley's band.
Among those gearing up for Saturday's action is Mason Collins, a junior who plays alto saxophone in Aiken's band. He confirmed that he and his musical neighbors welcome the chance to perform in the statewide spotlight, offering a show titled "Swing City ’19," with elements recalling America's jazzy side from about a century ago.
"I thought this year … we've tried to work harder toward our goal in the sense that there seems to be more dedication from the kids in the band," he said, looking back as far as the last week of July when band camp began.
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