Band students from Dillon County School Districts 3 and 4 presented a free All-County Band concert on Saturday, March 2 at 4:00 pm in the new Dillon Middle School Gymnasium. The students began rehearsing for this performance on Friday, March 1 from 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm and on Saturday, March 2 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Participants were nominated and selected by the band directors of the Dillon County Schools.
The Senior Band was conducted by Mr. Nicholas Bratcher, Assistant Director of Bands at Savannah State University. Mr. Bratcher, a native of Conway, SC, completed two years at South Carolina State University where he served as section leader for the “Marching 101” and principal clarinet of the SCSU Wind Ensemble. He later earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and a Master of Arts in Teaching (Music Education) from Coastal Carolina University, where he served as Graduate Assistant to the University Band program. While at CCU, Mr. Bratcher served as principal in several ensembles including the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble. Currently, Mr. Bratcher is pursuing the Doctoral of Education degree in Music Education with a minor in Wind Conducting from the University of Georgia. Senior Band participants: Flute: Shana Berry (Latta), Breana Park (Dillon), Andre Mace (Latta), and Candace Hill (Latta); First Clarinet: Brittany Ball (Latta) and
Alicia Brown (Dillon); Second Clarinet: Cierra Sullivan (Latta) and Luke Godwin (Latta); Third Clarinet: Kiyana Fleming (Latta), Lakia Hayes (Latta), Beth McDaniel (Latta), and Antanyia Graves (Dillon); Bass Clarinet: Kourtney Page (Latta) and Jasmine Smith (Latta); First Alto Sax: Thea McInnis (Latta); Second Alto Sax: Jazuun Outlaw (Dillon); Sam Jackson (Latta), Malcolm-Burch-Reaves (Latta), and Jamaris Robinson (Latta); Tenor Sax: Jade Bellmon (Dillon); Baritone Sax: Qy’Darrius McEachern (Dillon); Second Trumpet: Nick Rogers (Latta), and Austin Green (Dillon); Third Trumpet: Na’Kieya Johnson (Dillon), Jamesha Pinkney (Dillon), and Brandon Floyd (Dillon); First Trombone: De’Andre Sanon (Dillon); Second Trombone: Johnny Wright (Latta), Jamesa Bethea (Dillon); Third Trombone: Kobe Cochran (Latta), and Nathan Carter (Dillon); Euphonium: John Pinkney (Dillon) and Denesha Crawford (Dillon); Tuba: Nate Hammonds (Latta); Percussion: Anthony
McCall (Latta) and Brandon Friday (Dillon).
The Junior Band was conducted by Dillon County band directors Margot Griggs of Latta High School and Melissa Blair of Lake View High School. Ms. Griggs is a native of Hartsville, SC and earned a Bachelors’ degree in Music Education from Charleston Southern University. Ms. Griggs is in her second year as Director of Bands at Latta Middle and Latta High Schools. Ms. Blair is a native of Pickens, SC and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southern Wesleyan University. Ms. Blair is currently pursuing a Master’s of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University and is in her first year at Lake View High School. Junior Band participants: Dillon Middle School: Flute – Timesha Clements, Amauni Mason, Nyshell Mack, Talayshia Bethea, Laterrin Page, Syndey Owens, and Tatyanna Miles; Clarinet – Kendra McLeod, and Niaja McGill; Alto Sax: Jordan Monahan, Cameron Monroe, and Amber Davis; Tenor Sax: Aziz Manning, and
Makela Pompey; Baritone Sax – Quameek Betha; Trumpet – Sybria McNeil, Travis Evans, Veronica Strickland, Bre’Asia McLean, Jawakia White; Baritone – Bernisha Leach, Scooter Graves, Janasia Cain, and Tamari Burney; Tuba – Dontavious Commendo, and Kwailyn Grant; Percussion: Kobe Godbolt, Emmanuel Green, Elijah Breeden, and Justin Alford. Latta Middle School: Flute – Briana Williams, Emily Shelley, and Jeanna Cline; Clarinet – Brianna Osborn, Jessica Perry, Alex Brumble, Tori Hargrove, and Karli Upton; Alto Sax – Makinleigh Morris, Savannah Britt, and William Byrd; Tenor Sax – Chase Hester; Trumpet – Daniel Allen Colby Lane, Lily Bryant, Alec Daniels, and Russ Rogers; Trombone – Aidan Autry; Baritone – Tyliyah Grice; Percussion – Dennis Caulder, Lathan McCormick, and Zach Poston.
The Band Directors of Dillon County are Mr. Adrian Wright of Dillon High School, Mr. Kevin McLellan of Dillon Middle School, Ms. Margot Griggs of Latta High School, and Ms. Melissa Blair of Lake View High School.
