Cane Bay High made school history at a special performance this past weekend.
The Cane Bay Symphonic Band was a featured ensemble at the 75th Anniversary of the South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference, held at the University of South Carolina on Feb. 3.
This is a program first for Cane Bay as it was the ensemble’s first time at the state convention. This opportunity is considered a high honor that is sought out by many applicants every year. It has been a few years since a Berkeley County School District school was invited to perform.
The ensemble is led by school band directors Ryan Westberry and TJ Shank. To be considered for the performance, the directors submitted a tape of last year’s ensemble to an adjudication panel for selection. Cane Bay submitted a tape of a concert festival they participated in back in March 2022.
In addition, Shank and Westberry were awarded Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association.
The SCMEA is always held the first weekend of February, and features performers from every division. Cane Bay High was one of three high school concert bands selected to perform.
Students performed a variety of different musical selections during the event.
“One of the goals of the program was to present as diverse a program as we could,” Westberry said. “We wanted to bring in some different composers and some different music.”
The Cane Bay Symphonic Band presented six pieces, opening with “In Living Color,” composed by Katahj Copley, which came out in 2021 and is a sort of reflection of the world trying to move on from the pandemic. They also did “Adagio Sostenuto” from “Symphony No. 6” by Vincent Persichetti, one of Shank’s favorite pieces.
Students performed “The Pocket-Sized Funk Machine” by Matthew Kilby with help from the composer himself. Kilby is the associate band director, percussion instructor and steel band director at Fort Dorchester High, and was a featured guest performer/composer during the state convention.
Cane Bay Middle band director Jonathan Hernandez was a guest conductor for “A Night in Tunisia,” composed by John “Dizzy” Gillespie and Frank Paparelli (arranged by Paul Murtha). Hernandez is a former student of Shank’s when Shank taught at A.C. Flora High near Columbia.
Students also performed “Unquiet Hours” by David Biedenbender, a piece reflecting inner turmoil, and then finished with the upbeat “Disco Kid” piece by Osamu Shoji (arranged by Tohru Kanayama).
The directors said their students were extremely well received by a standing-room only audience.
“We had a standing ovation at the end – it was fantastic,” Shank said. “They played extremely well. It was the best performance they’ve given all year.”
Westberry added that Cane Bay High has now had its band, orchestra and chorus programs featured at the State Convention.
Westberry praised students for carrying themselves with professionalism all throughout the weekend.
“Our students here are top-notch,” Westberry said.
The students are now working on new music for a few upcoming concerts in March and May.
The directors thank school administrators and feeder school band directors for their ongoing support, as well as the band parents who volunteer their time to help the program.
Shank said he believes performing at the State Convention was truly an eye-opening experience for the students.
“I think this event is going to provide a good boost for our program to show these kids what’s possible and then we can take the next step to go to other events around the state…And we know that they’ll shine.”
Cane Bay High Symphonic Band
Flutes and oboes: Katy Lin, Ava Thompson, Mya McColl, Oben Ebai, Alexandria Hari, Hailey Jones, Pamella Rocha Santos, Erica Harrington
Clarinets: Izik Martinez, Molly Westberry, Jordan Allen, Zoe Beeson, Tristan King, Dalton Dang, Christian Halls, Jessira Smith, Cassandra Burnett, Taylor Wadford, Jose Arana
Saxophones: Dang Tran, Alan Rick, Mark Halagao, Chuks Nwaezeigwe, Samantha Olsen, Wyatt Johnson, Amelia Atkins, Ethan Riman
Trumpets and Horns: Lucas Vilders, Hannah Corde, Gavin Rodgers, Naimh Donnelly, Noah Foley, Marina Moncada, Grant Corde, Lorelai Thompson, Danilo Athearn, Charlia Parker, Angello Gonzalez Quintero, Jer’Mauri Williams
Trombones: Lily Purdy, Andon Buras, Justyn Parrish, Dylan Butler, Brandon Nairn, Bradley Kubitz
Euphoniums and Tubas: Tullius James, Madylin Morrow, Connor Zink, Jaden Hart, Mitchell Cody, Dylan Jude, Katy Parron
Percussion: Titus Chapman, Rylee Walters, Kurtis Peterson, Christian Morton, Sam Downing, Ashton Hayden, Peyton Musgrave, Taylor McCray, Jacob Rowell