FAC Winds, Brass, Percussion Students Participate in State Band Festivals

(Pictured: Sara Hoggatt, Riverside, 12) After a hiatus of over a decade, the South Carolina Band Directors Association ruled that winds, brass, and percussion students from the Fine Arts Center are now allowed to participate in Region and All-State band festivals. The surprise ruling came in November from the desk of current SCBDA President Martin Dickey, Director of Bands at Nation Ford High School, who argued that, as a entity of the public schools, the Fine Arts Center should be allowed the same access to state band events as is currently given to most other public, private, home, and specialty schools in South Carolina. Based upon a previous reading of SCBDA bylaws emphasizing that it was not a diploma-granting institution, the Fine Arts Center has been one of a very few schools in South Carolina whose students were barred from membership in Region and All-State band festivals. Following a successful audition, participation in Region Band and All-State Band is highly educational and is a mark of prestige among aspiring high school musicians. Fine Arts Center students will benefit from this privilege. Furthermore, what was once a stumbling block for students who were considering attending the Fine Arts Center – the denial of access to an important educational outlet and resume line – has effectively been removed for future FAC band musicians. The writer invites students and parents to contact Mr. Dickey in appreciation for his positive and inclusive action.