Schofield band brings home nine trophies

The Schofield Middle School band program racked up nine trophies at a recent festival, including the grand championship in the middle-school division.

The Fiesta'Val National Invitational Competition was held at Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

"It was super fun," said 8th-grader Stella Rounsefell, a member of the jazz percussion ensemble and festival band. "We played our hearts out."

The percussion ensemble and festival band took first-place trophies and received superior ratings. The jazz band got an excellent rating and also captured a first-place award.

Special recognitions were awarded by the judges regardless of school level. Cameron Clamp and Joseph Rivera were named best soloists. Also named best of show were the jazz rhythm section, the jazz woodwinds and the jazz brass. Director Stephanie Threlkeld was presented "an award of distinction in recognition of a national contribution to musical excellence." She expressed her pride in the band students' efforts.

"This is the best they could possibly have played," Threlkeld said. "It's a lot of fun to watch the progress this year. I really pushed the seventh-graders, and they jumped right in. We took seven sixth-graders to fill out a couple of sections."

She was delighted with the band students' commitment. After school on the Friday before spring break, Newberry College band director Bill Long visited to offer performance tips and introduce choreography and showmanship. All the student musicians attended the practice.

"Mr. Long brought all this energy," said eighth-grader Bishop Hare. "You can take the most energetic person and multiply it by 10, and that might represent Mr. Long."

Threlkeld said the band also got support from retired Aiken High band director Joe Laorenza and parents who served as chaperones. Stella's mom, Jeannie Rounsefell, designed T-shirts for the band students.

"It was the best day ever," said seventh-grader Jamie Moore. "This band is like my second family."