On Saturday, the Woodland High School Marching Wolverines proudly hosted the Low Country Battle of the Bands, a highly anticipated event that almost didn’t happen due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. With bands from across the region planning to attend, there was doubt as to whether the event would proceed. However, despite some bands being unable to travel and members of the community still facing storm-related challenges, the show went on—thanks to the determination of the directors, staff, band boosters and supporters.
It was a hot and muggy day, but the sun shone brightly, and the skies remained clear, giving a sense of optimism to all who attended. Woodland alumnus Joshua Orvin opened the competition with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem, setting a powerful tone for the day. Soon after, the first band took the field, kicking off an exciting display of musical talent and marching precision.
The competition was divided into three classifications based on the size of the bands' hornlines (brass and woodwind sections): Class A, Class AA, and Class AAAA, with AAAA being the largest category. Bands were judged across three key areas: Marching, Music, and General Effect. Each of these categories played a crucial role in determining the overall performance of the bands.
- The Marching category focused on technique, the uniformity of the members’ movements, and the difficulty of the routines.
- The Music category evaluated the accuracy, tone, dynamics, and the overall difficulty of the pieces played.
- General Effect measured how well the music and the marching routines worked together to create an impactful and entertaining show.
Additionally, caption judges evaluated specific aspects such as Drum Majors, Color Guard, Dance Line, and Percussion, which indirectly affected the scores in other categories.
Results from Each Class:
Class A saw Calhoun County High School take home the top prize by winning the Best Marching, Music, and General Effect awards. Their Color Guard and Dance Line also secured first place in their categories. Cross High School earned second place and was recognized for having the best percussion section.
Class AA was more competitive, with five bands vying for the top spot. The final rankings were:
1. Battery Creek High School – First Place
2. Manning High School – Second Place
3. W.J. Keenan High School – Third Place
4. Kingstree High School – Fourth Place
5. Timberland High School – Fifth Place
While Manning High School excelled in both Marching and General Effect, Battery Creek edged them out by winning the Music category, ultimately securing the first-place trophy by a mere half-point. Both Battery Creek and Manning High earned Superior Ratings (scores of 85 and above). Battery Creek also won Best Percussion, W.J. Keenan took Best Dance Line, and Manning High earned Best Color Guard and Drum Major.
Class AAAA featured two bands: Marlboro County High School and The Bradwell Institute from Georgia. While Bradwell took home the General Effect award, Marlboro County secured the overall win by excelling in both Music and Marching categories. Marlboro also won Best Percussion and Dance Line, while Bradwell earned Best Drum Major and Color Guard.
The most anticipated moment of the afternoon was the announcement of the Grand Champion Trophy, awarded to the band with the highest score of the day, regardless of classification. As the crowd held its breath, Marlboro County High School was declared the Grand Champion, earning a Superior Rating and an impressive score of 93.5.
Special Exhibitions:
Before the awards ceremony, the audience was treated to two exciting exhibition performances. The Woodland High School Marching Wolverines, as hosts, did not compete but performed for non-official ratings to gather feedback from the judges and improve for future competitions. Although the band members were exhausted working the show all day, they still managed to electrify the crowd with their competition show. The hometown crowd cheered and clapped as loud as they could for their very own Marching Wolverines!
The highlight of the afternoon came when the Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction took the field. Known for their show-stopping performances, Benedict’s band did not disappoint. The band’s massive hornline, renowned for its powerful sound, resonated through the stadium. Their drumline added energy with crisp, intricate rhythms, showing why they are one of the most respected HBCU marching bands in the region. The band dazzled the crowd with perfectly synchronized movements and visually stunning formations, bringing a level of showmanship that only a band of their caliber can deliver. Their soulful renditions and upbeat selections had the crowd on their feet, clapping along and cheering.
What made this performance even more special was seeing three Woodland Wolverine alumni now performing with Benedict’s band. Senior and Head Drum Major Mechelle Stephens, Junior Trumpet Player Lydia Benton, and Freshman Cymbal Player Tyriona Elmore proudly represented their alma mater on the field, adding a personal touch to an already electrifying performance. The Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction’s dynamic presence and unmatched energy left smiles on everyone’s faces and capped off the day in grand fashion. The Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction left a lasting impression, and their performance was an inspirational reminder of the impact of live, high-energy music.
The Low Country Battle of the Bands is the Marching Wolverines' largest annual fundraiser, supporting the band’s travel, equipment repairs, contest fees, and other essential needs for competitive marching. Mr. Atterberry, Director of Bands at Woodland High School, along with his staff and the Marching Wolverine Band Boosters, expressed their gratitude to all the bands, community members, teachers, and staff who made the event possible despite the difficulties caused by Hurricane Helene.
The Wolverines now look forward to their next competition at Benedict College on October 12th, where they will participate in the USBANDS Standards & Technical Assessments for Traditional Showstyle Bands. The full lineup for upcoming shows can be found at usbands.org.
Through the resilience and spirit of the community, the Low Country Battle of the Bands was a day filled with exceptional music, unforgettable performances, and a sense of pride that will continue to resonate throughout the season.