The Laurinburg Rotary Club got a treat that President Lisa Blalock said would stand out as the meeting of the year.

"We are so excited to have students from our own community come and show us their talents and their dedication, and we enjoyed this program very much," Blalock said. "It undoubtedly will stand out as being the program of the year. Their music was outstanding, and it is clear that they are a group of dedicated, talented young men and women. We are so proud to call them our own."

Scotland High School Director of Bands Mark Doerffel and the 22 member symphonic band were the honorary guests at Tuesday's meeting. The band was recognized for their accomplishments this fall.

The Fighting Scots Marching Band was named grand champion at a Douglas Byrd band competition two weeks ago and came a half point away from taking the grand champion award this past weekend in South Carolina.

At the Loris High School band competition the Fighting Scots Marching Band brought home the following awards:

Second place in the Drum Major division in Class AAA; first place in the Color Guard division in Class AAA (of particular note, they had the second highest score of the night across the competition); first place in the Percussion division in Class AAA (tied for highest score of the night); and first place in the Hornline division in Class AAA. The band was also the first place band in Class AAA (W.W. Jacobs Music Award).

Doerffel said it was a pleasure to show off the talents and accomplishments of the band this fall.

"It certainly was a pleasure to play for supportive business people in our community such as the Rotarians of Laurinburg," Doerffel said. "We are honored to be here today."

Jonathan McRae, Principal of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, agreed with Doerffel.

"We want to thank the Rotary Club for letting us be here today," he said. "The kids have worked so hard this year and it's fun to play for a group of people that are supportive of our program."

The band played excerpts of music from a performance held two weeks ago.

The Scotland High School Band Program is comprised of three concert ensembles: the Academy Band, the Concert Band, and the Symphonic Band; the Fighting Scots Marching Band; the Scotland High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Winter Guards; and the Scotland High School Winter Percussion.

"The band program consists of 10 percent of the population at Scotland High School," Doerffel said. "Every Smaller Learning Community participates in the band program, not just the School of Visual and Performing Arts.

"As the band director I am a person wearing many hats."

Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey is assistant professor of low brass at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she teaches trombone, euphonium and tuba and conducts the Low Brass Ensemble. The one time principal tubist with the United States Coast Guard Band played a piece with the symphonic band on Tuesday.

"Dr. Hersey is a dear friend of mine," Doerffel said. "She is a great tuba player, one of the best.

"Put your seat belts on and be prepared for the most amazing thing you'll ever hear," he said.

During a question and answer session, Doerffel answered a question about how much each band member costs.

"With all the fundraising and donations given to the band program, each band member costs roughly $295," he said. "Each garment costs $1,500 and with 22 members of the symphonic band, you are looking at $40,000 in just garments, not including the costs of instruments.

"Each student will fundraise all year to help with travel costs and instrument costs," he said.

Doerffel said that instruments could cost from $700 up to as much as $4,000, adding that Jim Morgan and the Morgan Foundation help pay for the instruments through grants.

At the end of the bands program Doerffel walked to the front of the meeting hall and escorted Blalock to the conductor's podium, where she led the symphonic band in the Scotland Fight song.