When SHS senior band member Sherrard Hollingsworth stepped to the front of the auditorium stage near the end of Thursday evening's spring symphonic band concert, his mesmerizing (and impromptu) drumming filled the final few bars of his and a number of other band member's high school careers.

The Scotland High School symphonic band, the school's most advanced band, performed six pieces Thursday which they had been preparing virtually non-stop since mid-March.

Between each piece the band paused to catch its collective breath, and for applause, and as soon as the concert had started, it was over. For 18 of the band students, it was their final performance as high school students, a fact not lost on most of them, as they all lingered after silence had fallen in the auditorium to exchange hugs and kind words before it was time to leave.

"It was a job well done tonight," said Scotland High School Bands Director Mark Doerffel, who spoke admiringly of his students who have "worked tirelessly for no money and no 'crazy' notoriety."

Along with the many seniors who will be leaving the school, another outgoing person was recognized during the concert in the form of retiring longtime theatre instructor Connie McCrummen.

In recognition of her contributions as a teacher, McCrummen was chosen by the students to lead the band in its closing rendition of the school's fight song, "Scotland the Brave."

"That was fun," exclaimed McCrummen, following the honor.

The SHS band program, in addition to the relationship which has come from the theatre-run auditorium being used to house band events, is tied to the band program in several other ways, adding to the appropriateness of McCrummen's time on stage.

Many theatre students, said McCrummen, are also in the band program and the band is also occasionally called in to perform in the "pit" for musical theatre programs.

"I think it's important that she be recognized ... because too often today teachers are sent into retirement with nothing more than a handshake and a final paycheck," said Doerffel.

"She is someone who basically started her career at this school, and has 'stuck it out'," he added.

Hollingsworth was also recognized for his accomplishments after his fellow band students voted him the 2009 recipient of the SHS Bands Sousa Award, an accolade meant to recognize the most outstanding senior musician in the band.

"Sherrard is a young man of exceptional talent, and a young man who has a promising future in music," commented Doerffel.

Next school year Hollingsworth will continue his career, moving on to UNC-Pembroke where he will study music.

The 42 member ensemble officially closed with an arrangement called "Tempered Steel," and after walking off the stage to applause following the McCrummen-led fight song and sitting down, the auditorium went dark.

The percussion section then, with Hollingsworth at the point, delivered their impromptu demonstration, inspiring the wild cheers of the other band members and of the audience.

Then the percussionists took a final bow, and it was over.

Almost.

Holding onto to the final fleeting moments of their careers, several band members then returned to their stations for continued performance with the house lights up and with few people watching.

And THEN it was over.