When I was a high school classroom teacher a few years ago in a county whose name I will not mention, I pulled double-duty as the assistant band director. This was a bit of a grandiose title. In reality, I was nothing more than the “drum guy” but I was always announced at football games and at competitions as the assistant band director.

Anyway, the one thing I learned from working with the band in the county whose name I will not mention is that putting a marching band season, with all the things that go with it, is hard work. Everything from perfecting the music, then perfecting the marching drill, then perfecting the music and drill together to the logistics of moving the students with all their instruments and equipment from point A to point B then back again is no small task and requires tremendous amount of dedication and commitment from the staff, the students and parent volunteers through the booster organization.

Knowing the time commitments and blood, sweat and tears that going into making it all work, I have nothing but respect for Scotland High School of Visual and Performing Arts Director of Bands Mark Doerffel, assistant director Justin Hammonds, Percussion Coordinator Mark Roddy, Guard Instructor Ashley Norton, Guard Choreographer Kurt Wooten, the Scotland County Band Boosters and the 78 Scotland High Schools students, under the direction of drum majors O’Shae Best and Briana Lowry, who toil tirelessly to perfect the show that they perform on Friday nights at Pate Stadium.

“Our students have been working extremely hard after school on this year’s show,” said Doerffel. “They are putting in long hours and I am looking forward to putting our show on the field in competition next month.”

This year’s Fighting Scots Marching Band show is titled “The Human Element.” According to assistant director Hammonds, the show uses musical themes to convey emotion, anger sadness, love and joy.

In addition to preparing their own show, the band has been working diligently to prepare for Saturday’s Highland Celebration Band Competition at Pate Stadium. This year’s event will feature 11 bands taking the field in competition. The Scotland band will perform in exhibition at 8:30 PM.

“All of our students, as well as 60 parent volunteers, will be helping out on Saturday to ensure that this year’s Highland Celebration is a success,” said Hammonds. “We’ve got some great bands lined up to compete and it should be a fun day.”

After the Highland Celebration, the Fighting Scots Marching Band kicks off their competition season on Oct. 10 at South View High School before traveling to Cape Fear High School, Douglas Byrd High School and Loris (S.C.) High School to compete throughout the months of October and November.

These kids - and the adults, for that matter - are working hard to maintain the proud tradition of the Fighting Scots Marching Band and would appreciate your support on Saturday and throughout the year.