GHS band wows them in Florida

The Gaffney High Band of Gold finished the marching band season with an award-winning performance over the weekend in Florida.

The Band of Gold was named Grand Champion of the "Mustang Music in Motion" competition Nov. 4 at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton. The Gaffney High band won first place in Class AAA, best drum line, best Color Guard, best music and best general effect.

High school bands can compete in a local marching band contest anywhere in the country, provided they are willing to travel. The "Mustang Music in Motion" event in Florida offered the perfect combination of an out-of-state competition experience and Gaffney High students being able to participate without missing any school days during the 4-day trip.

The school district had a staff development day Monday while election day on Tuesday was a school holiday.

"This was the Band of Gold's peak performance of the year," Gaffney High Band of Gold Director Jeff Kuntz said. "In fact, it was the cleanest playing and marching we've done in the year and a half that I've been at GHS."

"I started looking into taking an out-of-state band trip several months ago. The students have done such a good job of attending class, being on time, behaving well and working hard to get better as a band. This really made me want to go the extra mile to reward the students," Kuntz said. "This was the best behaved group of teenagers I have been around on a field trip in my 20 years as a band director."

The Gaffney High Band of Gold will now turn its focus to supporting the football team in its quest for another state championship. Ewing, Granard and Gaffney Middle seventh and eighth graders will perform with the Band of Gold for this Friday's pre-game festivities and during the first half of the Gaffney High playoff opener against Colleton County.

The Band of Gold will be the opening band for the Bill Drake Christmas Music Festival on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.

The Gaffney High band and chorus will perform their Christmas concert Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. The band will participate in the Gaffney and Blacksburg Christmas parades Dec. 9.