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Directors and Staff |
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The Band of Blue under Mr. Finigan’s leadership has continued a tradition of
excellence in our state. The Band of Blue has continued to perform engaging
and innovative half time shows and have been named a top 12 finalist at state
contest every year. The Colleton County High School Band been awarded the
Outstanding Performance Award recently and has received Superior Ratings in
Class V at concert festival. The Band of Blue was a featured performer in the
2008 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC. and performed in the
2010 and 2013 Krewe of Endyminion
Parade in the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA.
Mr. Finigan is married to the former Lorraine Cauley of Columbia. They have
two sons, Thomas, 19 is |
During Mr. Infinger's time at USC, he was a member of the USC Symphonic
Band, USC Concert Band, USC Marching Band, USC Trumpet Ensemble and the
USC Left Band Big Band. Mr. Infinger was a featured soloist with the USC
Marching Band. He has performed for President George W. Bush and the past
3
Mr. Infinger has taught at
Gary Stroupe,
is the assistant director of bands at Colleton County High School and
Colleton County Middle School.
Mr. Stroupe is a passionate educator and music advocate, who enjoys
inspiring and motivating students through the joy of studying music. Mr.
Stroupe recently restarted the Colleton County Winter Percussion and in
their first year back in CWEA competition won the CWEA Novice Class Indoor
Percussion Championship and also won the 2015 South Carolina Winter
Ensemble Novice Class Indoor Percussion State Championship.
Mr. Stroupe is a 2007 graduate from the University of South Carolina,
where he earned his degree, Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Education,
with the distinction Magna Cum Laude. He was an active performer, on
several instruments during his collegiate career. In addition to
studying Oboe professionally, Mr. Stroupe also performed Baritone and Alto
Saxophone in the Carolina Band and English Horn in the Big Music Machine
Orchestra.
Mr. Stroupe often finds himself giving family and friends the same excuse,
"I can't...I have band practice." However, in his free time, he does
enjoy cycling, reading, fishing, playing video games, and spending time
with his family and friends.
Mr. Stroupe is an avid “Star Wars and Harry Potter” fan too! |
Meredith Melven,
is excited to be joining the Colleton County Bands for the 2015 – 2016 school
year as Assistant Band Director of Colleton County Middle School and Colleton
County High School. Ms. Melven received a Bachelor of Music Education
(Instrumental) from the University of South Carolina in 2014, with the
distinction Magna Cum Laude and a Performance Certificate for Clarinet. While
attending USC, she was a member of the USC Wind Ensemble and participated in
the performances for CBDNA and SCBDA conventions as well as concert tours in
Washington D.C. and China. She was a part of two of the Wind Ensemble’s most
recent CD recordings, including “Music of Leonard Bernstein” released in 2011.
She also participated in the Carolina Marching Band as a four-year member of
the Coquettes Dance Team, and held the leadership role of Captain for her
junior and senior years. Ms. Melven completed
her first year of teaching here in Colleton County, as the general music
teacher at Cottageville Elementary School. She recently earned the Rookie
Teacher of the Year Award for CES. Ms. Melven has a passion for teaching and
inspiring students of all ages through music.
She is excited to continue her music education career in Colleton
County, in a new capacity. She looks forward to seeing elementary students’
involvement in music continue as they progress to Colleton County Middle. Ms. Melven is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, where she spent her childhood and attended Irmo High School. She comes from a family of musicians, with two younger brothers who both play trumpet and parents who formerly played in the Irmo High School Band as well. While music has always been a prominent part of her life, her parents encouraged her to be well rounded and so she also has twenty years of dance experience. She continues to teach dance for the Universal Dance Association (UDA). She also enjoys biking, kayaking, and spending time with her family. She maintains professional membership with the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) and the International Clarinet Association (ICA). |
Mr. Thomas performed in the 2012 Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps Color
guard and performed with 2015 Aria Independent Open Winter Guard from
Greensboro, NC. Aria Winter Guard
earned the distinction of World Finalist at WGI.
Through this experience, Mr. Thomas has performed for thousands at Drum
Corps International's World Championship Finals, at Lucas Oil Stadium, in
Indianapolis, IN and at Winter Guard International Championships in Dayton,
OH.
Mr. Thomas comes to us from nearby Hampton County. He attended Charleston
Southern University, performing Tenor and Baritone Sax in the Buccaneer
Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Wind Ensemble. At Wade Hampton High School, he
served as Drum Major for two years and marched Alto Sax and Mellophone.
Travis Kenny Smalls
is in his second year with Band of Blue percussion staff.
Mr. Smalls is from Varnville, SC.
Mr. Smalls studied instrumental performance at Newberry College
with Kevin Flowers and also Anderson University with Rodger Whitt. He
currently performs throughout the US as an independent percussionist with
various ensembles.
Mr Langdale is a member of Music Educator's National
Conference and former Treasurer of the Winthrop Chapter. |
Casey Chubb
is a familiar face to the Band of Blue.
Mr. Chubb has been a drum major and leadership instructor and
adjudicator for the band for past several years.
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