The Rockingham Middle School Band achieved remarkable success this past Saturday, May 17, at the Carowinds Music Festival.
Forty talented students traveled to the popular amusement park to showcase their musical skills, earning high praise and a prestigious ranking.
Under the dedicated direction of Mr. Curtis Swallow, the ensemble performed three carefully prepared pieces. Their performances were evaluated by renowned judges —Dr. Catherine Rand, Dr. Arris Golden and Dr. George Naft — who unanimously rated the band as a Superior Band, the highest possible accolade at the festival.
Mr. Swallow expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the band is an auditioned group open to all grade levels, selected based on ability and dedication.
“It’s extraordinary that such a young band, with twenty first-year musicians, could earn Carowinds’ highest rating.” he said. "Especially when less than 10% of bands at the festival typically receive a Superior Rating.”
While Dr. Naft was the most critical on the scorecard, he was also the most spirited and encouraging. His constructive advice inspired the students to improve, and his enthusiasm highlighted the many strengths of the ensemble. The judges’ closing remarks reflected their appreciation:
“This is pretty darn good! There’s a lot of great little things going on… I was very pleased. You’re doing a wonderful job, and everything sounded very good. Great teaching is evident here. Kudos to you and your director.” — Dr. Catherine Rand
“I’ve really enjoyed this! It’s clear that your band director is both a fine musician and a dedicated teacher. The amount of learning and teaching happening here is impressive. Congratulations on your achievement.” — Dr. George Naft
“This is really nicely done. All three pieces showcased excellent playing. Nice work, everyone.” — Dr. Arris Golden
After their successful performance, students had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the park’s rides and games.
Sophia, a band member, shared her experience: “I loved the whole experience, but spending time with friends and family was the best part.”
The success at Carowinds has energized the band program and inspired students to continue their musical journey.
Anna, another student, emphasized the joys of being in band: “It’s really fun because you learn new things and meet people who share your interests. I’d recommend band to anyone — it helps you come out of your shell and express yourself.”
As the school year concludes, the community looks forward to more performances and continued excellence in the Rockingham Middle School Band.
