Fort Mill Students Recognized in South Carolina All-State Band Selections

FORT MILL, S.C. — Students across the Fort Mill School District (FMSD) have earned statewide recognition for their musical achievements, securing spots in the prestigious South Carolina All-State Bands. Dozens of middle and high school musicians from the district were selected following a competitive audition process.

Participants were named to one of three All-State ensembles: Junior Band, Clinic Band, and Senior Band, representing the top young instrumentalists in the state.

Junior Band Selections

The Junior Band features top-performing middle school musicians from across South Carolina. This year, 15 students from Fort Mill School District middle schools earned positions in the ensemble, highlighting the district’s strong commitment to early music education.

• Rachel Hildebrand – oboe (Gold Hill Middle)

• Madison Leach – oboe (Gold Hill Middle)

• Lydia Homan – clarinet (Springfield Middle)

• Kavin Perumal Karthikeyan – clarinet (Gold Hill Middle)

• Owen Isenhour – clarinet (Gold Hill Middle)

• Skylar Shepard – clarinet (Gold Hill Middle)

• Katarina Katarincic – alto saxophone (Springfield Middle)

• Sid Gullena – trumpet (Fort Mill Middle)

• Neythri Vijay – horn (Gold Hill Middle)

• Elaina Hildebrand – horn (Gold Hill Middle)

• Emily Li – euphonium (Fort Mill Middle)

• Maksim Smith – tuba (Gold Hill Middle)

• Jacob Belcher – tuba (Forest Creek Middle)

• Hayden Wilson – percussion (Fort Mill Middle)

• Molly Caudill – percussion (Gold Hill Middle)

Clinic Band Selections

The Clinic Band includes advanced high school musicians who demonstrate outstanding skill and potential. Seven students from FMSD high schools were named to this ensemble, with two earning the top chair position statewide in their instrument sections.

• Katherine Smith – contra clarinet (Fort Mill High)

• Paul Trease – tenor saxophone (Fort Mill High) — First Chair in South Carolina

• Robert Hildebrand – horn (Fort Mill High)

• Matthew DiNapoli – trombone (Fort Mill High) — First Chair in South Carolina

• Jack Starkey – tuba (Nation Ford High)

• Henry Lee – tuba (Catawba Ridge High)

• Isabella Stricker – timpani (Fort Mill High)

Senior Band Selections

The Senior Band represents the most advanced high school musicians in the state. Twelve students from FMSD high schools were selected for this elite group, including a first-chair honoree in trombone.

• Haley Kleffman – flute (Fort Mill High)

• Zoe Noznesky – flute (Fort Mill High)

• Lilah Haen – bassoon (Fort Mill High)

• Molly Lessard – clarinet (Nation Ford High)

• Scott DeArment – clarinet (Catawba Ridge High)

• Katie Hanson – clarinet (Nation Ford High)

• Katie Ranft – clarinet (Fort Mill High)

• Lana Lee – clarinet (Catawba Ridge High)

• Zane Snipes – bass clarinet (Catawba Ridge High)

• Casey Stauffer – trombone (Fort Mill High) — First Chair in South Carolina

• Jadon Marcus – euphonium (Fort Mill High)

• Harrison Turner – euphonium (Fort Mill High)

These students demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to their craft, standing out among their peers statewide. Their achievements reflect the strength of the Fort Mill School District’s band programs and the commitment of music educators across the area.