SCBDA Colleagues,
As stated at our webinar on Friday, July 3, it was decided that we would delay a decision on the state of Marching Band Championships for two weeks in an attempt to gather as much information as possible and be able to make a more informed decision. Within the last two weeks, we have kept a close watch on the daily DHEC reports as well as continued to gather information from other states, associations, and South Carolina band programs on their competitive plans for the Fall of 2020.
It is with great disappointment that we announce that the 2020 SCBDA Marching Band Championships (Upper/Lower Prelims, State Finals, 5A Festival/Championships) are canceled. The health and well-being of our students, spectators, and directors are of the utmost importance and with the information before us at this point, we see no viable and safe option to make these events happen. While we recognize that the marching band activity is an integral part of each high school band program in South Carolina, we feel that suspending the 2020 events is the responsible and safe thing to do at this point.
Please know that we are continuing to look at possible virtual options and will present those options to the membership in accordance with our By-laws if we deem a virtual format as a viable and feasible option. Please also know that this does not mean that marching band cannot or should not happen at your school. We encourage each director to make decisions about your marching band experience this fall with your school and community needs in mind.
If we can be of assistance to any of you during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Chaz Paxton, President
Leah Turner, Vice President
Chuck Deen, President-Elect
Leslie Gilreath, Marching Chair