D. Vincent Clayton is retired after 34 years of teaching, the last 21 years at Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina. He received both the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of South Carolina.
Under his direction, the Ridge View band program received numerous Superior Ratings and awards in marching and concert events. The Blazer Marching Band was a consistent finalist at the South Carolina State Championships and at several Bands of America Regional competitions. The Ridge View Symphonic Band received numerous Superior Ratings at state and national events. They performed at the Bands of America National Concert Festival, four times at the South Carolina Music Educators State Convention, twice at the University of South Carolina Band Clinic, the University of Southern Mississippi Band Clinic, and the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational.
His professional affiliations include the National Band Association which he serves as State Chair for South Carolina, Phi Beta Mu, Pi Kappa Lambda, and he is a Past Chapter President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is also a charter member and Past President of the Palmetto Concert Band, which has performed three times at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Mr. Clayton received the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence” on five different occasions, the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s “Legion of Honor”, Phi Beta Mu’s “Outstanding Bandmaster Award”, and in 2016, Mr. Clayton was inducted into the South Carolina Band Directors Association’s “Hall of Fame” as well as the South Carolina Chapter of Phi Beta Mu’s “Hall of Fame”.
He and his wife Laura reside in Lexington, SC. His daughter, Kelsey is a Doctorate of Clinical Pharmacy and works with children in critical care.
Connie Grantham is a native of North Augusta, South Carolina, and is a graduate of North Augusta High School. She attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor’s of Music Education Degree and an Associate Degree in Business. She has taught band in York School District #1, Spartanburg District #7, and is currently the band director at Fort Mill Middle School in Fort Mill School District #4. Mrs. Grantham is in year twenty-nine of teaching and has been on the faculty at Fort Mill Middle School for fifteen years and is the 2016 Teacher of the Year at Fort Mill Middle School. Mrs. Grantham also works with the band staff at Nation Ford High School Band in the fall during marching band season.
Bands under Mrs. Grantham’s direction have received numerous superior ratings at state and regional concert festivals, performed at the SCMEA In-Service Conference three times as a featured performing group and in a workshop session with Bruce Pearson of Kjos Music. Mrs. Grantham’s bands have received the SDBDA Outstanding Performance Award twenty-seven times. Mrs. Grantham has also been honored by twice receiving the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence” (2006 and 2011) and the Women’s Band Director International “Scroll of Excellence” (2011).
Mrs. Grantham is an active clinician and adjudicator for middle and high school bands. She has worked in many states that include South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. She is a member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association and is a Past-President of this organization. Mrs. Grantham has held other leadership responsibilities with SCBDA as Recording Secretary, Concert Festival Chairman, and is the site host for the Rock Hill Solo and Ensemble event for SCBDA. Mrs. Grantham currently serves the SCBDA as Parliamentarian. Other professional affiliations include: Phi Beta Mu International Music Fraternity, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), South Carolina Music Educators Association, South Carolina Band Directors Association, National Band Association, Women Band Directors International, American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Music Education.
Mrs. Grantham lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with her husband, Randy, who is the Assistant Band Director at Rock Hill High School, Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Grantham’s have a daughter named Dottie and a son, Will.