Harmony in every note: Hillcrest Middle’s band shines under 2nd-year director

To have a successful school band requires a strong director, and Hillcrest Middle School is hitting all the high notes these days with second-year teacher Cornelius Blanding.

Three Wildcat band members who were named all-region and their inspirational director discussed keys to success for the ensemble and milestone achievements for the band recently at the middle school on "The Hill" in Dalzell.

Seventh-graders Kayleigh Ford (flute) and Jaden Robinson (baritone) and eighth-grader Caitlyn Jackson (clarinet) were Hillcrest's first Region 5 Band selections in about a decade, according to school administrators. The region consists of 13 counties in the eastern half of the state.

All three students are 13 years old, started playing in the sixth grade at the school, are passionate about music and want to continue with band in high school and then in college, they said.

Audition requirements for all-region include preparing a solo, knowing seven major scales from memory, sight reading, knowing musical terminology and other concepts.

Ford, Robinson and Jackson are also among about 10 Hillcrest band members who already perform with Crestwood High School's marching band and jazz band.

The trio said to make all-region and perform with the high school ensembles takes a lot of practice after school and at home and credit Blanding for being a caring and knowledgeable leader.

Ford and Jackson said Blanding helps them with musical concepts but also goes beyond music to help them at times with life issues.

"He helps us with everything, even stuff not related to music or school but things in life," Ford said.

Those include dealing with setbacks and having the right attitude, she added.

Blanding is a 2012 Crestwood graduate and Hillcrest's current Teacher of the Year and calls his 60 band members at the school "my kids."

"These are my children," he said. "Even outside of academics, for a lot of my students I am their confidant, and I try to be that safe space for them and teach them life skills."

Blanding was a leader in Crestwood's ensembles while in high school and played saxophone in South Carolina State University's band while in college. He was also the student director at S.C. State, a position directly under the band's staff and director.

Being a relatable person with others has helped Blanding as a leader throughout his career, he added.

"It's those things that do not get taught in textbooks that set me apart from everyone else," Blanding said. "Music theory, educational philosophies and playing techniques - all those things are good, and it is good to know those things - but I am more so talking about the 'heart work' and being able to relate to the students.

"Sometimes that is not just, 'Hey, how are you doing?' Sometimes, it's 'Hey, you need to get your stuff together because I want you to still be here in my band. I don't want you to be kicked out of school.'

"It's those things and being able to build relationships with the kids and have those tough conversations if need be."

His classes have "very high musical standards" to get the students to be accomplished performers, he said.

"A lot of students don't make it," Blanding said. "Some quit because they don't want to do it any more, and they realize it's not just banging on instruments all day. I mean, we have fun, but it's structured fun.

"I also try to have personality and don't like to be boring, and that keeps the kids locked in. I might run around, holler and scream and random things, but it's all to keep them engaged. For me, I think, band is all about making memories anyway. The music is cool, the accolades are cool, but it's a family at the end of the day."

Hillcrest Instructional Coach Misty Roberson said it is a testament to Blanding that he was selected as the school's Teacher of the Year in just his second year at the school. Previously, he served five years in the district at Chestnut Oaks Middle School, where he was also a campus Teacher of the Year.

"He has a great relationship with the kids and has a witty, funny personality," she said. "He cares about the kids and trains leaders in his classes. He is a great leader himself and well respected by his peers."