Students hone skills at Darlington High School band camp
By Samantha Lyles, slyles@newsandpress.net
For the second year, Darlington High School is hosting a three-week Youth Camp, providing focused instruction for aspiring Marching Falcons and Dancing Falcons.
This summer, over 40 students aged 5 to 12 from the Darlington County School District (plus several kids visiting from Florence and North Carolina) honed their skills and learning what it takes to be part of a marching band drum line, to be a drum major, or to join a dance team.
Camp instructor and DHS Band Director Brandon Johnson says the camp offers kids intensive coaching, plus supervision and guidance in a fun setting.
“In addition to learning about dance and music, we also try to give them personal and professional development, focusing on the importance of education, good manners, and being responsible,” says Johnson.
The camp costs $100 for three weeks, and runs from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. each weekday. Johnson says shorter-term enrollments of one week are available, if needed.
Campers will stage a showcase performance on July 7 at 6 p.m. in the DHS cafeteria. Admission to the showcase is free and the public is invited to attend.
Johnson says that starting in 2018, the Youth Camp will be officially renamed to honor the late DHS percussion leader Mikease McFarland, who perished along with his younger brother Miyon in a tragic drowning accident in July of 2016. A renaming ceremony will be held July 28 at Darlington High School.
To learn more about the DHS Youth Camp, contact Brandon Johnson at (843) 398-2741