IN PICTURES: Marching Band Fanfare

There were plenty of stellar performances inside the stadium at Stuart W. Cramer High School on Saturday, November 5, but the crowd-pleasing action came from marching bands, not football teams.

The school hosted the annual Gaston County Schools Marching Band Fanfare that featured high school bands from across the county.  Each band presented songs related to a particular musical theme, and color guard and dance routines complemented the student musicians’ performances.

The bands from Ashbrook, Bessemer City, Cherryville, Stuart W. Cramer, East Gaston, Forestview, Hunter Huss, North Gaston, and South Point performed their halftime show during the fanfare while Highland’s band kicked off the event with the playing of the national anthem.  

Stuart W. Cramer High School band director Kameron Radford coordinated the program along with help from the Raging Storm Band Boosters.  “This program gives each high school marching band an opportunity to present the halftime show they have been working since August,” said Radford.  “The event also allows band students from across Gaston County to spend time together and see what other marching bands are doing.”

The Marching Band Fanfare is a tradition for Gaston County Schools that began years ago.  It was discontinued in 1991, but the concept was revived in its current format in 2007. Since its return 12 years ago, the fanfare has been held at different high schools, including East Gaston, South Point, North Gaston, Cherryville, Bessemer City, and Stuart W. Cramer.   

The band performances were recorded by the Gaston County Schools Communications Department for broadcast on Spectrum Cable Channel 21, which is the education television channel for the school district.  The performances will be included in a special program that is being developed and will air in December.