The High School Heroes of Halftime

High School Heroes of Halftime

"Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both? "
- Tony Stark "Iron Man" (2008)

In 2004, Steve G. Sanders Jr. and a group of band students at a military school in Charleston had a vision. With the school gaining a high school football team, the goal was made to create a traditional style band that would be the best in the State of South Carolina. Two years later, the Heroes of Halftime was born and for its short two years became one of the most talked about bands in the South, not just South Carolina.

The Award Winning High School Heroes of Halftime (H3) was a powerhouse 48 instrumental ensemble that performed during football games and other selected performances. Donning simple red and white warm-ups, the band was well on it's way to stardom performing for everyone from the College of Charleston to the Charleston Battery. Membership in the band required strenuous physical exercise and the ability to play the difficult music encountered in the activity. The band had remained consistent in earning no lower than "Excellent" ratings at band competitions, and was always looking for a challenge big or small, this band challenged them all.

All students that were enrolled in the band program were required to participate. Special cases in which band members could not work band into their class schedule or participate in sports that conflict with band performances and/or practices played in the parades only or things were worked out with coaches and parents.

Silver Essence, which contained 14 of the finest girls on the campus, was the dance and flag line that performed with the band. Young ladies that were in 9-12 grades that wished to become a member went to auditions in the spring before they participated in the fall. The individuals that were selected to go through the audition process learned and performed a flag and dance routine. Once selected, they were required to attend to all of the H3 practices and performances.

Current auxiliary members were encouraged to participate in South Carolina State Universities Summer Band Camp. The Ladies of Sliver Essence attends and participates actively in all practices that are called by the band staff. Audition were by invitation only and interested ladies had to contact the director for the requirements.

New students that transferred in the Academy were placed after meeting playing requirements. In the spring after Concert Festival, the band had spring drills, in which new members got a taste of how it was to be a member of H3. Music was introduced along with the band leaders any new Silver Essence members during that time.

Leaders along with other dedicated students attended SC State's Marching Band Camp to learn and perfect the marching style over the summer. During band camp, the band came together to work on the halftime shows, concert selections, sectional features, and stand tunes.

The students' success didn't stop there, after the band then moved to concert season. The band actively participated in Concert Festival. One year they received the overall highest rating in the South Carolina in its performing class. The first three graduating classes' valedictorians were all band students.

Even though the Heroes of Halftime is no longer active, band students, parents, and fans alike acknowledged the band's motto. "H3: how halftime is (or was) done!!!"

Here is one of the last performances of the High School Heroes of Halftime.

Here is a recording of the band at Concert Festival.

Here are some random shots of H3. Some have never been seen on the net before.