Kristin Brown is originally from Beech Island.She is a product of the Jackson Middle and Silver Bluff High School band programs.She graduated from Silver Bluff in 2002.After high school, Brown attended the University of South Carolina's main campus in Columbia, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in instrumental music education.While at USC, Brown was part of the Carolina Marching and Concert Bands.She completed her student teaching at Summit Parkway Middle and Spring Valley High School, both under the direction of David Allison.Brown was consistently named to the Dean's List and President's List and graduated Cum Laude in December of 2006.In her spare time, Brown enjoys playing her primary instrument, French Horn, and teaching privately.She married in June 2006 to Kenny Brown who teaches English at North Augusta Middle School.Brown is very excited to be part of Silver Spirit band once again. In 2007, Brown earned the distinct honor of being one of a handful of women to win a Lower and State Championship in South Carolina and won the state competition in the her first year as Director. 2009-2010 will mark Brown's first year as the Aiken County Band Director's Association (ACBDA) President. (Click on Photo to Email)
Bonnie McNeill
Bonnie McNeill received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina. She has taught at New Ellenton Middle School since 1982. McNeill has been the Teacher of the Year at NEMS four times: 1991, 1996 and 2002. She was the Aiken County District Teacher of the Year in 2003. She is married to Jim McNeill, a Social Studies teacher at Silver Bluff. McNeill has two daughters Katie and Laura, both participants in the Silver Bluff Band Program.(Click on Photo to Email)
Randy Hood
Randy Hood is from Columbia, SC where he graduated from Dreher High School in 1976. He received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree and his Certificate of Performance (Flute) in 1980 from the University of South Carolina. He started his career in 1981 at Jackson Middle School and Silver Bluff High School. He was selected Teacher of the Year at Jackson Middle School in 1991 and 2003. He was selected as S.C. Outstanding Young Band Director in 1991 from the American Schools Band Director's Association. His affiliations include, MENC, SCMEA, SCBDA, ASBDA, ACBDA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.(Click on Photo to Email)
Cale Gustafson
Cale Gustafson is a 2006 graduate of Silver Bluff and currently a chemical engineering major/nuclear engineering minor at the University of South Carolina. He was a tenor player for the Epiphany CCU Indoor Drumline in 2006 as well as Palmetto Percussion in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Cale has taught many groups including Silver Bluff HS, North Augusta HS, and Lexington HS.He is currently the percussion instructor/battery arranger for Silver Bluff High School. He will begin his first year on the Palmetto Percussion staff as the tenor technician in 2010. Cale counts numerous people as influences which include: Erik Crook, Colin Brown, AJ Pace, Joel Gardner, and Phil Collins. (Click on Photo to Email)
Jackson Bellamy
Jackson Bellamy is a 2009 graduate of Silver Bluff and begins his first season as an instructor for the Silver Spirit marching program. He marched all four of his high school years with the program receiving three outstanding percussion awards, rookie of the year for the 2005 season, and was the recipient of the esteemed John Phillips Sousa Award upon graduation in 2009. Beyond high school achievements, Jackson has been an integral part of Palmetto Percussion, an Independent Open WGI percussion ensemble as a snare drummer for the last three years. Bellamy has traveled across the country with the group, including World Finals in Dayton, Ohio, a venue where the group has consistently captured a "top six" finish. In addition on planning to remain active with that ensemble, Bellamy is also a part of an up and coming band, Avince. He credits the following as instructors he has benefited from over the years: Colin Brown, Kenny Kominic, Ryan Johnson, Chris Vale, AJ Pace, Tim Davis, Erik Crook, Joel Gardner, Colin McNutt, James Sparling, Alex Mowery, Luis Rivera, Steve Wulff, Christian Videtto, and Cale Gustafson. Jackson attends the University of South Carolina-Aiken, where he is a Psychology major.
Rachel Johnson
Rachel Johnson is a 2006 graduate of Silver Bluff High School. Rachel is currently attending USC Aiken.
Contributors
Jacob Moorhead
Jacob Moorhead graduated from Silver Bluff in 2006 and is working his fourth season with the Silver Spirit marching band. A four year marcher and trumpet player with the program, Moorhead now advises the band with technical requirements for voice overs and other electronic components. Moorhead is head of the House Sound & Lights department at the USCA Convocation Center and is a senior at the University of South Carolina on the threshold of a liberal arts degree in Communications.
Jeremy Rinder
Jeremy Rinder is a 2007 graduate of Silver Bluff. Rinder marched three years with Silver Spirit as an important part of the battery. He returns in 2009 again as a front ensemble contributor. Rinder is known for his academic prowess, managing to acquire and keep a 4.o average at the prestigious Newberry College, nestled in the hills of Newberry, SC. He is a member of the band at the institution and has chosen elementary education as his primary focus of study. He hopes to one day teach fourth or fifth grade. Rinder cites Taylor Swift as one of his primary influences.
2009 Silver Bluff Bands Kristin Brown, Director - Terry Kellems, Booster Club President
