Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2018

49 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com leaders of Mount Pleasant’s middle schools. “Our middle schools are fantastic,” exclaimed Lambert. “They just give us an amazing foundation.” Scott, who has directed band at Cario Middle School for 18 years, leads a program that has regularly placed the most kids in All-State programs, including 26 students last year. He said that regardless of musical interest or talent, Cario’s band program focuses on the process of being successful and surrounding yourself with the right kind of people so that when these students enter high school, they are “well-versed in what it takes to succeed.” This in turn reinforces the leadership qualities and time-management skills that Wando expands upon. “Music is the vehicle, but it’s not the only goal,” Scott said. He understands that it “takes a village,” and Cario’s band program has enrolled 200 kids in private lessons this year, employing 30 of Charleston’s most eminent musicians in an effort to expose students to the highest- quality professional instruction. “When someone comes into this program (WHS Band), they need to be ready to play,” stated WHS Band Boosters President Jay Johnston. “The more prepared they are coming in, the faster this program can go.” But developing a winning brand doesn’t come cheap, and this standard of excellence wouldn’t be achievable if a band program didn’t find the funding to pay its expenses. BAND BOOSTERS The WHS band program receives approximately $30 per student from the Charleston County School District. feature Wando High School marching band exhibition. Photo by Jenny Gill.