Cane Bay choir, band directors work to build new program

JASIRI WHIPPER
The Post and Courier

Drew Dickey (right) is director of bands at Cane Bay High School.

New programs come with a new school.

Hundreds of students from Stratford High School transferred to form classes at Berkeley County's new Cane Bay High School. But long before the students arrived, teachers and administrators were putting together the framework for new courses and curricula.

William Bennett, choir director of Cane Bay High, has worked through the summer to build the school's choral program.

"It's an exciting thing building that tradition," Bennett said.

He's been busy selecting music and evaluating the talents of his singers. One of his greatest challenges this year will be fundraising. Each set of sheet music, for example, can cost nearly $100 to furnish all members with a copy, Bennett said.

"The hard part is raising money for music, money for outfits and going on trips," Bennett said. "We need sponsorship dollars. The more you have, the more you can do."

Bennett advocates rigorous arts education programs in secondary education. He hopes the community will support Cane Bay's music programs.

"My vision is that this becomes one of the top choral programs in the state, and that we travel both locally and nationally and beyond," Bennett said. "(I would like) this to be a place where kids can make great music."

Assistant Principal Jeannie Schaffer echoed his sentiments and urges community involvement in Cane Bay's programs.

"The school is here for everyone," Schaffer said. "We want to be a part of this community, and we want the community to be a part of us."

Katie Ashby, 15, a sophomore at Cane Bay, is excited about being a part of a choir at a new school. She enjoys performing and being in the spotlight, she said. She also looks forward to forging new friendships through the choir.

"We become like a family," she said. "(Mr. Bennett) wants it to be a home away from home."

Drew Dickey, director of bands for Cane Bay, has recruited and identified band members, purchased instruments and music and led band camp. So far, he is pleased with the progress the music programs have made.

"Everything that has happened here has happened because of not only the support of the parents but the students as well. Students make the difference," he said.

Dickey completed his degree in music at the University of South Carolina in May. This is his first full-time teaching job since graduating.

In college, he was a member of the marching band, wind ensemble and concert band. Dickey student-taught at high schools in Columbia his senior year.

Dickey said he'll place major emphasis on the concert band this year, and hopes to expose band members to a variety of challenging music.

"This first year will set the tone for everything for years to come," he said. "Even 20 years from now, they are going to look back to this year to see how things were done."

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 745-5863 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.