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From Four Came One Great Power....
Richmond County had high school bands, even marching bands, before, but in the summer and fall of 1972, the musicians from the former Ellerbe, Hamlet, Rockingham, and Rohanan High Schools joined together to create the very first group of Richmond Senior High School Marching Raiders.
*click on images to view larger versions when available*
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"One director to rule them all"
(my apologies to Tolkien)
David Doolittle, the former Rockingham High and Marching Rockets band director, would be the first to take the helm of the green and gold.
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Let Us In!
These students stand just outside the gate looking longingly towards the band room.
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The first group of Marching Raiders set the standards of musicianship for all future members to follow.Allstate Band Members Bruce Allen, (Drum Major) Denise Traylor, and David Griggs.
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The Marching Raiders on the field of the newly christened Raider Stadium.
Click here to view the line up of musicians from this year's annual
(this list appears incomplete)
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Every marcher know that their show is always better when you feel the music, and even though I can't hear these Raiders, this picture certainly shows the music being felt.
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Now this is one straight line!
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The Guard's flag line and majorettes help the cheerleaders welcome the Raider football team onto the field.
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The Raiders' first rifle squad
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You mean the Guard actually carried the Colors at some point?
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The Color Guard flag line
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The Wonderful World of Travel!
The Marching Raiders have always taken great trips, and that standard, too, was set this first year with a trip to Disney World!
"My best memory of being a Marching Raider occurred when we traveled
to Florida to perform at Walt Disney World. From "step-off" near the front of
the Magic Kingdom, we marched up Main Street, reorganized in concert formation
in front of Cinderella's Castle for a ten minute concert "stop", then
continued through Frontierland and exited by Splash Mountain. It was a fun
and exciting trip-- and the high point of my high school band career.
Today (almost 36 years later), I work as a guest talent coordinator at Walt
Disney World, hosting the many groups that visit from around the world to
perform on our stages and march prior to our parades. The "process" is much
different today, but I still see the same elation on the faces of the
performers that I witnessed on OUR faces in 1973. It's a great feeling.
My Raider Band experience didn't end when I graduated in 1974. I was
followed in the band ranks by a younger sister (Vickie Benson 1976-80),
who (thankfully) allowed me to be a part of her crew. have
wonderful stories involving that lovable group of "hoodlums". (off the field,
of course!). I could write a book!"
Tina (Benson) Skenes
I'd like to thank Tina for sharing this story from the first season.
She posted this information in the FaceBook group, RSHS Marching Raider Band.
Come to face book and join in, we have over 100 members, and it's free.
Contact Me With Questions, Comments, or Ideas!
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