MARCHING BAND/COLOR GUARD Q&A: DORMAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA

With the Student Section in off-season mode, we look to put our focus on the Marching Bands and Color Guards!

This website obviously put the focus on the Student Sections as it is the only reason we stay active, but many of these Student Sections have some solid bands that give them the energy or at the least share that insane energy. They play the right music to keep the hype up, the interact with the Student Section and the work they put week after week to prep for the game is impressive and that deserves some recognition.

We did do a Marching Band/Color Guard Q&A called “I’m with the Band Q&A” (not my greatest title, I know!) with some Bands in Southern California in 2019 when we only covered Student Sections in SoCal, but with a much much bigger followed, we figured we bring this idea back to life!

Plus it helps to get the assistance from South Carolina Bands (@southcarolina_bands on Instagram), Alabama Bands (@bama_bands on Instagram) and Bands of the US (@bands_of_the_us on Instagram) helping us out to find the best Bands that want you to get to know them!

Today we return to South Carolina after making a visit to the West Coast! We check out the Dorman Marching Band and Color Guard.

We are very familiar with the Dorman Student Section. They have been a consistent power in South Carolina. With one exception, they have been a Top 10 Student Section in South Carolina with the one exception putting them in the Top 20. This is a consistent Student Section power, so you have to assume that the Marching Band and Color Guard are right up there when it comes to rowdiness (of course they have their professional side too when it’s showtime).

We spoke with some of the members of the Dorman Marching Band and Color Guard on how they prepare for Friday Nights and other events while also having some fun!

MARCHING BAND/COLOR GUARD Q&A: DORMAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA

What is the weekly routine to prepare for a football game and the halftime show? Are there adjustments made every week?

Dorman: Preparing for football games and competitions include running music and and drill formations. We make adjustments throughout the week based on feedback from directors as well. Even if it’s last minute our band knows how to pull through.

Make Sure to follow us in Instagram (@studentsectrep). The more followers, the better chance we can travel to visit your Student Section.

Do you enjoy the game or follow it as it goes along or are you focused with your job?

Dorman: At football games there can definitely be a mix of focus. Some students don’t exactly care for the actual game, but more for the atmosphere and playing fun tunes with their friends and playing at halftime.

Do you play any pop culture songs and if so, which is your favorite?

Dorman: We play a handful of pop culture songs. One of our favorites are| “Blinding Lights” by The Weekend. This song really brings us together from its catchy choreography to its lyrics!

Want to see your Marching Band/Color Guard on here? Message us on Instagram (@studentsectrep) and let us know!

What kind of appreciation do you get from people at the games?

Dorman: Generally, at games the appreciation we get comes from the stands and student section.
Our school definitely shows respect for us. We often play music everyone may know and enjoy, and we notice groups of people singing, dancing, or just overall enjoying what we’re playing. Even after bigger performances like the halftime show we often are told how much someone enjoyed it or how well put together and professional we may have looked during the performance.

Do you guys interact with the Student Section?

Dorman: We interact with the student section from time to time. Our school loves when we play during the games. We’ve gotten some feedback from many students that the game has more energy when we’re around compared to when we aren’t! Sometimes during halftime, we go to the student section to talk to some friends that may not be in the band.

Do you perform at other Dorman sports functions like basketball and how has the reception been?

Dorman: We play at some basketball pep rallies, and our school shows us lots of support as they cheer us on along with the team. The overall environment for playing at pep rallies is an experience that radiates positivity. We get to play our favorite stand tunes and laugh with our friends while watching an entertaining game.

What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment as a member of the band/color guard?

Dorman: A member from guard says their most embarrassing moment was dropping their rifle at finals during a solo and all eyes being on them.

Be ready for August for our 2025 Fall Student Section preview for all 50 states as well as Canada and Washington DC. Let us know who should be ranked high in our preseason preview!

Any other band that you enjoy hearing from the other side of the stadium?

Dorman: We enjoy hearing from Byrnes and Wando!!