OCTOBER 25, 2026 (Fort Mill, SC) — Nation Ford High School Marching Band won their 12th State Championship title on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The band’s 2026 win marks a three-peat achievement after earning the 5A State Championship title in 2024 and 2025.
South Carolina State Championships are hosted by South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA), taking place over three weeks for classes 1A – 6A. Class 5A State Championships were held at River Bluff High School in Lexington, SC.
5A State Championships Preliminary and Finals Results
In preliminary competition, Nation Ford was named the 5A Upper State Champion, earning High Visual and High Overall Effect awards for the performance.
Preliminary Scores (5A)
Nation Ford HS – 91.950
Catawba Ridge HS – 91.400
West Florence HS – 88.150
In finals competition, Nation Ford placed first among the twelve top scoring 5A bands in South Carolina. The band’s finals performance also earned the High Visual award.
Finals Scores
Nation Ford HS – 93.200
Catawba Ridge HS – 93.000
West Florence HS – 90.200
The Nation Ford Band’s season will come to a close after this upcoming weekend’s performance at BOA Middle Tennessee Regional Championship hosted at Tennessee Tech University’s Tucker Stadium.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
