Seven of Hardeeville-Ridgeland Middle School's talented musicians traveled to Athens, GA December 6th-8th, 2018 to participate in the University of Georgia 28th Annual Middle School Band Festival and Clinic. After earning a recommendation from their director, Mrs. Christina Randall, the students were chosen, along with about 2,000 other middle school students from the southeast to attend the clinic. HRMS students chosen were: Randi Hanney (8th grade flute), Lae'L Durden (7th Grade flute), Mikayla Ferguson (8th grade clarinet), Sole' Bennett (7th grade bass clarinet), Ariel Monge Barrera (8th grade baritone saxophone), Adriana Campos (8th grade trumpet), and Carmen Mulligan (8th grade trombone).
Upon their arrival, each student performed an individual audition which helped to place them in one of eight clinic bands. On Friday, each student was placed in a band with approximately 150 other students from the southeast and each band rehearsed for approximately five hours with a distinguished guest clinician. On Friday evening, students attended a special concert performance by the Durham Middle School 8th Grade Band and the University of Georgia Wind Symphony. On Saturday, the bands rehearsed for another two hours. That afternoon, each band performed a concert consisting of three to five concert pieces at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center.