Community Spotlight on Leatherleaf!

JULY 1, 2019

~ Jerry Saxon ~

Chris Freeman is fourteen years old and resides with his family right here in Barefoot Resort and Golf. Chris just completed 8th grade at the North Myrtle Beach Middle School.

Since August of 2015, Chris has been taking private drum lessons at the Don Hambrick Drum Center on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. He has been a percussionist at the Middle School in 6th, 7th and 8th grade and a member of the Jazz Band in 7th and 8th grade. The Jazz Band members audition for the Band and are selected by the music director. As a member of the band, Chris has performed at the annual Winter and Spring concerts. In addition to performing with the group, Chris had his time in the spotlight with several drum solos. As a member of the Jazz Band, Chris performed at various school functions such as pep rallies, Veterans Day salutes, Memorial Day ceremonies and recruitment trips to the NMB Elementary schools to encourage kids to become interested in music.

Chris auditioned and was selected to the All County Band in both 7th and 8th grade. The All County Band is comprised of 7th and 8th grade students from all the middle schools in Horry County. As an 8th grader, Chris was given the first chair designation, which means among the middle schoolers, he was the top-rated percussionist in the County. The All County Band performs a concert each year at the performing arts center at Myrtle Beach High School.

In January, 2019, Chris auditioned at West Florence High School for the All Region Band. Students auditioned from forty-nine Middle Schools covering a six-county area. Chris was selected to the All Region Band and was the only percussionist at the 7th and 8th grade level that was from Horry County. What an impressive feat by this young man. The All Region Band performed in February at Cane Bay High School which is near the city of Charleston.