This Music in Our Schools Month, we’re celebrating an orchestra program that doesn’t just perform beautifully; it opens doors to extraordinary experiences.
Founded in 1920, District 7’s orchestra program is the oldest public school strings program in South Carolina, and today it continues to set the standard from our middle schools to Spartanburg High.
And this year, our students are continuing a tradition of excellence…
🏆At McCracken Middle, students earned the Gold Outstanding Performance Award, along with Superior and Superior with Distinction ratings at Concert Performance Assessment. Twenty students were selected for Region Orchestra, with three advancing to All-State.
🏆At Carver Middle, the orchestra earned an Excellent rating at CPA, with students representing D7 in Region Orchestra and performing with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
🏆At Spartanburg High School, both orchestras earned Superior with Distinction ratings and the prestigious Gold Outstanding Performance Award. Twenty-eight students were selected for Region Orchestra, with three earning All-State honors.
🏅And this year marked something truly special: a record number of students earning Region Orchestra honors, a milestone that reflects the strength and growth of our program.
But what makes District 7’s orchestra program truly special goes far beyond the accolades.
It’s the experiences our students carry with them…
🎶 Performing for travelers at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport
🎶 Taking the stage at professional conferences and community galas
🎶 Playing alongside and within youth symphonies
🎶 Traveling together from unforgettable trips like Disney to international tours across Europe
And behind every performance is a team of dedicated educators who pour into these students day in and day out. Many of them also serve as leaders in the field, contributing to organizations like the Piedmont Chamber Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association orchestra division.
From their very first notes to standing ovations on big stages, our students are learning more than music. They’re learning discipline, teamwork, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves.
After more than 100 years, District 7 strings are still SHINING on our stages, in our community, and around the world.
#7Shines
This Music in Our Schools Month, we’re celebrating a program that is SHINING from middle school to high school, where students aren’t just learning music, they’re finding their rhythm, their voice, and performing at the highest levels.
At Concert Performance Assessment (CPA), our bands delivered in a big way:
🎶Spartanburg High School Wind Ensemble — Superior Rating
🎶McCracken Middle (7th & 8th grade) — Superior with Distinction
🎶Carver Middle (7th & 8th grade) — Superior with Distinction
The highest honors. Across the board!
And the excellence continues…
🎷Viking Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating at the SCBDA Jazz Performance Assessment
🔥Gold Winter Guard — CWEA SAA Class State Champions
When it comes to marching season, Viking Band doesn’t just play the part; they take center field and own it. This season was nothing short of dominant:
🏆Reservation Tournament of Bands
First Place: Music, Guard, Percussion, In Class and Spirit Award. Top 3 Overall
🏆Chase Tournament of Bands
First Place: Visual, Overall Effect, Music, Percussion, Colorguard, and In Class. 2nd Place Overall
✨ Finished the season with an Excellent rating at State
What makes this program truly special goes far beyond the trophies.
This is a program on the rise—130 students strong—where students find their place, their passion, and their people.
✨ 22 Region Band students
✨ 4 All-State or alternates
✨ 5 selected for the USC Honor Band Clinic
From Friday night lights to the Spartanburg Christmas Parade, from the GSP Airport to performance stages across the state, these students are representing District 7 with pride everywhere they go.
With multiple ensembles having completed recent assessments and a culture built on excellence, this program continues to build momentum and hit every note along the way.
This is more than band.
It’s a family. A standard. A legacy in motion.
At the heart of it all are our incredible middle and high school band educators, guiding, inspiring, and setting the tone for every note of excellence.
This is what it looks like when passion meets precision. This is D7 Band.
#7Shines
✨ Follow the Yellow Brick Road with District 7! ✨
Spartanburg School District 7 proudly presents our annual district-wide musical, The Wizard of Oz—a magical journey filled with unforgettable characters, dazzling performances, and the timeless story we all love. If your family enjoys Wicked, they will love returning to the original story where it all began...
Join Dorothy, Toto (YES, A REAL DOG ON STAGE!), the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Glinda, and even those mischievous flying monkeys as they take the stage in a spectacular student production that truly shines. Our talented students have been working tirelessly to bring this classic to life, and you won’t want to miss it!
🎭 Performance Dates:
April 23–25 at 7:00 PM
April 26 at 3:00 PM
📍 Location:
D7 Fine Arts Center
Spartanburg High School
🎟️ Tickets:
Reserve your seats now at our.show/D7Wizard
In District 7, we say “7Shines,” and this production is a perfect example—where creativity, collaboration, and student talent come together most magically.
For well over a decade, Spartanburg Rotarians have provided this unique opportunity for middle schools to collaborate. Congratulations to all our singers and their teachers, including Spartanburg High School students who were guest solo performers: Reese Crocker, Javian Smith, and Moss Evelyn Wise.
Thank you to the Rotary Club for sponsoring this wonderful concert!
#7SHINES
Friday, March 6, 2026 Announced as In-Person Student Makeup Day
Spartanburg District 7 is announcing an update to its academic calendar to account for the instructional day missed on February 3, 2026 due to snow and ice. Schools were closed with no eLearning on February 3 because District 7 had already reached the maximum of five eLearning Days allowed by the State Department of Education each school year. Therefore, students will attend school on Friday, March 6 to make up this missed day.
State law requires school districts to designate at least three makeup days in their academic calendars each year. March 6 is one of District 7’s designated makeup days, as indicated on our academic calendar when it was released last year.
We understand schedule changes can be inconvenient, and we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we work to ensure we meet all instructional time requirements for our students.
Thank you for your continued support of District Seven schools!
UPDATE FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5: Schools on Regular Schedule
It was wonderful to see our schools full of life again today!
For tomorrow (Thursday), D7 schools will operate on regular schedule.
Temperatures have remained above freezing for more than 24 hours and this trend is expected to continue overnight and through tomorrow.
We have identified only a few roads that buses may be unable to travel safely, so impacted families will be contacted directly by our D7 Transportation Team this evening with an alternate pickup location.
Enjoy the rest of this week and SHINE on, D7!
After carefully evaluating conditions today, we are pleased to share that warmer temperatures helped clear primary and secondary roads a great deal over the last 24 hours. Additionally, temperatures are expected to remain well above freezing overnight and into tomorrow.
Therefore, D7 will operate on a two-hour delay for Wednesday, February 4. Bus schedules and morning drop-off times will occur exactly two hours later than usual.
This delay will help school buses, staff, parents, and student drivers travel more safely to school and will provide additional daylight to improve visibility on roadways. We urge families to ensure student drivers take extra caution while traveling. As always, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
Buses will not run on specific icy roads that continue to pose safety concerns. If your family’s route is impacted, you will receive an alternate pickup location before 6 PM via a phone call, email, and text message from our D7 Transportation Team. If you are not contacted, your bus pickup location will be the same as usual.
Our students have missed a great deal of instruction time over the last week-and-a-half, and we are thrilled to get back to learning and growing TOGETHER as a D7 Family.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
UPDATE FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: Schools Closed (No eLearning)
Due to continuing icy conditions on roads throughout our district, all schools will be closed on Tuesday. Please note Tuesday will NOT be an eLearning day for students because District 7 has already used the five days our state allows for eLearning each school year. All after school activities and events are also cancelled for Tuesday, including District 7’s Board of Trustees meeting.
To clarify expectations for today and tomorrow: Today (Monday) is an eLearning Day. Tomorrow (Tuesday) schools will be closed with no eLearning assignments to complete.
Road conditions will be assessed again on Tuesday afternoon so a decision about Wednesday can be made as soon as possible. We are making every effort to balance timing to make best decision while also giving families time to plan ahead.
Thank you for your understanding. We sure do miss our students and are ready to have everyone back together again!
Please take precautions to stay safe as you enjoy what is left of the snow!
eLEARNING Day Announced for Monday, February 2
Thanks to our latest round of REAL snow, District 7 will hold an eLearning day on Monday February 2 All after school activities and events are also cancelled. We will be monitoring conditions to let you know a decision about Tuesday by early Monday afternoon.
It has been so fun to see our students enjoy the snow! After inviting you all to share your snow photos on our Facebook post yesterday, D7 families have posted nearly 400 photos in the comments of that post. Be sure to check it out to see everyone building snowmen, sledding, and just taking it all in! You will even spot teachers, principals and administrators and their families!
Thank you for your continued partnership and flexibility during this extended stretch of winter weather. Enjoy the snow, take care of one another, and stay safe!
Buses will not run on specific icy roads that continue to pose safety concerns. If your family’s route is impacted, you will be notified no later than 7 PM via a phone call, email, and text message from our D7 Transportation Team. If you are not contacted, your bus pickup location will be the same as usual. We will do our best to provide clear information on an alternate pickup location for roads buses will not travel. If your student has been assigned an alternate pickup location but cannot get to it, and you have no way to transport your child to school and plan to keep your child home tomorrow, you must notify your child’s school and the absence will be excused.
We understand the decision to send a student to school ultimately rests with each family. As always, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Update for Thursday, January 29: D7 eLearning Day
After carefully assessing road conditions again this afternoon, District 7 is announcing an eLearning Day for Thursday, January 29. All afterschool athletic events and activities scheduled for Thursday are also cancelled. While many primary roads have improved a good bit since yesterday and are quite clear, a significant number of secondary roads that D7 buses, student drivers, families, and employees must travel to get to school remain ice-covered.
We are ready to bring our D7 Family back together but must ensure conditions are safe to do so. We miss our students, teachers and staff!
D7 eLearning Day
After carefully assessing road conditions this afternoon, District 7 is announcing an eLearning Day for Wednesday, January 28. While many primary roads are clear, significant safety concerns remain for ice-covered secondary roads throughout our district. All afterschool athletic events and activities scheduled for Wednesday are also cancelled.
As always, the safety of our students, families, and D7 employees is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor conditions to determine when school operations may resume safely.
Thank you for your partnership and support during this time and always – we are grateful for our D7 Family!
We will continue to monitor weather and road conditions across the district and keep our families, teachers and staff informed. As always, safety is our first priority.
If you haven’t yet seen the hundreds of “snow fun” photos shared by our D7 Family on social media yesterday, head over to our district Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GqfrcPCB2/) to scroll through the comments! It is great to see everyone having such a good time.
Please stay safe and enjoy your day!
***All Weekend Activities Cancelled***
District 7 has been closely monitoring the forecast this week and taking important steps to get ready for the days ahead. The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning beginning Saturday and continuing through Monday. As a result, ALL activities and field trips are cancelled for Saturday and Sunday, and District 7 will hold an eLearning Day on Monday, January 26. Below freezing temperatures are expected into next week, so we will continue to monitor conditions and communicate any additional updates.
Teachers have communicated instructions on eLearning assignments. If your student brought their Macbook home today, please be sure they fully charge it TONIGHT so they have full power heading into the weekend, in the event of power outages.
Additional information about District 7’s eLearning guidelines can be found here: https://spartanburg7.org/eLearning
Finally, we know our students were hoping for snow! While chances look slim at this point, students are never too old to put spoons under their pillows, wear PJs inside out, and flush ice cubes in hopes of bringing the white stuff. We hope everyone gets to enjoy some fun, and most of all we hope our entire D7 Family stays safe!
As always, thank you for your partnership and support!
View the full calendar at spartanburg7.org/26_27Calendar
A quick reminder that there will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, November 3 (staff exchange day) and Tuesday, November 4 (Election Day). Before the busy week ahead, be sure to “fall back” one hour on Sunday when Daylight Saving Time ends.
Need a FUN AND SAFE PLACE for your child or teen to go on Monday and Tuesday? Our partners at the City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation & Special Events are offering camps at our community centers! See the attached flyers for info.
Finally, we encourage our entire community to get out and VOTE. To preview your personalized ballot, visit:
👉 https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=Sampleballot
Your voice matters—every vote makes a difference, and we can’t wait to see our community at the polls!
Calling all middle and high school performers — auditions are NEXT WEEK for District 7’s Spring Musical: The Wizard of Oz!
A story full of courage, heart, and unforgettable songs is coming to life, and we can’t wait to see our D7 stars shine! 🌟
🎬 AUDITIONS
October 21 & 22 | 3:45–5:45 PM
Grades 6–12
District 7 Fine Arts Center
Performances: April 23–26, 2026
🎶 WHAT TO PREPARE
Sing: One Disney/Broadway-style song (max 90 seconds). Bring your own accompaniment if needed.
Act: Perform a short monologue (provided at the audition).
Dance: Learn a short routine together at the audition.
Students may leave once their audition is complete. Dress comfortably for movement.
💫 We can’t wait to see our D7 talent shine “somewhere over the rainbow!”
#7Shines
Stay Connected with D7 & Viking Athletics
It’s easy to stay connected to everything happening in District 7 and Viking Nation!
📲 District 7 App
The District 7 app keeps you in touch with our schools—whenever and wherever you need it. With just a tap, you can:
• Read the latest news and updates
• Check upcoming events
• View lunch menus
• Find staff directories
• Receive important notifications
Search for “Spartanburg District 7” in the App Store or Google Play, then personalize it to follow your specific schools and turn on alerts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XmHgqbnBlo
🏈 Viking Athletics App
Cheer on our SHS athletic teams and follow all the action on the NEW SHS Athletics website: spartanburgvikings.org
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For mobile convenience, download the “Spartanburg Viking Athletics” app in the App Store or Google Play and stay current on all things Blue & Gold.
Want even more? Get in-depth coverage of Viking Football on their dedicated site: spartanburgvikingsfootball.com
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To get the most out of the D7 app, check out the short video above for tips on customizing your settings and making the app work for you. And follow us on social media for the latest announcements and offerings:
• Facebook: SpartanburgD7
• Instagram: @spartanburgd7
• YouTube: @SpartanburgSchoolDistrict7
Thank you for staying connected and supporting our students, schools, and Viking Nation — where #7Shines! 🌟
