The RHHS Marching Wildcats

Sometimes the only way forward is to eliminate the possibility of turning back. That’s the idea behind Burning the Boats, the Richmond Hill High School Marching Wildcats’ 2026 competition show, inspired by the historical concept of armies destroying their own ships upon reaching foreign shores, leaving retreat off the table. For the 174 students who bring the production to life, it’s more than a theme. It’s a mindset.

“Burn the Boats is about making a commitment and not looking back,” explains RHHS Director of Bands Stephen Hendricks. “There are going to be challenges along the way, but you keep moving forward.” It’s a message that has proven especially fitting during a season marked by weather-related challenges and the determination to overcome them.

The production is an intricate combination of powerful music, movement, solos, section features and full-band performances, each element intentionally designed to help tell the story. What makes it even more impressive? The entire production was written in-house. RHHS alumnus Stan Phillips arranged the wind music, while the band’s staff wrote the rest. Planning began nearly a year in advance, followed by hundreds of hours of student rehearsals throughout the summer and fall.

And all that hard work is paying off. The Marching Wildcats have captured Grand Champion honors at both the Coastal Empire Classic and the Marching Mustang Invitational this season. But don’t expect Hendricks to make winning the focus.

“We purposely don’t spend time talking about winning. We relentlessly talk about getting better. We talk about ‘winning the process’ and being intentional with everything we do,” he says. “If we are disciplined in doing the right things in rehearsal, competitive success will take care of itself.”

For those watching from the stands, it’s easy to marvel at the precision of students performing challenging music while moving across a football field. What spectators don’t see are the countless hours, difficult rehearsals and small victories that make it possible. “Every moment in the show has a rehearsal story,” Hendricks says. “The audience just sees the tip of the iceberg.”

And while the trophies are exciting, it’s the transformation of his students that means the most. “I love music, but I don’t teach band because I love music. I teach band because I love watching young people get better and achieve things they didn’t think were possible.”

Want to see what going all in looks like? Richmond Hill High School will host the South Georgia Marching Band Championships on Saturday, October 24, welcoming 14 bands, including performances by RHHS and Georgia Southern University. The Marching Wildcats take the field at 8:20 p.m., giving the community an opportunity to experience Burning the Boats firsthand and cheer on the students who have made this season one to remember.