SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL CONCERT FESTIVAL
Festival Overview
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Launched in 1992 as Bands of America’s National Concert Band Festival, Bands of America rekindled the concert band tradition in America as exemplified by the National Band Contest in the 1930s, which drew national recognition for a young director named William D. Revelli. In an ongoing partnership, Music for All and Georgia State University collaborate together to present the Southeastern Regional Concert Festival for bands. This Festival is an integral part of their ongoing work to advance student excellence and to support advocacy of music and arts education.
Being invited is the achievement! The Festival’s non-competitive atmosphere provides a place for growth, cooperative encouragement and mutual respect among music programs, students, parents, boosters, and administrators. Directors select their own programs; there is no required repertoire. There are no ratings or rankings so directors and their ensembles are free to stretch themselves, reach for new heights, and strive for innovation, growth and excellence, instead of focusing on a rating or placing.
Participating students experience an atmosphere of mutual respect while enjoying concerts from other outstanding ensembles. Ensembles that perform at the Festival are recognized as being among the finest in the Southeastern Region of the United States. Participation is a “credential” worth having. The preparation process itself can have a positive affect on your music program.
Concert Performances & Clinics
Each ensemble performs a concert before a knowledgeable audience, including the Festival evaluation panel, music educators, and fellow ensembles. Directors receive recorded and written comments from the evaluators. Directors also receive a recorded conductor view video. Following the performance, each invited ensemble receives an on-stage clinic with the Lead Festival Clinician and one other member of the evaluation panel.
Scheduled Observation
Concert observation time is scheduled and required for each ensemble, ensuring that all ensembles perform for a knowledgeable, appreciative audience who in turn enjoy outstanding performances of quality literature.
Master Classes
All students participate in instrumental master classes, led by top applied faculty and professional musicians. This opportunity provides for interaction with outstanding performers whose insight and experience exemplify musical achievement.
2024 INVITED ENSEMBLES
2024
Auburn Junior High School | Wind Symphony | Joshua Wine
Bonaire Middle School | Symphonic Band | Leah Williams
Buford Middle School | Symphonic Band | Kathy Mason
Cass Middle School | Honor Band | Abigail Russom
Couch Middle School | Symphonic Rams | Marc Kaufman
Lost Mountain Middle School | 8th Grade Symphonic Band | Brittany Mori
Taylor Road Middle School | Symphonic Band | Angela Reynolds
Trickum Middle School | Symphonic Winds | Robert Davidson & Jessie Matthews
Cambridge High School | Wind Ensemble | Daniel Scott
Chattahoochee High School | Wind Ensemble | Nick Garofalo
Hickory Ridge High School | Wind Ensemble | Chris White
Newnan High School | Wind Ensemble | Joshua Boyd
North Gwinnett High School | Symphonic Winds | Greg Gibson
Virgil I Grissom High School | Symphonic Band 1 | Theo Vernon
Walton High School | Wind Symphony | John Palmer
Winter Park High School | Wind Symphony | Mike Clemente
2024 EVALUATORS
Cheryl Floyd
Richard Floyd
Albert Nguyen
Myra Rhoden
Cheryl Floyd
Cheryl Floyd completed her twenty-fifth year as Director of Bands at Hill Country Middle School in Austin, Texas in May 2017. Prior to her tenure at Hill Country, she served as Director of Bands at Murchison Middle School, also in Austin, for eight years. Musical organizations under her leadership have consistently been cited for musical excellence at both local and national invitational festivals. Mrs. Floyd is recognized nationally for her educational and musical achievements at the middle school level. The Hill Country Middle School Band has performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1998 and again in 2006, Music for All’s National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis (March 2012), as well as the Western International Band Clinic (November 2014) under Mrs. Floyd’s direction. Since retirement in 2017 Mrs. Floyd continues to enjoy an active schedule, travelling extensively as an adjudicator, clinician, author, university lecturer and guest conductor with engagements in some 30 states including presentations at numerous state music association conference and at the 2019 Midwest Clinic. When not travelling she maintains a flute studio for young students and serves as a mentor for middle school band directors in the greater Austin area. Cheryl Floyd was the recipient of the Texas Bandmasters Association Exemplary Middle School Band Program Citation in 1908 and she appeared on the cover of the May 2005 Instrumentalist magazine which contained a featured article on the Hill Country Middle School band program. She takes great pride in holding the distinction of being among the first women guest conductors of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. in September,1998. In 2003, Mrs. Floyd was elected to the American Bandmasters’ Association. She is the fifth female member of this 225-member organization and the first middle school band director to be chosen for ABA membership. In 2016 she was named a Yamaha master educator, one of only 20 in the nation. For three decades, she has maintained a keen interest in commissioning new works for concert band and has collaborated with such internationally recognized composers as Frank Ticheli, Cajun Folk Songs, Shenandoah, Bob Margolis, Renaissance Fair, Dana Wilson, Sang!, Ron Nelson, Courtly Airs and Dances, Steven Barton, Hill Country Flourishes, Chris Tucker, Twilight in the Wilderness. Catherine McMichael, Cape Breton Postcard, Undertow, by John Mackey Spangled Heavens by Donald Grantham, a consortium commission for TMEA's MS Region 18 by Viet Cuong entitled Diamond Tide, and most recently, Sparkle by Scott McAllister.. The works generated by these ongoing projects have been widely acclaimed as being among the most significant works for young band.
Richard Floyd
Richard Floyd has amassed a distinguished career at virtually every level of music education and wind band performance. He most recently retired as the University Interscholastic League State Director of Music at the University of Texas at Austin and now holds the title Texas State Director of Music Emeritus. He also has just completed a 35-year tenure as Musical Director and Conductor of the Austin Symphonic Band, viewed to be one of the premier adult concert bands in America. He currently is enjoying his 59th year of professional involvement as a conductor, music educator, author, clinician, and administrator. His ensembles have performed at numerous state and national conventions and conferences including the 1977 College Band Directors National Association, the 1981 Music Educators National Conference and concerts at the Midwest International Clinic in Chicago in 1989, 1997 and 2007. Other distinguished performances include concerts for the American Bandmasters Association in 1993 and 2006 and the 2004 Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. In addition, he has toured extensively as a clinician and conductor throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The Texas Bandmasters Association named him Texas Bandmaster of the Year in 2006 and presented him with the TBA Lifetime Administrative Achievement Award in 2008. He received the Texas Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame and Texas PBM Hall of Fame in 2011. Also, in 2011 he was awarded the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Medal of Honor for distinguished service to the profession and in 2018 was recognized as a Midwest Clinic Legend. In 2014 he was inducted into the National Band Association Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts and was also honored with the Kappa Kappa Phi Distinguished Service to Music medal. Mr. Floyd’s held the post of National Secretary for the College Band Directors National Association from 1979 to 2007 and he has played an active leadership role in that organization’s many projects and services for over four decades. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Music for All and is a Yamaha Master Educator. In 2006 he was featured on the GIA Produced DVD entitled Kindred Spirits from the series Conducting from The Inside Out. Other conductors included H. Robert Reynolds, Craig Kirchhoff, and Allan McMurray. In 2015 his book entitled The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music was published to critical acclaim by GIA Publications. His second book, The Seven Deadly Sins of Music Making was released by GIA in August 2020.
Albert Nguyen
Albert Nguyen, Director of Bands, conducts the UofM Wind Ensemble, directs the graduate level instrumental conducting program, and oversees the Athletic, Symphonic and University Bands. Dr. Nguyen was the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Memphis for three years and served as Interim Director of Bands in 2011-2012.
Before coming to the University of Memphis, Dr. Nguyen served as a Graduate Assistant at The University of Texas at Austin where he directed the Concert Band and was a member of the Longhorn Band teaching staff. He was also an assistant conductor for the Wind Ensemble and frequently appeared as a guest conductor with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band and Chamber Winds. Dr. Nguyen began his professional teaching career in Arkansas as the Director of Bands at Morrilton High School.
Maintaining his connection with public schools, Dr. Nguyen frequently serves as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and the Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, the College Band Directors National Association and is a contributing author in the GIA publication - Teaching Music through Performance in Band, Volume 7.
Myra K. Rhoden
Dr. Myra Rhoden serves as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chairperson at Fayette County High School (GA). She is also the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp (athenacamp.com), an all-girls music program created to promote musical excellence while emphasizing leadership skills. Rhoden frequently serves as a guest conductor for state, regional, and university honor bands and is honored to have presented sessions at The Midwest Clinic, various national, state and regional conferences, and for school systems and professional development clinics throughout the United States and Canada.
A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Dr. Rhoden was named the NAfME 2018 National Band Director of the Year, has been awarded the Outstanding Service to Music Award from Tau Beta Sigma, the Golden Rose Award from Women Band Directors International, multiple Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and has been named STAR Teacher and Teacher of the Year. She had the distinct pleasure of being a guest conductor for the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D. C. and the Tara Winds of Atlanta, Georgia. She is honored to be a member of the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, serves as a Conn Selmer Educational Clinician and was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2023. She holds degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Southern Mississippi and resides in Fayetteville, Georgia with her husband, Errol Jr. Their son, Errol III, is a freelance musician based in Los Angeles.
Terry Austin, Virginia Commonwealth University
Travis Cross, University of California, Los Angeles
Steve Davis, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Rodney Dorsey, Indiana University
Cheryl Floyd, Hill Country Middle School, TX, Retired
Richard Floyd, UIL State Director of Music, Emeritus
Gary Green, University of Miami, Retired
Gary W. Hill, Arizona State University
Roy Holder, Lake Braddock High School, VA, Retired
Col. Timothy Holtan, US Army, Retired
James F. Keene, University of Illinois, Retired
Craig Kirchhoff, University of Minnesota, Retired
John Lynch, Conductor, Composer, Teacher
Sarah McKoin, Texas Tech University
Allan McMurray, University of Colorado, Retired
Tania Mitchell-Spradlin, Penn State University
Scott Rush, Dorchester Two School District, SC
Susan Smith, Troy University
Alfred Watkins, Lassiter High School, Retired
Marguerite Wilder, GIA Publications
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where does the Festival take place?
The Festival is hosted on the Georgia State University campus, specifically housed in the Rialto Center for the Arts.
The physical address to the Rialto is:
80 Forsyth Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
When must we arrive to participate?
A suggested arrival time will be indicated on the event schedule but ensembles may consider arriving in Atlanta earlier to ensure sufficient time for unload, check-in, and being present at the first session to which you are assigned. Although arrival time is left to the discretion of the director, we suggest arriving no later than the time indicated on the event schedule.
Where do buses and equipment trucks park during the Festival?
Georgia State University will provide detailed information regarding designated unload and reload times during the Festival. Parking for buses and trucks is typically at Georgia State's Center Parc Stadium. Overnight parking will not be available. Unload/Reload and Parking Maps will be provided to invited ensembles.
What is the dress code?
Participants will adhere to a dress code as well as a code of conduct that enhances the world-class atmosphere of the Festival. Ultimately, each director determines ensemble dress code. There are restroom facilities available should students in your ensemble need to change clothes.
Are meals provided during the Festival?
Meals are not included in the Festival pricing structure. Georgia State University will offer the option to purchase meal vouchers for use in the on-campus dining facilities at an additional per person cost. You may also choose to take your students to any number of restaurants on and around campus or order meals to be delivered to the Rialto lobby. Suggestions are listed below.
Ali Baba’s (Mediterranean), Best Cajun Asian (Asian), Brick Stone (sandwiches, salad, pastas), CNN Center (food court), Dua Vietnamese Noodle Shop (Vietnamese), Ginseng Chinese Café (Chinese), Hard Rock Café (American), Jimmy John’s, Landmark Diner, Mama Mia (pizza, wings, salads, subs), Moe’s Southwest Grill, Naan Stop (Indian), Rising Roll (sandwiches, soups, salads), Rosa’s Pizza, Reuben’s Deli (sandwiches, soups, salads), Smoothie King
What is the permitted concert length?
High school ensembles have a 40-minute performance time. Middle school ensembles have a 30-minute performance time. All performance times are inclusive of concert music, reading of program notes between each piece, presentation of awards, and set changes between pieces. Each concert is followed by a 20-minute clinic on the performance stage. Because of limited setup and tear down time, risers are not permitted.
What is an Ensemble Host?
Each invited ensemble will have a Georgia State University host that will stay with the ensemble for the entirety of their performance cycle. This person will be there to answer your questions, guide you to different locations on campus, and assist in any way possible.
Is attendance required at all scheduled events and activities, including audience times?
Yes. The Festival promises to be educational and inspirational for your ensemble, and you will want to be a part of the full experience. It is imperative that your ensemble attends all scheduled events. Countless hours of preparation have gone into the schedule to ensure that each performing ensemble receives a complete and attentive audience. Ensembles that do not participate in their assigned audience time and master classes may forfeit their right to apply for this Festival in the future. Attending other ensemble performances is part of the educational aspect of the Festival. As a performing ensemble, playing to a knowledgeable and attentive audience is very rewarding.
Do we provide our own programs?
Part of what makes the Festival such an unparalleled experience is the attention to detail and quality that goes into every aspect. Georgia State University will produce a glossy, high-quality program book for the Festival that includes information on all of the participating ensembles. This program will be a lifelong keepsake and eliminates the need for ensembles to produce and provide their own printed programs for their Festival performance. Each ensemble will receive one (1) full page in the program book. Proofs will be sent for director’s approval prior to printing. Each participating student and director will receive one complimentary copy of the Festival program book.
Will we receive audio or video recordings?
Each ensemble will receive a professional audio recording and audience view video recording. Both will be unedited. If desired, directors may work directly with the audio engineer to master the recording in post-production.
What equipment is provided?
Georgia State University will provide the percussion equipment as indicated on the Supplied Equipment List. We hope to provide ALL large equipment needed for your performance to ease in logistical flow. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the performing ensemble to secure equipment beyond that supplied by Georgia State University for warm-up and performance. Due to time and space demands, performing ensembles are not allowed to use their own equipment if listed. Additionally, risers are not permitted.
Are pianos provided?
Concert grand pianos will be provided in the performance areas.
How many music scores must be provided for the Festival?
The Festival’s evaluation panel is comprised of world-class educators. Each invited ensemble is required to provide four original scores of each piece, or have secured written permission from the publisher to make and submit photocopies. All scores will be submitted upon your arrival at Festival Check-In. Georgia State University remains in strict compliance of copyright laws.
What is the cost and payment schedule for the Festival?
The total cost is $50 per student participant.
The payment schedule for the Festival is as follows:
November 1: $500 non-refundable deposit due per ensemble
January 30: Balance due
The ensemble participation fee is determined by your submitted roster count (due on January 15). The $500 deposit will be applied to your final balance. All fees paid are non-refundable.
PREVIOUSLY INVITED ENSEMBLES
2023
Hightower Trail Middle School | 8th Grade Symphonic Band | Fred Norton
Lakeside Middle School | Symphonic Band | Reggie Humphrey
Louis Pizitz Middle School | Symphonic Band | Leah Seng
Mabry Middle School | Symphonic Band | Jill Barnocki
North Gwinnett Middle School | 8th Grade Symphonic Band | Travis Downs
Riverwatch Middle School | Symphonic Band | Hunter McGee
South Forsyth Middle School | Symphonic Band | Andrew Poor
Thompson Middle School | Symphonic Band | Michael Chambless
Allatoona High School | Symphonic Winds | Cecilia Clark
Buford High School | Wind Ensemble | Erik Mason
Cass High School | Wind Ensemble | Samuel Iddings
Kennesaw Mountain High School | Wind Symphony | Michael Huebner
Lambert High School | Wind Ensemble | Kevin Morrison
McEachern High School | Wind Symphony | Keith Clupper
River Ridge High School | Wind Ensemble | Ross Amend
Valdosta High School | Wind Symphony | Travis Kimber
2022
Alpharetta High School Wind Ensemble-- Alpharetta, GA; Ira Jenkins
Awtrey 8th Grade Band-- Kennesaw, GA; Tara Melvin
Barber Middle School Wind Symphony-- Acworth, GA; Robert Grogan
Carolina Forest High School Wind Ensemble-- Myrtle Beach, SC; Mark Roddy
Chapin High School Symphonic Band-- Chapin, SC; Blake Fowler
Chapin Middle School Symphonic Band-- Chapin, SC; Secaida Howell
Crestview High School Wind Ensemble-- Crestview, FL; Jody Dunn
Cuthbertson High School Blue Note Winds-- Waxhaw, NC; Todd Ebert
Cuthbertson Middle School-- Waxhaw, NC; Katie Ebert
Hewitt-Trussville High School Wind Ensemble-- Trussville, AL; Mike Guzman
Houston County High School Wind Symphony-- Warner Robbins, GA; Jay Davis
Jefferson High School Wind Ensemble-- Jefferson, GA; Nicholas Golding
LaVilla School of the Arts Wind Ensemble-- Jacksonville, FL; Ann Adams-Valle
North Cobb High School Wind Symphony-- Kennesaw, GA; Sheldon Frazier
North Paulding High School Wind Symphony-- Dallas, GA; Teddy Mack
Walton High School Symphonic Band-- Marietta, GA; Chris Johns
2021
Virtual Festival
Blythewood H.S. Wind Symphony-- Blythewood, SC; Quintus Wrighten
Dutchtown H.S. Wind Symphony-- Hampton, GA; Wolson Gustama
Florence Chapel M.S. Symphonic Band-- Duncan, SC; Alicia Crutchlow
Germantown M.S. Advanced Band-- Madison, GA; Jim Peacock
Norcross H.S. Wind Symphony-- Norcross, GA; Lee Newman
Otwell M.S. Symphonic Winds-- Cumming, GA; Jacob Wildes
South Effingham H.S. Wind Ensemble-- Guyton, GA; Sean McBride
Walton H.S. Wind Symphony-- Marietta, GA; John Palmer
Wando H.S. Concert Band I-- Mount Pleasant, SC; Lanie Radecke
2020
cancelled due to COVID-19
Barber M.S. Wind Symphony-- Acworth, Ga; Robert Grogan
Blythewood H.S. Wind Symphony-- Blythewood, SC; Quintus Wrighten
Bonaire M.S. Symphonic Band-- Bonaire, GA; Leah Williams
Dutchtown H.S. Wind Symphony-- Hampton, GA; Wolson Gustama
Florence Chapel M.S. Symphonic Band-- Duncan, SC; Alicia Crutchlow
Germantown M.S. Advanced Band-- Madison, GA; Jim Peacock
Lake Nona M.S. Wind Ensemble-- Orlando, FL; Hannah Jennings
McEachern H.S. Wind Symphony-- Powder Springs, GA; Keith Clupper
Norcross H.S. Wind Symphony-- Norcross, GA; Lee Newman
Otwell M.S. Symphonic Winds-- Cumming, GA; Jacob Wildes
Palmer M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band-- Kennesaw, GA; Sue Bulock
Pinckneyville M.S. Symphonic Winds-- Peachtree Corners, GA; Roland Ventura
South Effingham H.S. Wind Ensemble-- Guyton, GA; Sean McBride
Tuscaloosa County H.S. Wind Ensemble-- Northport, AL; Nick McDonald
Walton H.S. Wind Symphony-- Marietta, GA; John Palmer
Wando H.S. Concert Band I-- Mount Pleasant, SC; Lanie Radecke
2019
Cuthbertson M.S. 8th Grade Band -- Waxhaw, NC; Katie Ebert
Kennesaw Mountain H.S. Wind Symphony -- Kennesaw, GA; Michael Huebner
Kennesaw Mountain H.S. Symphonic Band -- Kennesaw, GA; Corey Futrell
Lakeside H.S. Wind Ensemble -- Evans, GA; Jared Best & Jim Tau
Lassiter H.S. Symphonic II Band -- Marietta, GA; Jeff Harper
Leesville Road H.S. Symphonic Band -- Raleigh, NC; Alyssa Montgomery
Martin Luther King, Jr. H.S. Wind Ensemble -- Lithonia, GA; Travis Kimber
Meigs Academic Magnet School Wind Ensemble -- Nashville, TN; Franklin Norris
North Gwinnett M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band -- Sugar Hill, GA; Travis Downs
North Habersham M.S. Symphonic Band -- Clarkesville, GA; Emery Warnock
Pelham H.S. Wind Ensemble -- Pelham, AL; Justin Ward
Pine Mountain M.S. 8th Grade Band -- Kennesaw, GA; Amy Adams
South Forsyth M.S. Symphonic Band -- Cumming, GA; Andrew Poor
Webb Bridge M.S. Symphonic Band -- Alpharetta, GA; Kirk Stroud
West Forsyth H.S. Wind Ensemble -- Clemmons, NC; Patricia Ball
Whitewater M.S. Symphonic Band -- Fayetteville, GA; Elizabeth Haynes
2018
Barber M.S. Wind Symphony – Acworth, GA; Robert Grogan
Bellevue M.S. Symphonic Band – Nashville, TN; Paul Waters
Dickerson M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band – Marietta, GA; William Grimes
East Coweta H.S. Wind Ensemble – Sharpsburg, GA; Robert Owens
Feagin Mill M.S. Symphonic Band– Warner Robins, GA; Lloyd McDonald
Griffin M.S. 8th Grade Band – Smyrna, GA; Ashley Cole
Harrison H.S. Wind Ensemble – Kennesaw, GA; Josh Ray
Jackson County H.S. Wind Ensemble – Jefferson, GA; Nick Golding
Ligon M.S. Wind Ensemble – Raleigh, NC; Renee Todd
Lovinggood M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band – Powder Springs, GA; Joe Heiberger
Lovinggood M.S. 7th Grade Symphonic Band – Powder Springs, GA; Shelley Ferrell
Mabry M.S. 7th & 8th Grade Symphonic Band– Marietta, GA; Jill Barnocki
McEachern H.S. Wind Symphony – Powder Springs, GA; Bo Sodders
Norcross H.S. Wind Symphony– Norcross, GA; Lee Newman
North Gwinnett H.S. Symphonic Winds – Suwanee, GA; Rudy Gilbert
Spain ParkH.S. Chamber Winds – Hoover, AL; Chris Neugent
Winter Park H.S. Wind Symphony -- Winter Park, FL; Christopher Blackmer
2017
Bumpus M.S. Symphonic Band – Hoover, AL; Josh Lynch
Carrollton H.S. Wind Ensemble – Carrollton, GA; Christopher M. Carr
Cuthbertson H.S. Blue Note Winds – Waxhaw, NC; Todd Ebert
Decatur H.S. Wind Ensemble – Decatur, GA; Robert Truan
Durham M.S. Symphonic Band – Acworth, GA; Michelle Rickard & Matt Segars
Effingham County M.S. Symphonic Winds – Guyton, GA; Tony Murray
Hightower Trail M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band – Marietta, GA; Andrew Cole & Fred Norton
Kell H.S. Symphonic Band – Marietta, GA; Taylor Watts
Kell H.S. Wind Ensemble – Marietta, GA; David Roth
Mill Creek H.S. Wind Ensemble – Hoschton, GA; Erik Mason
Newnan H.S. Newnan Winds – Newnan, GA; John Erdogan
Oliver M.S. Wind Ensemble – Nashville, TN; Susan Waters
Pizitz M.S. Symphonic Band – Vestavia Hills, AL; Kim Bain
Providence H.S. Wind Ensemble – Charlotte, NC; Joshua K. Potter
Riverwatch M.S. Symphonic Band – Suwanee, GA; Matt Koperniak
Simmons M.S. Honor Band – Birmingham, AL; Valerie Womack Morgan
2016
Barber M.S. Symphonic Band – Acworth, GA; Robert Grogan
Central-Carroll H.S. Symphonic Band – Carrollton, GA; Niel Ruby
Durham M.S. 8th Grade Band – Acworth, GA; Michelle Rickard
East Coweta H.S. Wind Ensemble – Sharpsburg, GA; Robert Owens
Eastside H.S. Symphonic Band – Covington, GA; Alan Fowler
Ebenezer M.S. Eagle Winds – Rincon, GA; Kenza Murray
Flowery Branch H.S. Wind Symphony – Flowery Branch, GA; Dennis Naughton
Harrison H.S. Symphonic Band – Kennesaw, GA; Jonathan Grogan
Harrison H.S. Wind Ensemble – Kennesaw, GA; Josh Ray
Lost Mountain M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band – Kennesaw, GA; Suzanne Tingle
Lovinggood M.S. 8th Grade Symphonic Band – Powder Springs, GA; Joseph Heiberger
Mabry M.S. 7th & 8th Grade Symphonic Band – Marietta, GA; Jill Barnocki
Milton H.S. Wind Ensemble – Milton, GA; Chris Shumick
North Gwinnett M.S. Symphonic Band – Sugar Hill, GA; Travis Downs
Ooltewah H.S. Wind Ensemble – Ooltewah, TN; Joel Denton
Smokey Road M.S. Symphonic Winds – Newnan, GA; Oscar Prado
2015
Alpharetta H.S. Wind Ensemble – Alpharetta, GA; Michael Walsh
Collins Hill H.S. Symphonic Winds – Suwanee, GA; Daniel Treuman
Dickerson M.S. Symphonic Band – Marietta, GA; John Palmer
Flat Rock M.S. Symphonic Band – Tyrone, GA; Matthew Price
Hightower Trail M.S. Symphonic Band – Marietta, GA; Andrew Cole
Hillgrove H.S. Wind Symphony – Powder Springs, GA; Patrick Erwin
Hillgrove H.S. Symphonic Band – Powder Springs, GA; Jeremy Trimmer
Hopewell M.S. Symphonic Band – Milton, GA; Audrey Murphy
Houston County H.S. Symphonic Band – Warner Robins, GA; Wally Shaw
Mill Creek H.S. Wind Ensemble – Hoschton, GA; Erik Mason
Norcross H.S. Wind Symphony – Norcross, GA; Lee Newman
Parkview H.S. Symphonic Band – Lilburn, GA; Richard Magner & Jason Atha
Pickens H.S. Symphonic Winds – Jasper, GA; Michael Oubre
Southwest DeKalb H.S. Wind Symphony – Decatur, GA; James Seda
Stephenson H.S. Wind Ensemble – Stone Mountain, GA; Quentin Goins
APPLICATION INFORMATION
All auditioning ensembles receive recorded or written evaluation from the audition listening panel. The listening is “blind”– ensembles are not identified to evaluators in the listening process. Evaluators recommend the ensembles that demonstrate an exemplary level of excellence to receive an invitation to perform at the Festival. Applying schools may submit applications for up to three ensembles to participate in this life-changing experience.
Completed online festival application, audition recordings, and supporting materials must be received by June 15.
Many groups want to travel with all of the students in their program and we provide educational options to allow as many of your instrumental music students as possible to participate. Directors can choose to submit applications for multiple ensembles from their school.
The application fee is $75 for the first ensemble and an additional $35 for each ensemble submission from the same school.
A complete application requires the following:
Specific requirements for application and audition recordings are included in the Requirements for Application and Participation section.
The application fee is $75 for the first ensemble and an additional $35 for each ensemble submission from the same school. All applying groups receive recorded or written evaluation from the evaluation panel. Submission of your application is a commitment to attend and perform if accepted. The cost to attend the Festival is $50 per student participant. Booster and administrative approval and support is required prior to applying.
Applications Closed
Festival Payment Schedule
(2) $500 non-refundable deposit per invited ensemble due by November 1, 2023.
(3) Balance due January 30, 2024.
The ensemble participation fee is determined by your submitted roster count due on January 15, 2024. The total cost is $50 per student participant. The $500 deposit will be applied to the final balance. All fees paid are non-refundable.
Contact Us
Office/Delivery Address
35 Broad Street, Suite 410
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3984
Atlanta, GA 30302
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Director of Educational Outreach
Amy Reid