The Thomas County Middle School Blue & Gold Concert Bands recently traveled to Atlanta to participate in the Southern Star Music Festival and Competition. On Friday evening, March 29, the group, consisting of 100 students in sixth through eighth grades, attended an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concert. The concert was held at the Woodruff Arts Center and featured the music of Beethoven and Schumann. The following morning, the TCMS Gold Band and TCMS Blue Band performed before nationally recognized judges at Riverside Epicenter Auditorium. Out of the 7 states represented in the competition, the TCMS Gold Band received the National Gold Standard rating. The TCMS Blue Band, consisting of more than half 6th graders, earned the National Silver Standard rating. The TCMS Gold Band also won the Best in Class Sweepstakes Trophy for the competition. “One of the great things about teaching is witnessing those moments when your students realize just how much their hard work has paid off,” stated William Majors, TCMS Band Director. “I’m so proud of our students!”
Eighth-grader Morgan Loper said that “the band trip provided an excellent opportunity to play for national standard judges and have fun along the way. When we won those three trophies, I felt extremely happy and believed that all of our hard work had paid off.”
Along with their judged performance, each band received a brief clinic from judges Alfred Watkins, Robert Ambrose, and David Gregory. As a treat for their hard work, the band students enjoyed Six Flags Over Georgia for the remainder of the day!
“This has been a remarkable year for our (TCMS) band program. Our concert bands have been exceptional this year given the number of younger students who make up each band. Our Blue Band consisted of over 55% sixth graders this year led by outstanding seventh and eighth graders, and our Gold Band consisted of more than half seventh graders, led by very talented eighth graders. The future is looking very bright,” stated William Majors.
Previously, on March 13 and 14, the TCMS Bands participated in the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation which took place at Cairo High School. At this annual performance evaluation, the TCMS Gold Band received straight superior ratings in both stage performance and sight reading. The TCMS Blue Band received an excellent rating on the stage performance and a superior rating in sight reading.
Tessa Thomas, eighth-grade Percussionist stated, “Winning was something that was unexpected for both bands, so when Blue Band won silver and Gold Band won gold, it was very exciting for everyone. Winning the Sweepstakes Award was such an honor. In addition to the awards, everyone had fun at the Georgia Aquarium and Six Flags. It was an excellent experience.”
