Members of the 6th Grade Band Tiara Battle, Paige Norton, Caleb Shearer, and Spencer Leff

Valdosta Middle School 6^th grade band awarded top honors

The 6^th grade band at Valdosta Middle School participated in the Southern Star Music Festival this past Saturday in Atlanta, Ga., and was awarded with a Gold Standard Rating from each judge on the panel.  The judges were Dr. Pat Dunnigan from Florida State University, Dr. David Gregory from Reinhardt College and conductor of the Tara Winds Adult Community Band based in Atlanta, and Mr. Lou Cefus, a retired music educator and conductor for the Savannah River Winds Community Band based in Augusta, Ga.

The festival was held at Riverwood High School.  Middle school and high school bands, orchestras, and choirs from all over the southeast were in attendance for the two day festival.  Of the sixteen instrumental groups that participated, the Valdosta Middle School 6^th grade band was one of only two bands that received a Gold Rating from all three judges.   After the performance, students and chaperones enjoyed the rest of the day at Six Flags Over Georgia Amusement Park with an awards ceremony in the park’s amphitheatre.

The VMS Band program will end the school year with their annual spring concert, which features the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade bands, this Thursday, May 8^th at 7pm at the Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center.  Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.