The George Walton Academy Band offers a complete artistic experience through the world of music. We believe students grow and become more meaningful citizens in our society through the opportunities they receive during their time with our program. GWA offers many ensembles that enrich our students' lives.
2020-2021
The following students had the honor of representing George Walton Academy at the GMEA All-State Band. They went through a two-part, very competitive, audition process against the best band students across the entire state of Georgia and qualified for the group.
Pictured left-right: Isaac Osei, Philip Mashburn, Mike Pulliam, Brooks Dokes, Gracie Wood, Nicole Volk,
Blakeney Sewell, Alex Carillo
2018-2019
2017-2018
Above, from left to right: Emma Barley, Gracie Wood, Will Bowick and Mason Lee.
2016-2017
Lydia Akin
Alex Aull
Alex Carrillo
Julie Cato
Brooks Dokes
Jason Dokes
Grace Pulliam
Mike Pulliam
Eli Scornik
Madison Smith
Vincent Tapia
2015-2016
Vincent Tapia
Jason Dokes
Grace Pulliam
Bailey Croker
Brooks Dokes
Eli Scornik
Brody Lindsey
Madison Smith
Julie Cato
Nic Winters
2014-2015
Murphy Pulliam – First chair in state
Chad Richards
Grace Pulliam
Jason Dokes
Vincent Tapia – First chair in state
Alex Aull – First chair in state
Bailey Croker
Eli Scornik
2013-2014
Alex Aull
Vincent Tapia
Grace Pulliam
Jason Dokes
Tristan Gibbs
Murphy Pulliam
Jacob Weinstein
2012-2013
Grace Pulliam – First chair in state
Jason Dokes – First chair in state
Murphy Pulliam
Tristan Gibbs
2011-2012
Jarod Holland
Sable Thompson
Jessica Jarrett
Ishaan Dave
Eric Downing
Jason Dokes
Grace Pulliam – First chair in state
2010-2011
Robert Buice
Jarod Holland
Parker Ellison
Murphy Pulliam
2009-2010
Jarod Holland
Ben Phillips
Jacob Weinstein
Sam Carter
Bobby Buice
Parker Ellison
2008-2009
Lucas Jones
Will Folsom
Patrick Forrester
Jesse McConnell
Parker Ellison
Emily Myers
Bobby Buice
Reid Dickinson* – first chair in state
Caroline Halleck
2007-2008
Sam Stevens
Patrick Forrester
Charline Watson
Lucas Jones
Will Folsom
Michael Buice
Kyle Clements
Jesse McConnell
Reid Dickinson
2006-2007
Lloyd Ferguson
Jessie McConnell
Charline Watson
Lucas Jones
Patrick Forrester
Daniel Jones
2005-2006
Lloyd Ferguson
Jessie McConnell
Chris McCoy
Daniel Jones
2004-2005
Lloyd Ferguson
Chris McCoy
2003-2004
Lloyd Ferguson
Chris McCoy
2002-2003
Lloyd Ferguson
Every fall, the Marching Bulldog Band, comprised of approximately 60 members, excites the crowd at football games and also competes every year in at least three to four events/competitions. This provides opportunities for our students to be a part of the best possible experiences and venues around the southeast.
Also in the fall, we have four concert bands that are made up of a fifth-grade beginning band: the GWA Bullpup Band, a sixth-grade intermediate band: the Concert Ensemble, the Symphonic Band made up of seventh to twelfth-grade students, and the Symphonic Winds made up of the most advanced students in our band program. Some of the other aspects of our program that we are very proud of are the Private Lessons studios, our Upper School Mentoring Lessons, our Spring Recital, our Percussion Class, the Bulldog Basketball Band, and our Student Leadership Team.
Our Private Lessons Studio enables students to have weekly appointments with trained professionals who are hand-selected by our directors. There is a small weekly fee for these lessons that the students/parents arrange with the private instructors.
The Upper School Mentoring Lessons give our older band students a chance to mentor our beginning and intermediate level students on their instruments. We are very proud to offer this because the younger students are the lifeblood of our program and we want them to feel that they have every chance to be a big part of our band family.
To culminate all the progress made during this private instruction, we have our Spring Recital that showcases the talents and hard work of our students who study privately. This is a wonderful event that has grown in size from 15 to 45 student performances in the past 18 years.
The Student Leadership Team is one of our proudest achievements at GWA. Students audition for the privilege to serve their peers throughout the school year in all aspects of daily student life. We train these student leaders during the summer at an intense retreat designed specifically for them. We work throughout the school year to sharpen their skills. We believe that this is a key element in developing better citizens for our future as well as our band program. Studies have shown vast improvements in grades and test scores, and even more importantly, these students tell us the program not only helps them gain acceptance to college, but they thrive there.
Under the direction of Christian Smith, the overall program has grown from 31 to 190 members in fifth through twelfth grades. Mr. Smith has been recognized by the National Band Association, GMEA, and the Board of Advisors for the Dixie Classic as an outstanding contributor to music education and excellence in music.
2020- Resurgence… From the Ashes
Mvt. 1 Mahler
Mvt. 2 From the Ashes
Mvt. 3 Firebird of Eternal Glory
Mvt. 4 Shost'n Awe
Recognitions
Blue Ridge Marching Invitational
Grand Champions
1st Open Class
1st Place Drum Major
1st Place Guard
3rd Place Percussion
West Forsyth Wolverine Classic
Grand Champions
1st Place Band
1st place Drum Major
2nd Place Guard
2nd Place Percussion
Super Bowl of Sound
Grand Champions
1st General Effect
1st Place Visual
1st Place Music
1st Place Brass
1st Place Percussion Open Class
2nd Place Guard Open Class
2019 - La Danza De Los Toros
Mvt. 1 A Mis Abuelos
Mvt. 2/3 Concerto de Danzon
Mvt. 4 Malagueña
Recognitions:
Jacksonville State University Competition Champions
3rd Place Overall
1st Place Band in Division
2nd Place Guard in Division
1st Place Percussion in Division
1st Place Drum Major in Division
Overall Class Champion
Georgia State University Marching Contest
2nd Place Class 3A
3rd Place Color Guard 3A
3rd Place Percussion 3A
Brody Lindsey- recipient of the Conn-Selmer Soloists Award
Northwest Georgia Marching Championship
Straight Superiors in Drum Major, Guard, Percussion, and Band
1st in Class Drum Major
2nd in Class Guard
1st in Class Open Band
1st place Visual Overall
1st place Brass Overall
2nd Overall
2016 – Carpe Noctem
Mvt. 1 Creep
Mvt. 2 Dies Irae
Mvt. 3 Once Upon A Nightmare
Mvt. 4 Medea
Recognitions:
Yellow Jacket Classic – Rockmart, GA
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
Overall Top Drum Major
Overall Grand Champions
Contest of Champions – Jacksonville, AL
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drum Line
Superior Drum Major
5th Overall
U.S. Bands West Georgia Regional – Allatoona, GA
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drum Line
Superior Drum Major
4th Overall
U.S. Bands Southern States Championships – Chattanooga, TN
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drum Line
Superior Drum Major
3rd Overall
2015 – ……Final Frontier
Mvt. 1 – Journey to Mars
Mvt. 2 – Lost in Space
Mvt. 3 – Jupiter Man
Mvt. 4 – Welcome Home Major Tom
Recognitions:
Blue Ridge Mountain Marching Festival – Blue Ridge, GA
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
Overall Top Drum Major
Second Overall in competition
Contest of Champions – Jacksonville, AL
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
2nd overall Percussion for entire competition
4th Overall in competition
East Georgia Marching Festival & Championship – Statesboro, GA
Superior Drumline
Superior Guard
Superior Drum Major
Superior Band
2015 Overall Class & Overall Grand Champions
US Bands Southern States Championships – Chattanooga, TN
2nd Overall
2014 - The Boxer
Mvt. 1 – The Contender/Reflections
Mvt. 2 – Training Day
Mvt. 3 – The Boxer
Mvt. 4 – The Main Event
Recognitions:
US Bands Georgia Regional – Mt. Airy, GA
Group VI Open – 1st place
Group VI Open – Best Visual
Group VI Open – Best Overall Effect
Overall Champion
Contest of Champions – Jacksonville, AL
Superior Band
Superior Color Guard
Superior Percussion
1st place Color Guard Diamond Class
2nd Place Percussion Diamond Class
1st Place Overall Band Diamond Class
Overall High General Effect
John T. Finley High Music Award
Overall Grand Champions for Entire Competition
McEachern Marching Invitational – Powder Springs, GA
1st Place Class AAAAA
Gold Division Champion
High Music Gold Division
Grand Champion Award
US Bands Southern States Championships – Chattanooga, TN
Group VI Open – 1st place
Group VI Open – Best Percussion
Group VI Open – Best Music
Group VI Open – Best Overall Effect
Overall 2014 Southern States Champions
US Bands National Championships – East Rutherford, NJ
Group VI Open – 3rd Place
Group VI Open – 1st place in Music
2013 – Les Miserables’
Mvt. 1 – Les Mis Opener
Mvt. 2 – On My Own
Mvt. 3 – Attack on Rue Plummet
Mvt. 4 – Do You Hear The Revolution
Recognitions:
Georgia Mountain Music Festival – Mt. Airy, GA
Superior Guard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
Superior Band
Overall Top Percussion
Overall Top Drum Major
Overall Top Marching Performance
Overall Top Music
Overall Top General Effect
2013 Georgia Mountain Music Series – GRAND CHAMPIONS
Southern Invitational Music Festival – Marietta, GA
Superior Guard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
Superior Band
Overall Top General Effect
Overall 2nd Place
US Bands Marine Corps Invitational – Johns Creek, GA
Overall Top Music
Overall 2013 Grand Champions
US Bands Southern States Championship – Chattanooga, TN
Fourth Place Overall
Class 6 Open Champions
2012 – 007…….Reloaded:
The Name is Bond
Bond Ballad
Welcome to Cuba
The Rundown
Recognitions:
Southern States Championship – Chattanooga, TN
3rd Overall for Class 6A
Lafayette Marching Festival – Fayetteville, GA
2nd in Open Class
US Bands Georgia Regional – John’s Creek, GA
1st overall in General Effect
2nd in class VI Open and overall
2011 – The Carmen Project:
Carmen Overture
Habanerolero
Jazzyeador (Toreador’s Song)
Carmen Closer
Recognitions:
USSBA Southern States Championship – Chattanooga, TN
1st in Class VI Open
1st Overall in Music
1st Overall Effect
1st Percussion
3rd Overall in Visual
Highest Score in entire competition to become 2011 USSBA SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPIONS!!
Mustang Marching Invitational – Guyton, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Drum Line
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
Overall Top Drum Major
Overall Top Drum Line
Overall Top Color Guard
Overall Top Music
Overall Top General Effect
Overall Top Marching
OVERALL CHAMPIONS FOR ENTIRE COMPETITON!!!
Blue Ridge Mountain Marching Classic – Blue Ridge, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Drum Line
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
Top Drum Major for Entire Competition
3rd in Class 4A
4th Overall
2010 – Maestro!:
Canon – Pachelbel
Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra – Britten
Nessun Dorma – Puccini
Pagliacci – Leoncavallo
Canon Finale – various
Recognitions:
USSBA National Championships – Annapolis, MD
2nd in Class VI Color Guard
Best Overall Effect
Best Overall Percussion
Best Overall Music
1st Place in Class VI 2010 USSBA Class VI NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
5th highest score in the nation out of 98 qualifying bands!!
Contest of Champions – Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL
Superior Drum Major
Superior Percussion
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
3rd in Open Class (Semifinals) Chosen as a finalist for Contest of Champions
3rd Overall in Competition out of 19 bands
2nd Overall Drum Major
3rd Overall Color Guard
3rd Overall Percussion
Valhalla Classic Marching Band Competition – Newnan, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Percussion
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
2nd in class 4A
3rd Overall in Competition
Georgia Bandmasters Championships – Cumming, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drumline
Superior Band
Best Overall Drum Major Class AAAA
Best Overall Band Class AAAA
Best Overall Percussion for Entire competition
Best Overall Drum Major for entire competition
Sweepstakes Award Winner – Gold Division Grand Champions!
Highest Score Overall For Entire Competition!
2009 – Rhythms on the Edge of Time:
On The Waterfront
Someone to Watch Over the House
2 Tribes
Caribe’
Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor
Recognitions:
G.I.S.A Invitational Marching & Pep Band Competition – Norcross, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Drumline
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
1st Place Drum Major AAA Class
1st Place Color Guard AAA Class
1st Place Drumline AAA Class
1st Place Band AAA Class
Overall Champion for G.I.S.A 2009!!
Southern Invitational Music Festival – Marietta, GA
4th overall Percussion in entire competition
3rd overall Color Guard in entire competition
3rd Overall in Class AAAA Band
4th Overall for the entire competition
High Visual Award for entire competition!!
USSBA Southern States Championship – Chattanooga, TN
1st Place Percussion Class VI Open
1st Place Music Class VI Open
1st Place Overall Effect Class VI Open
1st Overall Class VI Open Champions
OVERALL HIGH SCORE - 2009 USSBA SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPIONS!!!!!
2008 – El Dia Del Toro:
El Toro Caliente
Maria
La Danza
Malaga
Recognitions:
Super Bowl of Sound – Carrollton, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Drumline
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
3rd Place Drum Major Open Class
1st Place Color Guard Open Class
4th Overall in Competition out of 22 Bands
GWA Color Guard finished 1st overall for entire competition!!
G.I.S.A Invitational Marching & Pep Band Competition – Norcross, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Drumline
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
1st Place Drum Major AAA Class
1st Place Drumline AAA Class
1st Place Color Guard AAA Class
1st Place Band AAA Class
Overall Champion for G.I.S.A 2008!
Contest of Champions – Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL
Superior Drum Major
Superior Drumline
Superior Color Guard
Superior Band
1st Place Drum Major Open Class
2nd Place Drumline Open Class
1st Place Color Guard Open Class
1st Place Band Open Class
2nd Overall in Prelims
1st Place Overall Drum Major in Finals
3rd Place Overall Color Guard in Finals
3rd Place Overall Drumline in Finals
Overall High General Effect in Finals
Overall Co-Champions in Finals!!!
USSBA Southern States Championship – Chattanooga, TN
Best Overall Color Guard Class 5 Open
Best Overall Music Class 5 Open
Best Overall Visual Class 5 Open
Best Overall General Effect Class 5 Open
2008 Southern States Class 5 Open Champions!!
USSBA National Championships – Annapolis, MD
4th Overall in Class 5 Open
Overall Score of 96.7
10th Overall in the entire Championship!!
2007 – Schizophonic:
Children’s Theme – Original by Richard Jones
The Alarm
Scootin on A Hard Rock – David Hollisnger
Fire of Eternal Glory – Dmitri Shostakovich
Blues and Fat Pickin’ – Donald Freund
Finale from Fifth Symphony – Dmitri Shostakovich
Recognitions:
G.I.S.A Invitational Marching & Pep Band Competition – Norcross, GA
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
Superior Band
2nd Place Drumline Class AA
2nd Place Drum Major Class AA
2nd Place Color Guard Class AA
2nd Overall in Overall Competition, 2nd in GISA
Georgia Bandmasters Championships – Cumming, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Color Guard
Superior Drumline
Superior Band
Best Overall Drum Major Class AAAA
Best Overall Color Guard Class AAAA
Best Overall Band Class AAAA
Best Overall Drum Major for entire competition
Best Overall Color Guard for entire competition
Sweepstakes Award Winner – Gold Division Grand Champions!
Highest Score Overall For Entire Competition!
Lafayette Marching Classic 2007 – Fayetteville, GA
Superior Drum Major
Superior Color Guard
Superior Percussion
Superior Band
First Place Class AAAA Color Guard
First Place Class AAAA Band
Overall First Place Color Guard
Overall Second Place Drum Major
Overall First Place Band
Overall High General Effect Award
Overall High Music Award (Greg Miller Music Award)
Overall Grand Champions for 2007 Lafayette Marching Classic!!
Southern States Championship – Jefferson City, TN
Class VI Open (Largest Classification) – Finished Second Overall
Tied for First in High Music
Second Overall – Color Guard
2006 – Music Never Dies: The Music of James Bond
The Name is Bond
From Russia With Love
Welcome to Cuba
Bond Fugue
Bond Closer
Recognitions:
GISA Invitational Marching & Pep Band Competition – Norcross, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
First in Class AAA Band
First in Class AAA Colorguard
First in Class AAA Drumline
First in Class AAA Drum Major
Overall Competition Champion for GISA 2006
Southern Star Invitational – Snellville, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
$300 Second Most Attendees
$100 Most Attendees per Band Student
First in Class AAA Band
First in Class AAA Drumline
First in Class AAA Colorguard
First in Class AAA Drum Major
First in Class AAA Best Music
First in Class AAA Best Visual Effect
First in Class AAA Best General Effect
Class AAA-AAAA Best in Show – Drum Major
Class AAA-AAAA Best in Show – Visual Effect
Class AAA-AAAA Best in Show – Overall Band
Class AAA-AAAA Best in Show – Gold Grand Championship!!!
Overall Champions with high scores in every category!!!
Contest of Champions – Murfreesboro, TN
Superior Band
12th Overall in a field of 21 bands
2005 – Jazz Conquest: A Sonic Journey
Channel One Suite
Bolero
Lay it Down
Recognitions:
3rd Annual Lassiter High School Marching Band Showcase 2005 – Marietta, GA
Excellent Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall Band – Class AA
1st Overall Colorguard – Class AA
1st Overall Percussion – Class AA
1st Overall Drum Major – Class AA
Best Music Award – Class AA
Best General Effect – Class AA
GISA Invitational Marching & Pep Band Competition 2005 – Norcross, GA
Superior Marching Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall Band- Class AA
1st Overall Colorguard – Class AA
1st Overall Drumline – Class AA
1st Overall Drum Major – Class AA
Best Woodwinds
Best Brass
Best Drumline
Most Entertaining Hornline
Most Entertaining Auxiliaries
Best Overall Drum Major – PERFECT SCORE
Outstanding Soloist
Most Spirited Fans
Overall Competition Champion for GISA 2005
Eagles Nest Invitational 2005 – Suwanee, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall Band – Class AAA
1st Overall Drum Major – Class AAA
4th Overall in Competition
Lafayette Marching Classic 2005- Peachtree City, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall Band – Class AAAA
1st Overall Percussion – Class AAAA
1st Overall Drum Major – Class AAAA
Silver Division Champions – Classes (A-AAA)
2nd Overall in Competition
2004 – Dances Around the World
Blues/Mambo
Arabian Dance
Sing, Sing, Sing
Bacchanale
Recognitions:
Southern Star Invitational 2004 – Snellville, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drumline
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall – Class AA
1st Overall Colorguard – Class AA
3rd Overall Drumline – Class AA
1st Overall Brass – Class AA
1st Overall Drum Major – Class AA
2nd Overall in all Classifications Grand Champion – Silver Division
Jacksonville State University Southern Classic 2004- Jacksonville, AL
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
Best in Class – Class AA
3rd Overall in Competition
Georgia Bandmasters Championships 2004 – Cumming, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall Band – Class AA
2nd Overall Colorguard – Class AA
2nd Overall Percussion – Class AA
1st Overall Drum Major – Class AA
Sweepstakes Award (1st Overall in Class A-AA) – Silver Edition
2003 – A Latin Fantasy
A Mis Abuelos
Beautiful Maria
Mary Ann
Malaguena
Recognitions:
Old South Marching Festival 2003 – Newnan, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drum Major
1st place Band – Class A
2nd place Percussion – Class A
Eagles Nest Invitational 2003 – Suwanee, GA
Excellent Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Percussion
Superior Drum Major
1st Runner Up – Class A
Drum Major Best in Class A
Southern Star Invitational 2003 – Snellville, GA
Superior Band Superior Colorguard
Excellent Drumline
Superior Drum Major
1st Overall Band – Class AA
2nd Place Colorguard – Class AA
1st place Front Ensemble – Class AA
Best in Show Drum Major
Overall Grand Champion – Silver Division
2002 – Shades of Love
Moon Dance
Charade
Autumn Leaves
When A Man Loves A Woman
Recognitions:
Old South Marching Festival 2002 – Newnan, GA
Superior Band
Superior Colorguard
Superior Drum Major
2nd place Colorguard- Class A
2nd place Percussion – Class A
1st place Drum Major – Class A
Eagles Nest Invitational 2002 – Suwanee, GA
Excellent Band – Festival Rating
Superior Band – Competition Rating
Superior Colorguard
Superior Majorettes
Superior Drum Major
Best in Class A Band
Best in Class A Colorguard
Best in Class A Majorettes
2001 – Gladiator
Xena: Warrior Princess
Now We Are Free
Gladiator Closer
Recognitions:
Old South Marching Festival 2001 – Newnan, GA
Excellent Band
Eagles Nest Invitational 2001 – Suwanee, GA
Excellent Band
Superior Drum Major
Superior Colorguard
2000 – Music of Zorro
La Malientas De Las Torros
Zorro’s Theme
La Pantera
Recognitions:
Greater Atlanta Marching Festival 2000 – Conyers, GA
Superior Band
Superior Drumline
Superior Majorette
1999 – James Bond
James Bond Opener
You Only Live Twice
Live and Let Die
Senior Brody Lindsey won the Conn-Selmer Outstanding Soloists Award at the 2nd Annual GSU Marching Band Competition on Oct. 26, 2019. He was awarded a round trip tour to the Conn-Selmer instrument factory in Indiana, money towards an instrument of his choice, and a scholarship to Georgia State University!