2023 Zeta Member Accolades
The South Forsyth Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Andrew Poor, will perform at the Music for All National Festival Indianapolis March 21-23, 2024.
The North Gwinnett Middle School Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Travis Downs, was the winner of the 2023 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition, in the Middle School/Jr. category.
Each year PAS selects 3 high school, 3 college/universities, and ONE middle school ensemble to perform a showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Kerry Bryant and Everett Cannady will be presenting a clinic for the GMEA Conference on Friday from 3:15-4:15 entitled “That "Obligatory" March: Might as Well Play It Correctly!”
Jeffrey Rowser Was voted into the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor in 2023. He was inducted into the National Band Directors “Hall of Fame” in 2023 and presented a clinic at the 2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic last month.
Quentin Goins was a Conductor/Clinician for the 2024 University of Georgia January Festival (JANFest)
Mary Land's new book The Value of Music Connections was released by GIA Publications at the Midwest Clinic in December. It is at the GIA Booth here at the GMEA Conference.
The Hillgrove High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jeremy Lumpkin, performed last month at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
The River Trail Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Jennifer Compton Lambert, was a featured ensemble at UGA Midfest and performed at GMEA. Quintet Envy (her clarinet chamber ensemble) will perform at the National Chamber Music Festival in Indianapolis in March. Additionally she was selected as the 2023 Teacher of the Year.
The Richmond Hill Middle School Wildcat Winds, under the direction of Emery Warnock, performed at the University of Georgia’s MidFest in December.
The Houston County Wind Symphony, under the direction of Jay Davis, was honored to receive two performance invitations this year. We were invited to perform at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga for the Tri-States Honor Band in January. The group was also to invited to perform at the National Band and Orchestra Festival being held at Carnegie Hall in New York in March.
Christopher Carr graduated in May with an Ed D in Music Education from UGA. Also, the Carrollton High School Wind Ensemble was recognized with the Exemplary Performance Award.
David Gregory was elected to the National High School Band Director’s Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the National Band Association’s “Presidential Medal of Distinction” for exceptional service to the NBA over many years. He is the first person to be awarded this honor.
William Kilgore, Jackson County High, is the GMEA District 14 Music Educator of the Year.
Sean McBride announced that the Savannah Bananas (a minor league baseball team) including the Bananas Pep Band, which Sean plays in and directs, will be on their third national tour this year. They will be performing in 30 cities across the United States. This year's tour will include performances in 6 major league parks!
The Woodward Academy Marching Band, under the direction of Kenneth Beard, marched in the Rome, Italy New Years’ Day Parade on January 1, 2024 and performed at Santa Maria in Portico (church) in Campitelli. They had a very educational experience and a lot of fun while there. In addition, he has announced his retirement at the end of this year, after 47 years teaching in Clayton County, Newton County, Fayette County and at Woodward Academy.
Scott Barnstead received the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor at the 2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and earned his Doctorate Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia.
Casey Eubanks was awarded the GMEA District Nine Music Educator of the Year Award at the Opening Session of the Annual Inservice in Athens, Georgia.
Andy Esserwein was elected to serve as the 2025-2027 GMEA President and will serve as the President-Elect beginning in July 2024.