The 2007-2008 school year marks the eighth year of existence for Durham Middle School. Since the establishment of the school, the band program has continually served the musical interest of the students both individually and collectively. The program consists of one 6th grade band, one 7th grade band and one 8th grade band. The band program also fosters two jazz bands, a percussion ensemble, a brass ensemble and a woodwind ensemble. Approximately 200 students participate in the band program at Durham.
Durham bands maintain an active performance schedule across the southeast and within the metro-Atlanta community. In 2002, the 8th grade bands and Jazz I hosted an exchange concert at the Historic Douglass Theatre in Macon and in 2003 the 8th grade bands performed a public service concert at the Tennessee Aquarium Pavilion in Chattanooga. The 7th grade bands annually perform at the Georgia State Capitol during the winter holiday season. Locally, seasonal concerts are presented throughout the year and each spring the 7th and 8th grade bands participate in “Pops in the Park” sponsored by the Harrison High School Band. In December 2003, the Durham 8th Grade Symphonic Band was chosen as a guest band for the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival and in 2005 performed at the Georgia Music Educators' State Convention in Savannah. The 8th Grade Band received a superior rating and two awards of excellence at the 2006 Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg Tennessee. The 8th Grade Band received the Judges’ Award for receiving a score of 95 or above at the 2007 Heritage Music Festival in Williamsburg, VA. Durham concert bands receive overwhelming positive comments from festival adjudicators and consistently earn superior ratings at district festival.
Durham jazz bands are active in the community and have performed
for the elementary feeder schools, for public service events at local
businesses, and at a local retirement center. They also provide music for
school events such as academic pep rallies, physical education events and Durham
Curriculum Night/Threads. A highlight for the jazz program occurred in 2001
when Durham Jazz I performed in Orlando for Disney’s Magic Music Days. Durham
jazz bands consistently earn superior ratings at district festival.
Durham students extend their talents beyond the daily band class. In the past school year, 20 ratings of superior and excellent were awarded to Durham students at district solo & ensemble. In the fall of 2006, ten students were accepted to Mid Fest at the University of Georgia, with 4 of the 10 students earning chairs in the Mid-Fest Honor Band. In the spring of 2007, twenty students successfully auditioned for placement in the district honor and clinic band. Six Durham students were selected for membership in the 2007 Georgia All State
The Durham band program feeds two schools with prestigious band programs, Harrison High School and Kennesaw Mountain High School. Though both high school bands have numerous accolades, each is characterized by national performances. In 1999 the Wind Ensemble at Harrison High School performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. They have been chosen to perform at the 2007 Midwest Clinic. The Harrison Wind Ensemble was featured in performance at the National Concert Band Festival in 2003 and 2006, the 1998 and 2004 UGA Janfest and the 2004 Georgia Music Educators' Convention. The Harrison High School Marching Band won the Bands of America Massillon Regional Championship and the Lassiter Showcase in 2003 and 2004. The Harrison Band program is a 2007 recipient of the Sudler Shield. The band program at Kennesaw Mountain High School is a 2002 recipient of the Sudler Shield for marching band, after having placed as 2002,2003 and 2004, 2006 finalists at Bands of America Grand National Championships and winning numerous regional championships. They performed at the 2005 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Kennesaw Mountain Wind Symphony performed at the prestigious 2006 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.
The successes of Durham band students and Durham bands reflect
the desire of the local community to support music education endeavors.
Likewise it is the desire of the Durham band directors to see such success
developed for optimum student experience.