Another Cobb Schools Band recently earned recognition on a national level. This time, it is for a middle school. 

Music for All recently presented Awtrey Middle School Band with the national Advocacy in Action award. Only nine schools across the nation received the award, which is given to a program committed to developing an engaged and supportive network of volunteers.  

The award is in the Student Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention category. It was presented to Awtrey for their “We Saved a Seat for You!” initiative, which the school uses to recruit rising 6th graders into the band program. The Awtrey Band consistently continues to recruit approximately half of the school population into the band program at Awtrey. According to the school’s principal, the band’s success directly relates to the team effort of the band directors, students, and parents.

“Awtrey works closely with both our feeder high school programs (North Cobb and Allatoona) to strive for a ‘7-year program’ for the band students. They continue to elevate the level of recruitment to encourage as many students as possible to get involved with the band,” explained Awtrey Principal Jeff Crawford. “Awtrey also appreciates the support from our feeder elementary schools to help promote music programs in middle school. Awtrey is excited to start the next generation of Awtrey Band students in 2024-2025!”

Awtrey will be featured on Music for All’s Advocacy in Action Archive, where other music educators around the country can follow their lead on creating a successful band program. 

The Advocacy in Action Awards recognize and celebrate the commitment of school administrators, community leaders, teachers, and parents who believe in music education and advocate to ensure that it is part of a comprehensive education for all children. 

Advocacy in Action is a signature program of Music for All designed to collect, recognize, and share effective practices and initiatives that support music education in our schools.

For more on the Advocacy in Action program or to view the archive, please visit advocacy.musicforall.org.