August 27, 2025—Five decades after stepping into the uniform as Walton High School drum major, the first drum major for the Walton Band returned to visit with the 50th edition of the Raider Band. Now residing in Fort Worth, Texas, Alan Mortensen met the current students in the Walton Band room and presented them with his original drum major uniform from Walton’s inaugural season. Walton will proudly display the uniform, helping connect future band students to the school’s storied past.
“The Walton High School Band program has a long history of musical achievement, student success, and excellence in the Cobb County community," said Cobb's Supervisor of Instrumental Music, Dr. Chris Ferrell. "This visit from Mr. Mortensen is a testament to that history and the strong culture of the band program started by director Bob Cowles in 1975."
Mr. Cowles joined Mr. Mortensen and also spoke with the current band students. Having both men present and connecting Walton's past to its future was exciting and inspiring for the young musicians.
The Walton Band program comprises nearly 300 students who participate in four concert bands, two jazz ensembles, a symphony orchestra, a winter guard, a percussion ensemble, small ensembles, and a marching band. Walton students consistently place in the District 12 Honor Band, the District 12 Honors Jazz Band, and the Georgia All-State Band, and many perform in community groups around the Metro area.
The Walton Marching Raider Band has a long history of success and appearances in national performances. Awarded the Sudler Shield as the outstanding marching band program in the country by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2007, the Raider Band has performed in the Macy’s Parade, three times in the Tournament of Roses Parade, twice in the Waikiki Holiday Parade, and is a perennial Bands of America Regional Finalist and three-time Bands of America semifinalist. The Marching Raiders have earned many Grand Championship trophies over 50 years of competition, including the 2022 Bands of America North Carolina Regional Class Champion, the 2021 Bands of America Powder Springs Regional Champion, and the 2023 Bands of America Buford Affiliate Champion.
This year the Raider Band will travel overseas for the first time to the United Kingdom to perform in the London Parade on New Year’s Day.
Walton ensembles have also excelled on the concert stage. The Walton Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Bands have received multiple invitations to perform at the Music for All Southeastern Concert Festival at Georgia State University. The Wind Symphony has won auditions to perform for the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference and the University of Georgia January Music Festival, while the Percussion Ensemble and the Jazz Band have also been selected to perform at the GMEA Conference. Being selected for these events is the equivalent of winning a State Championship. Each year, only three high school concert bands, two percussion ensembles, and two jazz bands are chosen from across Georgia.
The Walton Winter Guard is a nationally known program. For the past four years, it has taken first place in the Southern Association of Performing Arts (SAPA) Championships in Tennessee. The Winter Guard has placed in the finals of the Winter Guard International (WGI) Championships numerous times, most recently in 2023.
In its 50-year history, the Walton Band has been led by only three head directors. Bob Cowles opened the school in 1975 and was joined by Mike Back in 1984. Mr. Back took over when Mr. Cowles retired in 1999, and Jeff Pollock became the Associate Director. John Palmer joined the Walton staff in 2016 after teaching at Walton’s feeder school, Dickerson Middle School, for 17 years. He is beginning his 8th year as head director, taking over in 2018 when Mr. Back retired. Chris Johns came to Walton in 2018 from Dacula High School, becoming only the fifth band director in the school’s history. In fact, Walton has had more band rooms (4) in 50 years than head directors (3). Mr. Cowles and Mr. Back continue to be involved with the program. The longevity and consistency they bring to the program have helped build the Walton band into one of the finest in the state.
"This was a special moment for everyone involved, myself included. The Cobb County School District Instrumental Music Department could not be prouder of the students and directors at Walton," concluded Dr. Ferrell about the historic 50-year celebration of the Walton Band.
