Last week was a milestone week for our band program! We hosted a GMEA Send-Off Concert on Tuesday with many special guests, then made school history with the first performance at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. Special thank you to Doyle Akins for serving as emcee for the Tuesday evening concert!

The school system had a great write-up about our historic performance in this week’s edition of the Trojan Times.

The performance on Friday, January 31 was the culmination of many months of preparation beginning when we received the emailed invitation from State Band Chair Chris Shumick in June. The chosen repertoire intentionally showcased the musical legacy of Carrollton High School throughout our rich history. Kirkpatrick Fanfare was programmed to highlight Carrollton’s namesake Charles Carroll of Carrollton, an Irishman and oldest surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. The second work, A Song for Lyndsay, was a tribute to Mrs. Carr for her support of Dr. Carr and his dedication to the Trojan Band. The third composition, Totem Pole March, celebrated Mr. Hall’s legacy by performing a march that he first conducted as a band captain at UGA in 1963, a performance that superintendent Dr. Fullbright witnessed and remembered during Mr. Hall’s interview! Totem Pole was conducted by Mr. Hall on both Tuesday and Friday! Fourth, we celebrated Carrollton graduate, Will Pitts, by performing his work The Eyes That Hold The Stars. This work required the use of microphones and electronics, which was expertly implemented by Mr. Boyle. Fifth, we featured Middle School Band director, Maria Menendez, as a guest conductor for Rusty Bucket a very energetic dance that celebrates small-town life. Sixth, we were joined by Carrollton graduate, William Cooper, and Carrollton Upper Elementary School band director, David Trumble, as soloists on A Song of Hope, a beautiful trumpet solo accompanied by a wind ensemble written for Cancer Blows a non-profit organization that raises money for cancer research. Seventh, Mr. Nelson was featured as a guest conductor on American Salute a fast and exciting rendition of the folk song Johnny Comes Marching Home that has become a staple in the wind band repertoire. We were honored to perform the world premiere of Carrollton graduate Katahj Copley’s newest work, The Wayfinder. We were joined by 16 antiphonal trumpets and 13 antiphonal triangles for this very emotional piece. The crowd provided a generous standing ovation immediately following the premiere! We finished the concert with Neon Nights also by Katahj Copley. It was a fun way to end the concert.

After the concert, it was clear that our performance was the buzz of the conference! Numerous audience members approached students, parents, and directors to share how impressed they were with the performance and thanked us for a joyful experience. Our students performed with passion and professionalism! They represented us with class all weekend on the bus, in the hotel, during concerts, visiting exhibits, and at meals. It was an educational experience that allowed them to hear performances by Lambert High School, the Atlanta Wind Symphony including Jen Lindemann and Chris Martin, Cass Middle School, and Columbus State University. Thank you so much to the parents who traveled with us on the trip and those who made the trip early Friday morning to support us in the audience!!! Mr. Carr, Mr. Nelson, Ms. Menendez, and Mr. Trumble are over the moon proud of our band students! OUTSTANDING JOB!

If you did not receive a program on Tuesday and would like one as a keepsake, please visit the band room for a copy. The performance was the effort of many who are recognized in the program. View photos of the concert here.

This Week at a Glance • CHS Announcements
2/3 – 2/8

Two Traveling to Athens for All-State Band in March!

This year we were represented by Xander Adams, Demarcus Burch, Tyler Clotfelter, Max Duncan, Marie Fujita-Block, Ann Haley, Kylie Maxwell, Hunter Moore, Haley Rowell, McKenzie Swain, and Samuel Wimberly in the 2nd Round of All-State auditions. Due to the inclement weather we received in January, students submitted recordings of their audition materials for the second round. Making it to the second round is an honor and we are proud of all of our students who tried out! This year we had two selected to participate in the All-State Band. Congratulations to Xander Adams, principal tuba, and Demarcus Burch, trumpet! The two of them will travel to Athens from February 27 to March 1 to participate in the 9-10 Concert Band conducted by Dr. Robert Dunham!

Trojan Trebles Win The Kiwanis Showcase!

The Trojan Trebles conducted by Ms. Lowry were awarded first place for their performance of Georgia On My Mind at the 2025 Carrollton Kiwanis Showcase! Our band program was represented with 3 outstanding performances. Congratulations to Kylie Maxwell and Max Duncan and to McKenzie Swain for their Honorable Mentions this evening and to Yael Ramirez and Gray Langlo, “The Slime Guys” for their 5th place finish! Special thank you to Nathaniel Moomey who assisted Gray with his page turns. The Kiwanis Club hosts the showcase each year in early February. If this is something that you are interested in, I recommend to start working on your music now. 1st place wins $500 and the chance to compete at the state level. State-level winners are awarded $4000! This is an outstanding opportunity!

Carrollton Trojan Band Alum Wins Music Competition

Congratulations to Kelley Ozier, former Carrollton Trojan Band Member and band camp staff member for WINNING the 2025 U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Euphonium Solo Competition today! This prestigious event, part of the annual Tuba-Euphonium Workshop, brings together the finest young musicians from across the country—and Kelley, WON FIRST PLACE!! Outstanding job! Go Trojans!

MLK Parade • POSTPONED DUE TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES

The parade committee made the decision to postpone the MLK Parade until February 22. Dr. Carr sent a Remind out as soon as he learned of the change. If you did not receive the Remind, please subscribe so we can keep you informed with just-in-time information. Parents, please subscribe based on your child’s graduation year. Send @Troj2025, @Troj2026, @Troj2027, or Troj2028 to 81010 to subscribe. This information is also in our handbook under the communication plan.

At this time the plan is for the itinerary to be the same just on the new date. On February 22, we will meet at CHS to load equipment at 9:00AM, in Unifrom by 9:30AM. The parade steps off at 11:00AM and we should be finished around 12:00PM.

District Honor Band • Ringgold, GA • February 6 – 8

District Honor Band participants will report to the band room on Thursday, February 6 at the end of 2nd block. We will load the bus, pick up the middle school students, then depart for Ringgold. Participation Itinerary

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE CONCERT LOCATION AND MIDDLE REHEARSAL HAVE CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CONCERTS ARE HOSTED BY LAKEVIEW FT. OGLETHORPE HIGH SCHOOL. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parents, it is very important that you arrive at Ringgold HS on Saturday by 11:00AM. You’ll pick up your child, take them to lunch, and then report to the concert location at Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe HS at the designated time.

Auburn University Honor Band • February 27 – March 1

We also have 1 student representing us in the 2025 Auburn University Honor Band! He discovered the opportunity, asked for a recommendation, submitted his application, and was selected through a highly competitive process. Congratulations Hunter Moore! We know that you will represent Carrollton with pride!

Upcoming Events • Download and Share on Social Media

These are the larger events throughout the year. Please mark your calendars, download, and share on social media as we get closer to the event to help us advertise. Thank you for spreading the word!

Upcoming Dates

Be sure to subscribe to the calendar • www.chstrojanband.com/calendar • Some calendar events stopped syncing after we transferred to CutTime. Be sure to subscribe to this Google Calendar — the CutTime calendar automatically syncs to this one. All you have to do is click the “Add to Google Calendar” at the bottom after visiting http://www.chstrojanband.com/calendar to subscribe. The photo below shows you where to find it.

February

• 3 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 6 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 7 • WG Rehearsal 3:45pm – 6:15pm
• 8 • WG Competition at River Ridge HS
• 10 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 11 • Jazz Band Performance at Tabernacle
• 13 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 17 – 21 • Winter Break • NO SCHOOL
• 24 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 27 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 28 • WG Rehearsal 3:45pm – 6:15pm

March

• 1 • WG Competition at Harrison HS
• 3 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 6 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Pre-LGPE Concert • MAC
• 10 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 13 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 17 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 19 • Symphonic Band Large Group Performance Evaluation 3:40PM • Carroll County PAC
• 20 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Concert Band Large Group Performance Evaluation 10:30AM • Carroll County PAC
  • Wind Ensemble Large Group Performance Evaluation 8:40PM • Carroll County PAC
• 21 • WG Rehearsal 3:45pm – 6:15pm
• 22 • WG Competition at Villa Rica HS
• 24 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 27 • WG Rehearsal 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 28 • SAPA Championships • TBD
• 29 • SAPA Championships • TBD
• 30 • SAPA Championships • TBD

April

• 3 • Spring Band Auditions
• 7 – 11 • Spring Break – NO SCHOOL
• 19 • Band Awards and Party
• 22 • Jazz Performance Evaluations
• 26 • Solo & Ensemble
  • Prom

May

• 1 • Band BBQ
• 6 • Spring Concert
• 16 • Graduation • Band Performs
• 20 • Finals • 1st and 2nd Block • Early Release 12:30pm
• 21 • Last Day of School Finals • 3rd and 4th Block • Early Release 12:30pm

July – Tentative

• 3 • 4th of July Parade Practice
• 4 • 4th of July Parade
• 14 – 18 • Band Camp Week 1 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
• 21 – 25 • Band Camp Week 2 • 8:00am – 9:00pm