On December 9, the Swainsboro Middle School Band Program opened the holiday season with a Winter Concert that highlighted the students’ dedication throughout the semester. The 6th-grade band performed their first learned pieces, demonstrating significant progress since the start of the year. The 7th- and 8th-grade bands played holiday classics, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and featured a special appearance by the Grinch conducting “Welcome Christmas” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The entire band program delivered an excellent performance, and we are proud of their hard work and commitment.
Twenty-one Swainsboro Middle School band members were selected for the 2025 University of Georgia Honor Band. These students auditioned alongside peers from across the state for this honor.
The students selected were Christian Bellamy (trumpet), Blake Johnson (trumpet), William Lopez (trombone), Trey Powell (trumpet), Kenley Smith (bass clarinet), Jayden Wiley (trombone), Audrey Crane (clarinet), Jared Garcia (trombone), Edyn Henry (flute), JT Jackson (trumpet), Consuela Jimenez (clarinet), Luiz Lopez (tuba), Samuel Martinez (trombone), Preet Patel (clarinet), John Perez (trombone), Kaylee Screws (baritone saxophone), Stetson Sheppard (trombone), Kayden Southerland (baritone), Jordan Steward (baritone), Jude Thompson (trombone), and Jocelyn Williams (flute). They were chosen from over 1,800 eligible musicians statewide. At the festival, students participated in rehearsals and masterclasses led by top musicians and educators in Georgia.
Swainsboro Middle School has a strong tradition in its band program. For the past two years, more students from our school were selected for the UGA Honor Band than from any other school in the area. Last year, 19 students were named to the band. Several students have also been selected for the District Honor Band.
SMS Band Director Mr. Tylan Davis expressed his pride in the students’ achievements. “The band members are some of the hardest-working students and are willing to go the extra mile to be excellent. I congratulate them on their accomplishments and thank them for the great job they do each day for our band. I also would like to thank the Band Parents, the administration at Swainsboro Middle School, as well as Superintendent Dr. Denise Warnock and the Board of Education for their support of music in Emanuel County Schools.”
