Walton’s Orchestra
program has a long history of excellence. Directed by
Dr. Perry Holbrook and Ms. Sara Duncan, the program
currently enrolls 265 string players in six string
orchestra classes. Before the school year begins, Walton
Orchestra students participate in a week-long music camp
held at Reinhardt College.
Traditionally, the
Walton Orchestras maintain an active performance
schedule. During the 2011-2012 school year, the Walton
Orchestras will perform at the American String Teacher
Association National Conference and the Georgia Music
Educators Association Conference. In 2008, the Walton
Chamber Music Society became the first group of high
school string chamber music to be accepted to the
Midwest Clinic. During the 2005-2006 school year, two of
Walton’s orchestras performed at major conventions.
The Walton
Philharmonia performed in Chicago at the Midwest Clinic
and the Walton Sinfonia performed at the Georgia Music
Educators State Convention. In 2007, the orchestras
combined to perform in Berlin, Prague, and Vienna as a
part of a 10-day European Tour. In 2004, the
orchestras combined to perform in Vienna, Salzburg, and
Graz as a part of a 10-day tour of Austria. The Walton
Philharmonia performed at the 2003 Georgia Music
Educators/Southern Division Convention.
During the 2001-2002
school year, the orchestra performed before 12,000
school board members in New Orleans at The National
School Board Association Convention where the orchestra
shared a program with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The
orchestra also organized a concert to honor the memories
of the victims of the September 11 tragedy. Along with
the band and chorus, the orchestra performed a benefit
concert that helped raise over $8,000 for the September
11 Fund. In December 2000, the Walton Philharmonia made
their first appearance at Chicago’s prestigious Midwest
Clinic, becoming the first high school orchestra in
Georgia to receive this invitation. Over they ears,
Walton’s Orchestras have also performed five additional
times for the Georgia Music Educator’s Annual In-Service
Conference.
