The Walton High School Orchestra program was founded in 1975. The orchestra program has a long history of excellence. Directed by Perry Holbrook and Sara Grimes, the program currently enrolls over 400 string players in seven string orchestra classes. Traditionally, the Walton Orchestras maintain an active performance schedule. Notable performances include:
2020 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra, Midwest Clinic performance
2018 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra, American String Teachers Association Convention Performance: opening session
2018 – Walton High School Orchestras, European Tour Performances: Vienna, Prague, & Salzburg
2017 – Walton High School Orchestras, Bahamas Cruise and Performances
2016 – Walton High School Chamber Music Society, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performance
2016 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra with Chamber Winds, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
2015 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra, Mark of Excellence National Winner from The Foundation for Music Education
2015 – Walton High School Orchestras, European Tour Performances: Vienna, Prague, & Esterhazy
2014 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra, Mark of Excellence National Winner from The Foundation for Music Education
2012 – Walton High School Symphony Orchestra, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performance
2012 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia, American String Teachers Association Convention Performance
2012 – Walton High School Orchestras, Bahamas Cruise and Performances
2012 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
2009 – Walton High School Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia, American String Teachers Association Convention Performance, Opening Ceremony
2009 – Walton High School Philharmonia, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
2008 – Walton High School Chamber Music Society, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performance (first high school string chamber groups from the United States selected to perform)
2007 – Walton High School Orchestras, European Tour Performances; Vienna, Berlin, Prague
2006 – Walton High School Sinfonia (Second Orchestra), Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
2005 – Walton High School Philharmonia, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performance
2004 – Walton High School Orchestras, European Tour Performances; Vienna, Graz, Salzburg
2003 – Walton High School Philharmonia, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
2002 – Walton High School Philharmonia, National School Board Convention Performance
2000 – Walton High School Philharmonia, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performance (first orchestra from the State of Georgia selected to perform)
2000 – Walton High School Orchestras, European Tour Performances: Ascoli Piceno, Sienna, Vienna, and Cremona
1999 – Walton High School Philharmonia, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
1995 – Walton High School Orchestra, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
1989 – Walton High School Orchestra, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention Performance
1983 – Walton High School Orchestra, Georgia Music Educators Association Convention
History of Directors
Perry Holbrook, 2001 – Present
Kirk D. Moss, 1993 – 2001
Lynne Webster, 1993
Robert Haley, 1985 – 1993
Beth Bowen, 1980 – 1985
Joe Tarantino, 1976 – 1980
Robert Cowles, 1975 – 1976
History of Assistant Directors
Sara Grimes, 2010 – Present
Rebecca Dosch, 2003 – 2010
Karen McClary, 2001 – 2002
Walton High School
Walton High School is a neighborhood, public, four-year comprehensive high school with a strong college-preparatory program. It is located in eastern Cobb County, twenty miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. Walton benefits from a stable upper-class community with high expectations for its children and distinct pride in its schools.
Opened in 1975, Walton currently enrolls 2615 students. The class of 2012 has 30 National Merit Semifinalists and 49 National Merit Commended. The mean SAT score for the top 10% of Walton’s seniors was 2244. Over 99% of Walton’s graduates attend post-secondary institutions.
Walton High School has been named a National School of Excellence twice, first in 1984 and most recently in 2007. In 1998 Walton became Cobb County’s first Charter High School. Walton’s reputation for excellence was publicized nationwide in U.S. News and World Report last year when the magazine listed Walton as one of the top 100 high schools in the nation. Additionally, in the January 18, 1999 issue of U.S. News and Report, Walton was one of six featured schools identified from among 96 “Outstanding American High Schools.”
Walton students have been afforded unique opportunities for international study, enriching their classroom experiences. AP Spanish students study at the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca in Spain; AP French students study in Paris. AP European students study at Oxford University in Cambridge, England. The Walton Orchestra has performed and studied in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, Walton students have studied at YIHAI #8 school, our sister school in Beijing, China.
Walton Raider Orchestra Guild, WROG, Inc.
Walton Raider Orchestra Guild, Inc (WROG) is a non-profit 501©(3) organization dedicated to the service of the students, faculty and friends of the Walton High School Orchestras.
WROG board is comprised of members of the Walton orchestras. Goals of WROG are:
- To provide opportunities for the students in the orchestra program to develop proficiency, reliability, integrity, discipline and excellence.
- To provide administrative assistance to the music directors.
- To help ensure the future success of the Walton High School Orchestra through fundraising and general support.
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the Walton Orchestras is to provide the best music education possible using string instruments. Objectives include:
Cultural- to foster the continued developed of music appreciation and understanding through the study and performance of quality musical literature
Educational- to develop interested and discriminating listeners, provided a well-rounded music education, and prepare students for musical activities beyond high school.
Service- to lend support and atmosphere to certain school and community affairs while promoting and enhancing the dignity and reputation of Walton High School at all appearances.
Citizenship- to develop the ability to function as a responsible member of the group, to enhance the student’s ability to interact with others in a positive manner, and to develop the ability to function as a responsible member of the community.
Recreational- to provide students with the opportunity for worthy use of leisure time.
