Music
The marching band "Marchin' Cats" is the most recognizable performing group of Valdosta High School. The Marchin' Cats have a history of success beginning with their former and nationally recognized director, Frank Butenschon. Butenschon led the Marchin' Cats to numerous national field and parade championships and sweepstakes during his tenure as head director. The Marchin' Cats are now under the leadership of Michael Thomas. Since Thomas' arrival in 2006, the Marchin' Cats have won five contest grand championships in his six years at the school. Their latest win was at the Battle On The Border in Lowndes County, on October 22, 2011.
Thomas also conducts the wind ensemble, which has received straight superior ratings at the Georgia Large Group Performance Evaluations held in Waycross, Georgia and then Jesup, Georgia. In 2006, the wind ensemble performed in the Heritage Festival in New York City, receiving superior ratings and 2nd place overall in the concert band category. In 2007, the ensemble performed at the Music USA Festival in Orlando, Florida, receiving straight superior ratings as well as overall concert band grand champion. The ensemble consistently performs level 6 music, which is most challenging level in the state of Georgia.
The jazz ensemble is under the direction of trombonist and vocalist Andrew Hill. The jazz ensemble performs at events in the state of Georgia, including: the ABAC Jazz Festival, the Waycross Jazz festival, and country club and social events in south Georgia. Its musical selections include swing, Latin, bebop, funk, rock, and big band.
In 2008 Valdosta High School's music program added an indoor percussion ensemble led by percussion instructor Ted Turner. It is now led by Travis Downs. In its first year the percussion ensemble won a best-in-class award in the novice class of the Ware County indoor percussion festival and contest, and also performed in a festival in the Florida circuit.
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