About

Our Program
The 2019-2020 school year marks the 20th year of existence for Durham Middle School. Since the establishment of the school, the band program has continually served the musical interest of the students both individually and collectively. The program consists of 6th grade band, 7th grade band and 8th grade band. The band program also fosters a jazz band, a percussion ensemble and Durham Winds (pep band). Approximately 340 students participate in the band program at Durham.

Durham bands maintain an active performance schedule across the southeast and within the metro-Atlanta community. Locally, seasonal concerts are presented throughout the year and each year the bands participate in Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival, elementary school performances, Taste of Acworth, Ford ES Evening in the Garden, Atlanta Braves Games and Atlanta Falcons Games. The band annually performs at the Covering the Bases Horizon Field Opening Ceremony. Covering the Bases is an award winning program that raises awareness and funds to support the Horizon Field, The field is a synthetic surface which allows children with physical and cognitive disabilities to play organized sports.

The Durham 8th Grade Band was chosen as guest band at the University of 2003 Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the 2005 Georgia Music Educators' State Convention, the 2010 National Concert Band Festival, the 2016 and 2017 Southeastern Concert Band Festival, and the 2018 UGA Midfest Performance. The Durham 7th/8th Grade Symphonic Band has been chosen to perform as a guest band at the 2018 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival and the Cobb Wind Symphony 2019 Young People’s Concert. The 8th Grade Band received a superior rating and two awards of excellence at the 2006 Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg Tennessee. The 8th Grade Band received the Judges’ Award for receiving a score of 95 or above at the 2007 Heritage Music Festival in Williamsburg, VA. Durham concert bands receive overwhelming positive comments from festival adjudicators and consistently earn superior ratings at LGPE.

The Durham small ensembles are active in the community and have performed for many community events. They also provide music for schools events such as academic pep rallies, physical education events, Durham Parent Nights, and Cobb Wind Symphony Concerts. A highlight for the jazz program occurred in 2001 when Durham Jazz I performed in Orlando for Disney’s Magic Music Days.

Durham students extend their talents beyond the daily band class. Students from Durham audition successfully for District 12 Honor, Georgia All State and UGA Middle School Festival bands. Many students participate in GYSO, Atlanta Youth Concert Band and other community organizations. Many former Durham students are now band directors and professional musicians.

The Durham band program feeds two award winning high school band programs, Allatoona and Harrison High Schools. These high schools have performed at many prestigious events, including Midwest, UGA Janfest, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Georgia Music Educators’ Conference, National Concert Band Festival, and Bands of America Regional/Grand National marching band contests.

The successes of Durham band students and Durham bands reflect the desire of the local community to support music education endeavors. Likewise it is the desire of the Durham band directors to see such success developed for optimum student experience.

Directors

Matt Segars
Director of Bands

This is Matt Segars’ sixth year at Durham Middle School. He has been an independent music contractor with schools in the Atlanta area since 2008. He has worked as a marching band instructor for South Cobb and Brookwood High School Marching Bands; in 2009 he traveled with South Cobb to the Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington D.C. He has worked as low brass instructor at McClure MS, Simpson MS, Mabry MS, and Dickerson MS. Matt is currently on staff with the Pope High School Marching Band. He is also currently a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony where he plays in the trombone section.

Mr. Segars currently serves in the U.S. Army National Guard where he is a member of the 116th Army National Guard Band based out of Clay National Guard Center on Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base. He is the announcer for the Concert Band, is a member of the Jazz Band, and performed with the 116th Brass Band at the Georgia Music Educators Conference. He received an Army Commendation Medal for his performance in the yearly Best Warrior Competition.

Matt is a product of the Cobb County School system as a graduate of Pope High School. He went on to major in Music Education at Georgia State University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in 2011. He has studied trombone under Dr. Tom Gibson, Dr. Philip Brown, Dr. Darren Cash, and Dr. Cory Mixdorf. While at GSU he performed with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and the Jazz I Band.

Mr Segars has received two National Band Association Citation of Excellence.

Mr. Segars maintains membership affiliation with Georgia Music Educators Association, and National Association for Music Education.


Selena Sanchez

Associate Director of Band

Selena Sanchez is a proud product of Cobb County. She attended Tapp Middle School and graduated from Mceachern High School. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. Her teachers include John Lawless, Scott Brown, and Cecilia Clark.

Ms. Sanchez is an active music educator and performer. She is currently the Director of Percussion at Allatoona High School and has been on staff since 2013. She has worked with numerous middle and high schools throughout Cobb County, where she served as a percussion clinician and instructor. Additionally, Ms. Sanchez maintains a private percussion studio. As a performer, Ms. Sanchez is currently a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony in Marietta, Georgia, under the direction of Alfred Watkins. She has performed in numerous settings ranging from symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, percussion ensembles, solo recitals, and marching percussion.

Selena’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Service Sorority.

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