History of TPOE Eagle Bands
Eastside opened in the fall of 1994 as a transitional school (grades 6-9), with the Eagle Claw Band under the direction of Mrs. Arlene Woods. After two successful years, as Eastside began to grow into a high school, the reigns of the fledgling band program were handed over to Mr. D. Alan Fowler, and The Pride of Eastside Marching Band took the field in the fall of 1996. Presenting a variety of musical selections over the years, The Pride of Eastside has always performed exciting shows which have been well-received by both football and contest crowds alike. From that first season of 40 high school students, the Eastside marching band currently boasts more than a hundred members and is preparing to take flight for a new season. Over it’s first eight years, The Pride of Eastside has traveled to Chattanooga (TN), Jacksonville (FL) for the 2000 Gator Bowl, Disney World, Cleveland (OH), Toronto (Canada), Chicago (IL), and Ft. Myers (FL). In 2016, the band traveled to California to play in the Hollywood Bowl Christmas Parade. In May of 2006 the band performed a Memorial Day concert at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Joining the musicians on all of these trips, as well as all of our marching band performances, is The Pride of Eastside Colorguard, which is the visual ensemble element of the Eastside marching band and one of our most accomplished groups. Since its inception, the Colorguard has been led by Eastside Auxilliary Coordinator Susan Fowler and has become a focal point of our program.
The Eastside band program includes both a Symphonic Band and a Concert Band, which are active year-round. The concert arms of the band perform 5-7 concerts each school year including participation in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation Festivals each March. The Symphonic and Concert Bands have always received superior and excellent ratings at these festivals. Recently the Symphonic Band has been invited to and performed in band festivals at Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Each year the marching band performs at contests and festivals, as well as parades and other events, throughout the state. Maintaining an increasingly demanding performance schedule, the band program has spawned other performing ensembles such as: The Eastside Trombone Choir and Trombone Quartet, The Eastside Drumline, and the ever-popular Screaming Eagle Jazz Band. In January 2002, the Trombone Choir became the first ensemble from Newton County (in memory), to perform at the GMEA Annual In-Service Convention in Savannah, Georgia.
While the group achievement of the EHS bands are clearly noted above, we have also been honored these last several years to have record numbers of students winning selection to the GMEA District Honor Bands each year and since the spring of 2000, 16 Eastside band members have been chosen to participate in the Georgia All-State Bands. Davis Harwell and Heath Williams, and Reid Waters were also chosen to perform in the prestigous Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.
In short, The Pride of Eastside and all of its elements are continuing to learn, grow, and develop. If you are planing to attend Eastside High School, be sure to get involved with the band, and if you come to a concert, game or competition, please check us out and make a point to say hello!
The Eastside band program includes both a Symphonic Band and a Concert Band, which are active year-round. The concert arms of the band perform 5-7 concerts each school year including participation in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation Festivals each March. The Symphonic and Concert Bands have always received superior and excellent ratings at these festivals. Recently the Symphonic Band has been invited to and performed in band festivals at Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Each year the marching band performs at contests and festivals, as well as parades and other events, throughout the state. Maintaining an increasingly demanding performance schedule, the band program has spawned other performing ensembles such as: The Eastside Trombone Choir and Trombone Quartet, The Eastside Drumline, and the ever-popular Screaming Eagle Jazz Band. In January 2002, the Trombone Choir became the first ensemble from Newton County (in memory), to perform at the GMEA Annual In-Service Convention in Savannah, Georgia.
While the group achievement of the EHS bands are clearly noted above, we have also been honored these last several years to have record numbers of students winning selection to the GMEA District Honor Bands each year and since the spring of 2000, 16 Eastside band members have been chosen to participate in the Georgia All-State Bands. Davis Harwell and Heath Williams, and Reid Waters were also chosen to perform in the prestigous Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.
In short, The Pride of Eastside and all of its elements are continuing to learn, grow, and develop. If you are planing to attend Eastside High School, be sure to get involved with the band, and if you come to a concert, game or competition, please check us out and make a point to say hello!
