The Southwest Dekalb High School Band Program has established a tradition of excellence and quality in musical performance. Hailing from Decatur, GA, with a membership of 300-plus students, the program offers many performance options. Along with the marching band, there are two symphonic large ensembles, the SWD Wind Symphony and the SWD Symphonic Band (both performing level VI literature). There are also two concert bands, a jazz ensemble, and various small instrumental ensembles.
The Georgia Music Educators Association has rated the bands and ensembles superior in performance for fifteen consecutive years. Students in the band program consistently place high and in large numbers in the District IV Honor Bands. About 20% of honor band participants yearly are from the Southwest Dekalb High School Band Program. We are also represented at the GMEA All-State Bands, and the Georgia Governor's Honors Program.
The Southwest Dekalb High School Wind Symphony is the top group of our four concert bands. The Wind Symphony is a vehicle for exposing our strongest musicians to the most challenging and significant works of the wind band repertoire. This group performed at the 1996 GMEA Annual Inservice Conference.
Southwest Dekalb Marching Panther Band
Ranking high among the many proud traditions of Southwest Dekalb High School is the highly acclaimed Marching Panther Band. The marching band is recognized for its perfection in musicianship, precision in marching, and innovative, high-energy perfromances. The key to the success of "The Best Band in the Land" is its commitment to artistic excellence, discipline and hard work. The SWD Band has performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Carnival of Flowers in Nice, France, performed for two United States President, and for the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. In the Fall of 2002, the SWD Band was featured as an exhibition band at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. Along with many local parades and events, the SWD Bands has also performed for numerous Atlanta Falcons Halftime Shows, as well for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies Basketball Team. Recently the SWD Band was prominently featured in the 20th Century Fox movie "Drumline". The movie featured the band students as members of the fictional hero college band (Atlanta A&T University) in both music and field drill situations. Recently the Southwest Dekalb marching Panther Band traveled to California to participate in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Music and band is a vital part of the total school and community culture at SWD.
