by Bryan Jones
In the April 2014 Carrollton Board of Education meeting, Dr. Mark Albertus, principal of Carrollton High School, and Superintendent Kent Edwards announced that Christopher M. Carr '04, the band director of South Paulding High School, would become the band director of Carrollton High School at the start of the 2014-2015 school year.
“The band program undoubtedly has a long tradition of excellence and I look forward to maintaining that legacy through continued hard work and perseverance,” said Christopher.
An alumnus of the University of West Georgia, Christopher earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Conducting at UWG, serving as drum major for the marching band and an assistant to two offices in the music department. In addition, he earned his Master of Music Performance from Georgia State University.
As the band director of South Paulding High School, he led their Wind Ensemble to play at the Georgia State University Georgia Bands of Distinction Honor Clinic and sent numerous students to all-state on a yearly basis. The conductive environment for such accomplishments is one he wishes to bring to Carrollton.
“We created a culture of individual achievement at South Paulding High School through putting an importance on trying out for all-state and district honor band,” said Christopher. “I look forward to helping the students here become more active as well. Setting individual goals encourages students to practice, and participation in district and all-state honor bands widens our students’ perspective of achievement.”
Christopher joins a band program that already boasts an impressive resume, including being the only school in the state of Georgia that wields a 41-year streak of obtaining superior ratings, the highest rating possible, in local marching band competitions. Given such a record, he has high hopes for the program during his tenure.
“I would love to see our band program return to its tradition of representing our community on the national and international scene with trips to parades such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade or the Rose Bowl Parade and even return to the London New Year’s Day Parade,” he stated. “Additionally, I look forward to working with our performing groups inside to represent our community in concert halls throughout the nation and the world.”
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