During the 2023-24 school year, Carlton Williams joined the Midtown band program, overseeing the jazz and the marching band, coming from Dallas, Texas.
Williams primarily played the trombone and graduated from Jackson State University in Mississippi. Freshman band member Evan Lin said he brought in a new positive and persistent energy to the Midtown band program.
“I can tell Mr. Williams wants to take the marching band to a new level,” Lin said. “I love the sense of community in the band and Mr. Williams’ passion and encouragement fosters the sense of camaraderie while also pushing us to do our best.”
Williams said he has been impressed with the hard working student body at the school.
“The marching band is unique, in that most of the members are at the top of their classes academically and effectively manage to balance various clubs and organizations,” Williams said. “We are constantly working on commitment and creating a better culture in the marching band.”
The Marching MidKnights perform at a number of events in the community and in and around Atlanta city high schools, where it promotes school spirit at games as well as participates in community events like the Inman Park Parade last year.
“We currently attend all Midtown football games on campus and at other high schools and also play at invitational marching band competitions,” Williams said.
In the year 2023-24, the Marching MidKnights placed first at the McEachern Marching Invitational. This year, the band received an excellent rating, the drum major and the drumline received a superior rating and the MHS Colorguard/Dance placed first in the McEachern Marching Invitational.
“The band members learn material at an impressive rate and we have grown in members because the band recruits for itself by way of excellent award-winning performances at competitions and games,” Williams said.
The band was recently invited to play at the Atlanta Public Schools board meeting where the marching band put up an impressive show.
“The band’s performance at the Atlanta Public School board meeting was very well-received by the meeting participants as well as the members and the district leadership,” Williams said.
The parent involvement in the marching band has been excellent and the parents have assisted with the program through numerous supportive roles according to Williams.
“I am so impressed with Mr. Williams’ enthusiasm, passion, respect and kindness with the kids,” Melanie Levs, parent of a freshman percussion player, said. “They seem like a very secure, committed and smart group of students and I am glad my son has found his people. He hopes to stick with the Marching Band all four years, he definitely plans to.”
Although intensive and time-consuming, parents of the students involved in the marching band think it a great sport to be part of.
“I did not realize it was so time-consuming and as a parent, that can be a juggle since I have two other kids,” Levs said. “But we make it work because marching band is such a terrific, positive activity and I’m so glad my son is involved. His family is proud of him.”
Talia Pivoshenko, the drum major in the marching band and plays flute in the concert band, said football games are her favorite part of playing for the marching band.
“My favorite part of marching band is the football games because I get to hang out with my friends while also performing stand tunes throughout the game and our show during halftime,” Pivoshenko said. “I think one of our best performances was last year’s Stevie Wonder themed show.”
Pivoshenko said that the band is a big time commitment because they practice two to three times a week, each day for 3 hours.
“Since the marching band rehearses 2-3 times a week I have plenty of time to balance school, band, and other extracurricular activities,” Pivoshenko said.
Junior Kai Huber, a clarinet player, who has been part of the marching band since his sophomore year said that marching band is a lot of balancing.
“I try to complete my work when I’m given time in classes. It takes a lot of discipline and can be hard, but I’m getting better at balancing everything,” Huber said.
Pivoshenko said the Marching band has come a long way since Mr. Williams joined the school band program.
“Mr. Williams is very dedicated to the growth and development of the band,” Pivoshenko said. “He has spent a lot of time improving the band with both music and marching, and growing our numbers.”
