Five decades after serving as Walton High School’s first drum major, Alan Mortensen returned to the school to mark the 50th anniversary of the Raider Band. Now living in Fort Worth, Texas, Mortensen visited with current band students and presented his original drum major uniform from Walton’s inaugural season. The school will display the uniform to connect future students with its history.
Dr. Chris Ferrell, Cobb County School District Supervisor of Instrumental Music, commented on the occasion: “The Walton High School Band program has a long history of musical achievement, student success, and excellence in the Cobb County community. This visit from Mr. Mortensen is a testament to that history and the strong culture of the band program started by director Bob Cowles in 1975.”
Bob Cowles, Walton’s founding band director, also joined Mortensen during the visit and spoke with students about the program’s origins and growth.
Currently, nearly 300 students participate in Walton’s band program. The ensembles include four concert bands, two jazz groups, a symphony orchestra, winter guard, percussion ensemble, small ensembles, and a marching band. Students regularly earn places in district and state honor bands as well as perform with community groups throughout Metro Atlanta.
The Marching Raider Band has been recognized nationally over its history. In 2007 it received the Sudler Shield award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation for outstanding marching bands. The group has performed at events such as the Macy’s Parade and Tournament of Roses Parade multiple times and consistently reaches finals at Bands of America competitions.
In recent years, Walton’s Marching Raiders have secured titles such as 2022 Bands of America North Carolina Regional Class Champion and 2023 Bands of America Buford Affiliate Champion.
This year marks another milestone as the Raider Band plans to travel overseas for its first international performance at London’s New Year’s Day Parade.
Walton ensembles have also excelled in concert settings. The Wind Symphony and Symphonic Bands have performed at prestigious events like Georgia State University’s Music for All Southeastern Concert Festival and conferences held by both Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) and University of Georgia January Music Festival—opportunities reserved for select high school bands statewide.
The Winter Guard program is nationally recognized as well. It has won first place at Southern Association of Performing Arts Championships for four consecutive years in Tennessee and reached finals at Winter Guard International Championships several times.
Over fifty years only three head directors have led Walton Band: Bob Cowles (beginning in 1975), Mike Back (joined in 1984), and John Palmer (joined staff in 2016). Chris Johns became associate director in 2018 when Palmer became head director after Back retired. Both Cowles and Back remain involved with Walton’s music programs.
Reflecting on these achievements during this anniversary year Dr. Ferrell said: “This was a special moment for everyone involved, myself included. The Cobb County School District Instrumental Music Department could not be prouder of the students and directors at Walton,” regarding Walton Band’s historic celebration.
