Undeniably, marching bands are the heart and soul of any solid football team. Lesser known, however, is the hard work and dedication it takes to produce the smooth, rhythmic sounds that power the North Atlanta student section. Behind the finished product we see at football games are people like Jarius Thomas, the new North Atlanta band director.
At the ripe age of four, Thomas began dabbling with the drums. Then, he learned how to play the piano and the trumpet. By the end of highschool, he knew that music was his calling. 21 years of directing music and 7 programs later, Thomas still feels this way. Notably, he’s had stints at Pebblebrook HS, associate director – Osborn High School, head director – and Creekside highschool, associate director. Teaching and mentoring young musicians requires an extended educational process, and after undergrad, Thomas desired that education. He earned a bachelors of arts and music education from the HBCU, Edward Waters in Jacksonville Florida.
As band director, Thomas is not simply the leader of our talented marching band. He also manages six separate ensembles, which are as follows: marching band, the percussion ensemble, a jazz band, and three concert ensembles – wind symphony, symphonic band, and the concert band. Marching band is considered an afterschool activity, similar to football or baseball practice. They practice four times a week after school, then perform on Friday for football games. “Managing this many groups requires serious time management as there are a lot of different components,” said Thomas. “But I love experiencing the connection between different ensembles, it’s incredible.”
The students in his classes noticed his unique teaching styles right away. Introducing a new warm-up inspired by classical artists, Thomas desires to inspire a love for music in his students. Senior Mackenzie Harris, a member of the marching band and wind symphony, appreciates his positive attitude and compassionate approach to teaching. “He does not demand perfection from us, he simply wants all of us to get better every day,” said Harris. “I can already see that he appreciates hard work and perseverance more than innate skill.”
Over the next few years, Thomas plans to help the North Atlanta band program evolve and adapt in positive ways. With a focus on creativity, hard work, and attention to detail, he aims to instill the same passion he felt for music when he first discovered it. He wants his students to love music, not for the possible success it brings, but rather for its raw beauty and inspirational traits.
