Each year the University of Georgia Music Department hosts the Midfest band festival. This program gives middle school students from around the state and beyond the opportunity to audition, play in honor and clinic bands, and hear guest performaing bands. Participation in these bands is based on the recommendation of area band directors.

Approximately 875 students from 130 schools throughout Georgia and the southeast auditioned for chair placements among the honor band and six clinic bands. The five Dade County band students participating in this year's event in Athens (pictured above left to right) were Cody Henderson, David Ragsdale, Tim Clark, Zach Langley, and Hannah Sharp.

Placing first chair out of all the trumpet players selected to participate in the event was David Ragsdale, an eighth grade student and third-year band member at DMS.