Southwest DeKalb has won 24 athletic State Championships which is the second highest of all DeKalb County schools, most recently being Girls Basketball and Boys Track and Field 2016. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Southwest Dekalb High School Higher Education Decatur, Georgia 392 followers Southwest DeKalb High School is rising in its own right as an academic powerhouse. We work hard and practice hard. The marching band is recognized for its perfection in musicianship, precision in marching, and innovative, high-energy performances. Mr. Don P. Roberts, M.M.ED. Stay safe and Love all. In 2005, Mr. Roberts also worked as the Executive Band Consultant on the Missy Elliot hit song, Bad Man, from her album, The Cookbook. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. In 2008, Mr. Roberts was recognized by the Dallas Austin Foundation as its 2008 Maestro of the Year in Music Education. That band was the Marching Panthers of Southwest DeKalb High School, Decatur, GA. The DRUMLine Live tour was managed by Columbia Artist Management Incorporated (CAMI). Mr. Seda has been the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School since 2001. Advertisement. All students not enrolled in a DeKalb County School District school must also earn a 75th percentile (or higher) total reading score, 75th percentile (or higher) total math score on the baseline M.A.P. The event was concluded by guest speaker Anthony C. Aiken, a retired United States Army Colonel. Mr. Seda has been recognized and honored by Whos Who Among Americas Teachers multiple times. They won the Georgia AAA state championship in 1973 and the AAAA state championship in 1995. As well The Marching Panthers rival is Stephenson High School located in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Be sure to subscribe and hit that notification button to see round #2? In March of 2016, the DRUMLine Live Marching Bandperformed for more than 8,000 "Googlers" as a part of the Google (Engage) Employee World-Wide Convention in Anaheim, California. While there, he studied conducting with Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. Millions of people saw the hit 2002 20th Century Fox film, Drumline. What many probably didnt realize is that the Atlanta A&T University band in the movie was played by a high school band. Website. Director Seda put Jones in front of the band and taught him to how to posture himself as band director Dr. Lee, working with him 3-4 weeks before the band started shooting on the set. Television and radio features are also to his credit as CNN displayed his talents in a television documentary on the life of jazz musician Jesse Stone. DISTRICT CALENDAR. 116 were here. Presently, Mr. Roberts is pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Administration from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida. He was also the Associate Producer and Executive Band Consultant for the ESPNU Television series, The Battle, which featured some of Americas best Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands. Drumline is a 2002 American film directed by Charles Stone III. He has done studio sessions for television and radio commercials, as well as short films and movies. The New York Renaissance Faire (1978) by Estelle Conn. 1 / 20. He also said, Kids being kids, they also enjoyed the student social.. He has also performed in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He is Co-Founder of Precision Incorporated (Summer Band Camp), Chief Consultant for the Metro Atlanta Battle of the Bands, and former Executive Producer of DeKalb Schools Television Show, "Music in Motion". For those who are new and are wondering about why this was necessary, read the shift in editing starting March 1st blog. The high school band program currently has about 250 members and there are another 200 in the middle school program and more in the four elementary bands that feed into the high school. In 2009 school administrators reported that students were enrolled in AP courses in chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, English, European history, French, Spanish, government, U.S. history, world history, economics, statistics and psychology. Percussion Ensemble, PA, Students Talk About Their Positively Life-Changing Festival Experience, Dr. William P. Foster Collaborative Initiative, Growing up musical: A family affair for Atlanta Symphonys Chris Martin, Selecting Repertoire: A Matter of Conscience, A Personal Viewpoint, What Makes Kids KICK IT IN and TAKE THE LEAD. Mr. Seda is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, The International Trumpet Guild, Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Screen Actors Guild and MACE. Southwest DeKalb High School 2863 Kelley Chapel Road Decatur, Georgia 30034 Phone 678.874.1902 Southwest DeKalb High School About Us Panther TV SWD Brochure DCSD Launchpad Administration Staff Student Code of Conduct Student Social Media Guidelines Academics Media Center Counseling Department Athletics SWD Student Handbook font-family: "Verdana"; Music has impacted and molded Mr. Sedas life, and he feels that he should share and expose his knowledge and experiences with his students so they may have the same opportunities. He served as the Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands at Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, Georgia from 1990 through 1996. Hailing from Decatur, GA, with a current membership of 170-plus students, the program offers many performance options. Even a couple band slogans made it into the movie. The Southwest Dekalb High School Band Program has established a tradition of excellence and quality in musical performance. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Prior to that he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Chapel Hill Middle School for two years, the primary feeder school to Southwest Dekalb High School, also assisting with the band program at Southwest Dekalb simultaneously. @font-face { As the students gained more knowledge as to the significance of the event, as well as what it meant to our program, school and community to be invited, they took ownership to insure our success at the festival., While the students enjoyed all the aspects of the festival, the master classes were especially impressive and effective. Under Mr. Roberts' tutelage the band was invited to perform in the1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Under the guidance of Mr. Roberts, the DeKalb County School District has one of the largest, most active and innovative music programs in the state of Georgia. Mr. Seda also worked on the 20th Century Fox motion picture DRUMLINE as a music arranger, band organizer, instrumentalist, and actor extra. About Us | Southwest DeKalb High School Bands | Decatur The Georgia Music Educators Association has rated the bands and ensembles superior in performance for twenty three consecutive years. While attending Florida A&M University, Mr. Seda was a very active musician. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place. served as the Executive Band Consultant for the Twentieth Century Fox hit movie, Drumline. He was responsible for training the actors, writing the precision drills, rehearsing the band, etc. 327. Mr. Seda worked on the 20th Century Fox motion picture DRUMLINE as a music arranger, band organizer, creative consultant, instrumentalist, and actor extra. ABOUT USAtlanta Drum AcademyJames Riles III has been playing drums since he was a kid. Throughout the years, \"Pray and Play\" has always been his motto.If you like this video, please SUBSCRIBE and dont forget to press the bell, like, comment and share. One of Mr. Roberts greatest accomplishments as a music educator was the Southwest DeKalb Panthers being the only band in America selected to perform in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games where he worked with world renown Super Producers Kenny Ortega (High School Musical and This Is It) and Don Mischner (Prince Super Bowl Halftime 2007). Television and radio features are also to his credit as CNN displayed his talents in a television documentary on the life of jazz musician Jesse Stone. Free Internet and Tablet The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. They had a wonderful experience in the master classes, said Seda. His God given talent landed him at Morris Brown College with a Music Scholarship. 2023. The school system allowed the band to film early in the day and then go back to class. James O. Seda is currently the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School. The buyer assumes all responsibility for the property condition and occupancy. One of the bands performing at the "BET southern classic" is Clark Atlanta University, whose campus is used as the setting for Atlanta A&T . Southwest Dekalb High School Virtual Pre-Commencement and Senior Awards Ceremony SWD Panther TV 1.4K views Streamed 1 year ago **JACKSON STATE** SONI$ B@0M 0F DA $0UH SOUTHERN HERITAGE. The actors imitated the bands mottos, language, rehearsal mentality, rehearsal statements, behaviors and as much else as possible to convey atmosphere of the band. He was also in the trumpet studio of Dr. Marty Robinson. Most recently, Mr. Roberts was appointed as the Executive Band Consultant for the upcoming 2017 BET movie, The Yard. He also worked in the same position for the VH-1 and Fox Television Studios movie, Drumline: A New Beat, which is the long awaited sequel to Drumline. The movie premiered on VH-1 in October 2014, and was nominatedfor "Best Music Supervision" for Television: Long Form and Movies, by the Guild of Music Supervisors. The band was on the film set from mid-October 2001 through February of 2002. EFFECTIVE TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21ST Parents! Seda says all were pleased with the portrayal that made it into the film. The five series weekly show debuted in the fall of 2010. Mr. Roberts also serves as the President and CEO, Director, Playwright, and Creator of the critically acclaimed Theatrical Production, DRUMLine Live, which toured all across the U.S., Japan, and Korea from 2008-2013. Explanations for data columns can be downloaded here. Both actors came to the school and attended classes with the Southwest DeKalb band members, training with the bands drum line. He also studied trumpet in the studio of Dr. Marty Robinson. Mr. Seda has performed in Paris, France, The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland and the North Seas Jazz Festival in The Haag, Holland. Southwest Dekalb High School Unclaimed 2863 Kelley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034 Contact info 4 /10 GreatSchools Rating 11 reviews 1,176 Students Grades 9-12 4 /10 GreatSchools Summary Rating 4/10 Test Scores below average 6/10 Student Progress average 2/10 College Readiness below average 3/10 Equity below average Last updated: Jul 31, 2022