Dalton Public Schools proudly celebrates an incredible achievement by Dalton Junior High School 8th grader Christian Verdel, who has earned a spot in the prestigious Georgia All-State Band. Christian’s selection is a testament to his dedication, talent, and countless hours of practice. He will perform with the state’s finest young musicians on March 1, 2025, at The Classic Center in Athens, GA.
Christian’s journey to the All-State Band is historic for Dalton Junior High. It has been at least five years since an 8th-grade student from the school advanced this far. What makes Christian’s achievement even more remarkable is his success on two instruments—tenor saxophone and baritone saxophone—during the audition process.
"We are so very proud of Christian for all of his hard work," said Sara Webb, Hammond Creek Band Teacher. "If you know Christian, you know his saxophone is literally an extension of himself; he plays any moment he can and takes the initiative to find opportunities to engage in music beyond the normal school day. It is incredibly fulfilling to see his dedication pay off and for him to have earned the opportunity represent DPS in the 2025 All-State Band!"
Christian wasn’t the only standout among Dalton Public Schools’ young musicians. From Hammond Creek Middle School, 7th grader Ethan Gomez became the first student in the school’s history to advance to the second round of auditions for the Georgia All-State Band on trombone. At Dalton Junior High, Cindy Saldana (clarinet) also advanced to the second round, further showcasing the depth of talent within the district.
"Christian is such a hard-working student who absolutely deserves this statewide recognition," said Taylor Mullis, HCMS Band Teacher. "We are so incredibly proud of him! It has been so rewarding to be able to see his growth as a musician over the past going on three years. We are so excited to see Christian perform with the Georgia All-State Band as he represents our school system and community here in Dalton!"
Christian’s success in reaching the All-State Band is an inspiration to his peers and a testament to the strength of the music programs at Dalton Public Schools. His hard work has earned him the opportunity to perform on a statewide stage, and we could not be more proud.
Congratulations to Christian, Ethan, and Cindy for their remarkable achievements! We look forward to celebrating Christian’s performance this March.