BHMS Orchestra
Developing the Musicians of Tomorrow
Our ProgramsWhere Every Note Comes Together
The curricular orchestra program began in 2020 at Beacon Hill Middle School with 50 students. In 2022/23 enrollment had already grown to 125 students and expanded to Decatur High School. Our students have received superior ratings at our Large Group Performance Evaluation and Solo and Ensemble performances. Several of our students have also been accepted into the All State Orchestra each year.
A Strong Foundation for Lifelong Musicianship
The Beacon Hill Middle School Orchestra gives students the opportunity to discover the joy of making music together while building the skills, confidence and discipline to grow as young musicians. Through ensemble performance, individual practice and a diverse range of musical experiences, students learn that every note—and every musician—has an important part to play.
Artistically, the program encourages students to develop expressive playing, strong ensemble skills, musicality and an appreciation for a wide variety of musical styles and traditions. Students are challenged to listen deeply, perform with intention and find their own voice within the ensemble.
Academically, students build a foundation in music literacy, rhythm, theory, technique, sight-reading and instrumental performance. Along the way, they develop focus, collaboration, perseverance, critical listening and problem-solving skills that extend well beyond the orchestra room.
The goal is to help every student become a confident, capable musician while discovering the creativity, connection and sense of belonging that come from making music together.
Bobby Crosby, BHMS Orchestra Director
Mr. Crosby has been teaching orchestra at Beacon Hill since 2024. He is an experienced and dedicated music educator, holding undergraduate degrees in both Orchestral Performance and Music Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Music Education.
Mr. Crosby has been a clinician and music arranger for nearly thirty years, having written for steel orchestra, string orchestra, marching band, and drum corps. His ensembles have performed at a variety of regional music festivals and national steel band festivals, Georgia Music Educators Convention, Music for All competitions as well as at the Drum Corps International Southeastern Regional and the Drum Corps Associates World Championships. In 2016, Mr. Crosby had the honor of performing in China, followed by an appearance at Carnegie Hall in 2018 where he co-conducted the Hillgrove Mastery Orchestra.
Your Questions, Answered
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Pay fees HERE by selecting the fee from the dropdown menu. If you cannot afford to pay your student’s fee, please contact Mr. Crosby for a scholarship.
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City Schools of Decatur has a weapons screening system and a clear bag policy for all events held on school grounds. The policy can be found on the district website; however it can be enforced differently. The best bet is to only bring clear bags. At orchestra events we generally do not provide a bag check.
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We love volunteers! Look out for sigh-ups from Mr. Crosby for concert and field trip sign up forms. For more info on volunteering with Decatur Performs, reach out to us via email at president@decaturperforms.org.
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Parking is available on the street (metered) on S. McDonough. Additional parking is available in the DHS parking lot on Howard Ave for performances at the PAC (DHS Performing Arts Center). For the BHMS Cafeteria, parking is available in the front and back school lots as well as surrounding streets.
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How can I make changes to my tickets?
