VALDOSTA — The Sixth Grade Band at Valdosta Middle School participated in the Southern Star Music Festival this past Saturday in Atlanta and was awarded with a gold standard rating from each judge on the panel.

The judges were Dr. Pat Dunnigan from Florida State University, Dr. David Gregory from Reinhardt College and conductor of the Tara Winds Adult Community Band based in Atlanta, and Lou Cefus, a retired music educator and conductor for the Savannah River Winds Community Band based in Augusta.

The festival was held at Riverwood High School. Middle school and high school bands, orchestras, and choirs from all over the southeast were in attendance for the two-day festival. Of the 16 instrumental groups participating, the Valdosta Middle School Sixth Grade Band was one of only two bands that received a gold rating from all three judges.

After the performance, students and chaperones enjoyed the rest of the day at Six Flags Over Georgia Amusement Park with an awards ceremony in the park’s amphitheatre.

The VMS Band program ends the school year with its annual spring concert, which features the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade bands, 7 p.m. today, Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center. Admission: Free and open to the public.