John Palmer, Director of Bands

John Palmer has been in the Walton High School cluster since 1999, directing the band at Dickerson Middle School for 17 years, and at Walton since 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Furman University, a Master of Music Education degree from Louisiana State University, and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Georgia. Prior to coming to Cobb County he taught for three years at South Effingham Middle and High Schools in Guyton, Georgia.

Under Mr. Palmer’s direction, the Dickerson Middle School Band was invited to perform at the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival (2015), the Music for All National Concert Band Festival (2010, 2014), the Georgia Music Educators Association Annual Convention (2006, 2016), and the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival (2002, 2009, and 2013). Since Mr. Palmer’s arrival at Walton, the Wind Symphony has been invited perform at the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival (2020) and the GMEA In-Service Conference (2021 virtual, 2022).

Mr. Palmer has served as an adjudicator for GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations, as a guest conductor for several GMEA Honor Bands and collegiate band clinics and served on the committee to revise the Georgia Performance Standards in 2017. Mr. Palmer’s professional associations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, Phi Kappa Lambda, the National Association for Music Education, Kappa Delta Phi, the Georgia Association of Educators, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. He has received seven Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, was elected to Phi Beta Mu in 2008, and most recently inducted into the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor in December 2021.

Outside of band, Mr. Palmer is a vocal advocate for public education and for teachers and state employees. He lives in Marietta with his wife, Elaine, and their two children, Rebecca and Jack.

Chris Johns, Associate Director of Bands

Chris Johns is in his eighth year as the Associate Director of Bands at Walton High School (Cobb County School District) in Marietta, GA. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Columbus State University, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, and an Education Specialist of Music Education degree from Auburn University. Mr. Johns is a four-time recipient of the NBA Citation of Excellence and a 2021 recipient of the CBDNA Mike Moss Conducting Fellowship.

At Walton, Mr. Johns is the lead teacher for the Symphonic Band and Concert Band II while coordinating the Marching Raider Band. Under his direction, the Symphonic Band has performed at the 2022 Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival as an invited ensemble. Additionally, he has served as the associate conductor of the Walton Wind Symphony’s performances at the GMEA In-Service Conference, the University of Georgia January High School Music Festival, and the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival. He also serves as the GMEA District XII Vice-Chair and as a member of the CCSD Performing Arts Resource and Support Team.

Mr. Johns is an active clinician, consultant, marching band program coordinator, and guest conductor who has presented at the AMEA and GMEA In-Service Conference. He is a former member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Johns’ professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators’ Association, the National Band Association, and the Music Educators’ National Conference.