From line dancing and on-stage performances to a $50,000 donation, Campbell High School students and special guests recently gathered to celebrate Campbell’s new state-of-the-art music production department.

For over two decades, Cobb Schools has ranked as one of the nation’s top districts for music education. Thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Give A Note Foundation, Cobb will continue that legacy, and Campbell will be able to set up digital audio workstations so students can record, create, and learn music production. 

Campbell’s new music technology program will serve students in grades 9-12, teaching real-life STEM + STEAM skills and exposing them to viable career pathways in the music industry and beyond. 

“We offer a world-class education and, through partnerships with the very best in the music business, Campbell students now have access to a world-class fine arts experience,” said Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

Superintendent Ragsdale was one of the special guests in attendance. TikTok Sensations The Boykinz also treated the Campbell students to an on-stage performance. The Campbell students jumped a chance to join in and show off their line dancing skills. 

The celebration additionally featured Craig A. King, who the students recognized for his renowned reputation as a musician, producer, and entrepreneur of Rap Plug Live. 

“It was great! The singing was great! I was down there line dancing and then being able to talk to Craig King, being able to network and put my name and my friends' names out there who create music and just need a voice,” noted Yusef, a Campbell junior and dedicated musician. 

This donation from the Give A Note Foundation (GAN), which supports K-12 public school music education programs nationwide, kicks off a multi-year commitment to Cobb Schools to help support Campbell’s cutting-edge music program. Give A Note teamed up with Humber Engineered Materials to make the new music and tech program possible for Campbell students. 

“The support from the Huber Corporation and the Give a Note Foundation will truly open doors for students at Campbell High School. This initiative will ensure that a wider range of students, including those who might not participate in traditional ensembles like band, chorus, or orchestra, can engage in the music-making process,” shared Dr. Sara Womack, Cobb Schools Supervisor, General and Choral Music, Dance, and Theatre.

Some Campbell students describe the new class as life-changing. 

“It's quite a revolutionary class. I mean, there's been almost nothing like it before. I'm so honored that we're hosting this groundbreaking class at Campbell,” shared Campbell junior Keatin. “It definitely can be life-changing. I feel like a lot of students don't necessarily realize that going into the music industry is a realistic thing.”

According to Keatin, his new class could show his classmates how they can graduate from high school and pursue a career in the music industry, whether that is music law, audio engineering, performing, singing, or a different role. 

Yusef agreed and can already see how the class will help him succeed. 

“Since I also want to create my own music, I find [the class] really helpful because it's going to teach me how to do it, being able to connect my bass guitar, being able to add those bass lines, and adding vocals online," shared Yusef.

Garrick Wilson is leading the class, bringing extensive experience from both the music and film industries, which often go hand in hand.

"Music is the heartbeat of our emotions, while technology is the pulse that amplifies it; together, they compose the symphony of our connected world," said Campbell’s new music technology teacher.

The class is more than just learning how to operate different types of microphones. The students are diving into the history of music, music production, separate genres, and how those genres evolve into what is heard on the radio or available on Spotify. 

“Access to music technology and production curriculum encourages student participation in school and provides a safe, inclusive environment for them to learn music, music production, songwriting, audio engineering, and other important life skills to advance their future potential,” added Give A Note CEO Dendy Jarrett. 

As one Campbell student said, “Atlanta is a great place for music,” and now Atlanta’s musical talent will be streaming in from Campbell High School.

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