Music Lessons in Georgia

When school band, orchestra and choir begin in Georgia

Across the Georgia districts covered here, band, orchestra, and chorus often begin in sixth grade, though the start and grade span differ by district. Cobb County and Gwinnett County Public Schools offer all three in sixth grade; Fulton County Schools offers band and orchestra from sixth grade. Rome City Schools invites students in grades 5 through 7 to audition for show choir, while Marietta City School District opens band and chorus to sixth graders and continues them in grades 7 and 8. Starting privately before or alongside school gives you or your child time to build skills before joining an ensemble.

Who runs student music in Georgia

Georgia's student music opportunities come through groups with different roles, so it helps to know which one fits. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) promotes Region and State music competitions for students at public and private high schools that join. The Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) is a group of independent and collegiate music teachers whose programs support student performance and composition as well as teaching and research. The Georgia chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (GA-ACDA) serves choral directors and holds a state conference with concerts and student activities, giving young singers another way to engage with choral music.

Homeschool and private school students

Georgia home study students seeking extracurricular or interscholastic activities through their resident school must give the principal and superintendent written notice at least 30 calendar days before the semester begins, then meet the activity's eligibility requirements. In North Metro Atlanta, North Metro Music Education supports public, private, and homeschool students through band, orchestra, chorus, jazz, and marching band. Metro Atlanta homeschoolers also have several levels of string orchestra through Bravo Homeschool Strings.

Choosing an instrument

In many Georgia districts, school band, orchestra, and chorus begin in sixth grade, so you or your child can start with the sound that feels most inviting rather than choosing only to fit a school slot. The state's Sacred Harp singing and string-band history offer different paths into music, from voice to guitar, while school ensembles provide a place for many instruments. For a young child, comfort holding and handling an instrument matters; a teen may be drawn to a particular ensemble, and an adult can choose simply for personal enjoyment. Lesson With You's free first lesson lets you meet a teacher online, hear how they respond to your interests, and decide if weekly lessons feel right.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults have places to make music together in Georgia, including the Metropolitan Atlanta Community Band in Atlanta metro, which welcomes players of varied abilities without an audition, and the LaGrange Community Band in LaGrange. Singers can join the Classic City Community Chorus in Athens without an audition, while the Symphony Orchestra of North Georgia in Cumming auditions adult players at high-school level or above. It is not too late to begin or return to music; our one-on-one Zoom lessons give you real-time feedback from a dedicated teacher who gets to know how you learn, without a commute.

Music in Georgia

Where to hear live music

Atlanta offers classical and opera performances, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's college pass and student rush tickets at The Atlanta Opera. The Georgian Chamber Players' Atlanta-area season includes free concerts except at Eddie’s Attic and Oakland Cemetery, and the Georgia Philharmonic offers discounted tickets for students and families. In Savannah, the Savannah Jazz Festival includes free festival dates alongside ticketed performances. Hearing live music helps you or your child connect what a teacher explains with how performers listen and respond to one another, which makes ensemble playing easier to imagine.

A little history

Georgia's music history reaches from Sacred Harp singing to early country string bands and blues. The Sacred Harp songbook first appeared in 1844, and its gapped scales, unusual harmonies, and doubled vocal parts give singers a distinctive tradition to explore. Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers were influential string-band recording artists during country music's formative years, while Thomson native Blind Willie McTell, based in Atlanta, was known for twelve-string guitar and recorded “Statesboro Blues.”

Piano and voice also have deep roots here: Alfredo Barili moved to Atlanta in 1880 as its first professional concert pianist, and Ray Charles sang “Georgia on My Mind” for the Georgia General Assembly in 1979; the legislature later made it the official state song. These histories give you or your child several genuine starting points, whether that means learning guitar, singing, or choosing an instrument for a school ensemble.