Performing Arts
Halls High School’s performing arts programs offer students the opportunity to develop their creativity, talent, and confidence through music, theatre, and visual performance. Whether on stage, in the band room, or behind the scenes, students learn discipline, collaboration, and self-expression while sharing their skills with the school and community.
Our programs provide a supportive environment where students can explore their artistic interests, grow as performers, and gain experiences that will serve them well beyond high school. From concerts and plays to competitions and community events, the performing arts are an important part of life at Halls High School.
Chorus
Elizabeth Williams
Elizabeth Williams is a native of South Carolina but has lived in Tennessee for 31 years. She graduated from Carson-Newman University with a bachelor's degree in music education with an emphasis in piano performance.
Elizabeth has been the Choral Director at Halls High School for 21 years. Under her direction, her choirs have won top honors in TN, NC, SC, and Ohio.
Band, Percussion
The Halls High School Marching Band, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a long-standing and award-winning program known as the Marching Red Devil Band. The band has a history dating back to 1949 and has earned numerous awards over the decades.
Program overview
-
Established: The band was founded in 1949 and has since built a large network of alumni.
-
Directors: As of 2025, Eric Baumgardner serves as the band director. The assistant director is Mrs. Britney Christie.
-
Performance groups: In addition to the Marching Band, the program includes a variety of ensembles, such as:
-
Symphonic Band
-
Wind Ensemble
-
Jazz Band
-
Color Guard
-
Winter Guard
-
Indoor Percussion Ensemble
-
Accomplishments and recognition
-
The band has received accolades nationwide, with 89 awards cited in a 2019 report.
-
Members of the program are known for achieving high marks academically, earning college scholarships, and volunteering in the community.
-
A strong network of alumni, parents, and boosters provides significant support for the program's activities and fundraising efforts.
-
The band's 2025 competitive show was titled Dream, Explore, Discover!
Community involvement
The band's community engagement includes fundraising through initiatives such as working concession stands at University of Tennessee football games, with a portion of the proceeds going to the band program.
The Halls High School Symphonic Band is a prominent high school band ensemble from Knoxville, Tennessee, known for its exceptional musical performances and commitment to excellence. As part of Halls High School in the Knox County School District, the Symphonic Band is typically composed of talented student musicians from various grade levels, who demonstrate advanced skill and musicianship.
The band is often involved in a variety of performances, including concerts, competitions, and festivals, where they showcase a broad repertoire that spans classical, contemporary, and popular works. Their performances are frequently highlighted by their precision, tone, and dynamic range.
Halls High School's music program, which includes the Symphonic Band as one of its cornerstone ensembles, has earned recognition in the community for providing students with opportunities to develop their musical abilities while also fostering teamwork, discipline, and creative expression.
The Symphonic Band may also participate in regional or state competitions and events like the Tennessee Bandmasters Association (TBA) festivals, as well as district and state concert band assessments. These events serve as a platform for the students to compete at a high level, learn from professionals, and grow as musicians.
In addition to performing, the band often collaborates with other school music groups, including the concert bands, jazz band, and even marching band, contributing to a well-rounded music education for all members.
The Halls High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble is a scholastic percussion program from Knoxville, Tennessee, and a consistent competitor in the Winter Guard International (WGI) circuit. Known as the "Halls Drumline," the ensemble has a long history of competitive success, including being a multi-time WGI World Championships finalist.
Competitive Highlights
-
WGI World Championships finalist: The ensemble has advanced to the finals of the WGI World Championships multiple times, including its fifth trip to the event in 2019.
-
Regional success: Halls is a multi-time champion in regional circuits, such as the East Tennessee Performing Arts Association (ETPAA).
-
The ensemble took second place at an ETPAA qualifier at Lakeway High School in 2024.
-
-
Recent competitions: Halls competed at the WGI Percussion Indianapolis Regional in March 2025.
Activities and Program Details
-
Rehearsals: In addition to competing, the ensemble holds intensive "marathon" performance days to refine their skills and raise money for their season. In 2019, the group held a 12-hour rehearsal day to prepare for the WGI World Championships.
-
Community involvement: As part of the larger Halls High School band program, the indoor percussion ensemble participates in fundraising events and maintains a strong community presence.
-
Show announcements: The ensemble frequently uses social media to announce and promote its upcoming shows. For the 2025 season, the ensemble's program was titled "Statuesque".
Eric Baumgarder, Band Director
Eric Baumgardner oversees the different ensembles of the Halls High Band program including the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Drumline, Winterguard and small groups. The Halls High Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Indoor Percussion Ensemble have consistently received superior ratings and have been WGI Finalists at Regional, Super Regionals and World Championships. Prior to being appointed as Director of Bands at Halls High School, he served as the assistant director at Halls High School and South-Doyle Middle and High Schools
While attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education. Mr. Baumgardner studied with Professor Micheal Combs, Keith Brown, Bob Adamcik, Andy Adzima, Don Hough, Gary Spearl and Tim Paul.
He was blessed to study conducting with Dr. WJ Julian in his last year before he retired!
He performed with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, KSO Chamber Orchestra, UT Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Studio Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Marimba Quartet, Steel Drum Band, Jazz Ensembles, the Pride of the Southland Marching Band.
Mr. Baumgardner also hosted the Yamaha Sounds of Summer Percussion Camp with Rush’s Music for 15 years with many noted artists as Tom Aungst, Mike Macintosh, Cif Walker, James Campbell, Bret Kuhn, Jim Yakas, Matt & Amy Savage, to name a few. This event hosted over a thousand percussion students throughout that time.
Mr. “B”, as his students refer to him, is a member of ETSBOA, TMEA, NAfME, PAS, and Phi Beta Mu. Baumgardner served as a Junior Clinic Clinician for ETSBOA 3 times and has served as one of the percussion coordinators for the All-East Band Clinic. Baumgardner received the National Band Association Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence twice in his career. He was selected as Teacher of the Year at Halls High School twice and SBO Magazine Fifty Directors Who Make a Difference in 2013 and 2024.
He currently resides in Halls with his wife Donna, son Parker and Gus the cat.
Under his leadership, the Halls Band has earned:
- 6 Contest of Champions Finalist at MTSU
- 3 Finalist and 1 Semi-Finalist at the WGI World Championships in Percussion
- 7 Tennessee BandMasters Sweepstakes Award Winner for Marching and Symphonic Band
- 18 Superior Ratings at the East Tennessee Band & Orchestra Association Concert Assessment
- 25+ Grand Champion Marching Band Awards from 2004-2025
Guard
The Halls High School Winter Guard is a competitive indoor color guard based in Halls Crossroads, a suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee. A component of the larger Halls High School band program, the Winter Guard is known for its competitive achievements and strong community support.
Team Overview
-
Affiliation: The Winter Guard operates as an extension of the Halls High School band, providing students with an indoor competitive performance outlet during the band's off-season.
-
Auditions: Membership is typically determined by an audition or director's invitation. The season runs from approximately November through April.
-
Performance style: The group performs indoors to recorded music, combining dance and interpretive movement with the skilled use of equipment such as flags, sabers, and mock rifles.
Recent Competitive Highlights
-
2025 season: The Winter Guard finished its season on a high note, with the main ensemble placing third in the Scholastic Regional A (SRA) group 2 at the East Tennessee Performing Arts Association (ETPAA) Championships.
-
Early 2025 results: Earlier in the 2025 season, the team secured a 1st place finish in their class during a competition in March. A duet also placed 2nd at the same event.
-
2022 season: The Halls High School Winter Guard competed successfully in the 2022 season, with strong support from the larger band program.
Britney Christie, Assistant Band Director
Theatre
The Halls High School Theatre Program gives students hands-on experience in all aspects of theatrical production. Students enroll in the class to be part of the play, participating in 1–2 productions each year. From acting and set design to costumes and lighting, students take on every role—except director—gaining valuable skills in collaboration, creativity, and stagecraft.
Devyn Georgopoulos, Theatre Director
Devyn Georgopoulous serves as the Theatre Director at Halls High School, bringing eight years of teaching experience in English. Passionate about storytelling and performance, Devyn guides students in developing their skills on stage while fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence. Under Devyn’s direction, students explore all aspects of theatre production, from acting to stagecraft, preparing them for both academic and artistic success.