Bradley Pirkle began his 7th year as Thomson Middle School Band Director this Fall.  He graduated cum laude from Valdosta State University in Spring 2001 with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree.  Mr. Pirkle also holds a Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia.

    A graduate of Thomson High School in 1997, Mr. Pirkle was a member of the 1997 Georgia All-State Band.  As a music major at VSU, he served as the Trumpet Section Leader from 1999-2001 and was the Principle trumpet player in the VSU Wind Ensemble for two years.  As a senior, he was awarded the Phi Betu Mu Outstanding Instrumental Education Award.

    Mr. Pirkle was selected to play 1st Trumpet and performed with the 2001 International Youth Wind Orchestra (IYWO) at the WASBE Conference in Lucerne, Switzerland.  The World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) meets every two years for a convention in selected world cities.  Fifty members from 9 different countries, selected by audition, performed in the IYWO, their ages ranging from 18 - 25.