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Alpharetta Indoor Percussion Wins World Championship in Historic National Debut
Alpharetta Indoor Percussion gets Raider Nation recognized on the world stage.
Alpharetta High School’s Indoor Percussion ensemble brought home a world championship on April 17, 2026, winning the Winter Guard International Percussion Scholastic A World Championship during the group’s first-ever appearance at the national competition.
The Raiders earned a 97.850 score for their 2026 production, “To Listen is to Love,” at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, marking the second-highest score ever recorded in the division’s history.
The championship is a milestone for the Alpharetta High School music program, especially for an ensemble founded just seven years ago.
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“This is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for our students, staff, and program,” said Todd Manson, director of bands at Alpharetta High School. “To step onto WGI’s world stage for the very first time and leave as world champions is simply incredible. We could not be prouder of our students, staff, parents, and community.”
The world title caps off another successful season for the program. Earlier this year, Alpharetta Indoor Percussion was named the 2026 Georgia Indoor Percussion Association Class A State Champion, giving the Raiders their fifth consecutive state championship.
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Percussion director and designer Matthew Howell said the win reflects the dedication and support of the school community.
“This championship belongs to every person who invested in these students,” Howell said. “From our performers, staff, and designers to our parents, boosters, volunteers, school administration, and the entire Alpharetta High School community, it truly takes a village.”
The Winter Guard International World Championships is considered the highest level of competition for indoor percussion ensembles worldwide, making Alpharetta’s first-year win an extraordinary accomplishment.
The championship performance places Alpharetta High School among the nation’s elite percussion programs and marks a proud moment for the school and the greater Alpharetta community.
