Garfield Grabs Music Contest's Top Trophies

It was a thrilling sweep for the Garfield musicians who participated in the annual “Music in the Parks” festival at Cedar Point on May 15. The Jazz Band, Concert Band and Strolling Strings from Garfield all came out on top in their categories, each earning a Superior rating and placing first in their divisions. Each also was awarded the “Best Overall” trophy for their category. The Garfield Choir also performed well, finishing third in their division.

The Jazz Band edged out Rocky River Middle School by .15 points. Other schools the bands competed against were Lakewood Catholic Academy, Beachwood Middle School, Cuyahoga Heights Middle School and Shrine Catholic Academy.

“These kids were so pumped. It’s really great because they worked so hard all year,” said band director Julie Tabaj.

The judges were effusive with their praise for the musical groups. “One of the best junior high string groups I’ve ever heard,” remarked one judge about the Strolling Strings. Remarks from a judge for the Concert Band division said the group was “an exceptional middle school band.”

The Strolling Strings group is directed by Patty Perec and the choir was led by Peter Hampton, who is substituting for choir director Lisa Hanson while she is on maternity leave.

The students celebrated their victories with a full day of rides at the amusement park following the contest.

Lakwood's other middle school, Harding, was scheduled to perform at the “Music in the Parks” contest on May 29, after this paper's deadline. Please check the next Observer issue for those results.