Eighth Grade Band, Late Night Jazz Take 'Best Overall' Honors at Music Festival

On Saturday, May 4, the eighth grade band, under the direction of Mrs. Martha Boonshaft, and Late Night Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Jennifer Iovino, competed at the Music in the Parks festival in Fleetwood, PA.

The two ensembles performed for a panel of adjudicators. Each group played a warm-up piece and two adjudicated compositions. The band received first place honors with a “Superior” rating and the “Best Overall” concert band award. The Late Night Jazz received first place honors also with a “Superior” rating and the “Best Overall” jazz ensemble award.

Of the 25 ensembles that competed, both Garden City ensembles were in a three-way tie for the highest score given at the festival. Only seven of the 25 ensembles received “Superior” ratings; Garden City took home two of the seven.   Also spotlighted was Garden City Late Night Jazz bass player, seventh grader Philip Acinapuro, for his outstanding improvised solo in the piece, “Foot Pattin’ Time.”
Philip earned the “Outstanding Jazz Soloist” award, which is given to the best jazz soloist at the festival. The bands spent the rest of the day at Dorney Park in Allentown PA. The festivities culminated with an awards ceremony held inside the park.

Ms. Iovino and Mrs. Boonshaft, along with all of the band students, would like to thank all of the administrators both in the Central Office and at Garden City Middle School. Without their support and encouragement, these standards could not be achieved. 

Submitted by the Garden City School District