The Garden City High School Marching Band recently participated in its first official competition at the Yamaha Cup at MetLife Stadium and secured a Best Individual Music award and fourth place distinction against musicians from throughout the tristate area.
Divisions are categorized by band enrollment and Garden City was up against nine other contenders of comparable size.
“This was a great start to the Marching Band’s competitive season,” teacher Daniel DellaMonica said. “The students really left it all out on the field that day. You hear on TV about how windy the MetLife Stadium field is for the NFL kickers during a Jets or Giants game, but you don’t know how windy it is until you are out there. The Color Guard and band were able to push through this and still perform at a high-level.”
“It was really amazing to perform in such a big stadium,” Senior Drum Major Mary Grlic said. “I am so proud of everyone for our best show yet. I have loved seeing the band grow so far and I can’t wait for what we’re going to do next.”
A week later, the marching band performed during Garden City’s homecoming celebrations. Members brought energy to the bleachers throughout the football game and presented an outstanding halftime show. They also performed and marched in the parade and shared their talents at the high school pep rally and elementary school festivities. Approximately 150 of the district’s elementary and middle school band students and their family members accepted the invitation to join the high school musicians in the center bleachers during the game. They enjoyed sitting next to high school students who are skilled in the instruments that they are learning and received gift bags afterwards. Students also had opportunities to learn color guard flag technique taught by the color guard coach and students.
“We are so proud of our amazing marching band,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha said. “They persevered throughout the challenges of the last year and a half, and their energy and effort is paying off. Congratulations on their well-deserved recognitions.”
Any Garden City Middle School students who would like to join the marching band can email Mr. DellaMonica at dellamonicad@gcufsd.net. They will have the opportunity in April/May, for the 2022 fall season.
—Submitted by Garden City Public Schools
