South Jersey Band:
Overbrook Jazz Band is #1 in the State of New Jersey

Saturday, May 1, 2004

By Gregg Williams
SJSports Staff Writer

The #1 Jazz Band in the State of New Jersey is Overbrook High School from Pine Hill, NJ. As impressive, in March, they also won 1st place in the East Coast Jazz Festival at Berkley University in Boston (the largest HS jazz festival in the country).

Overbrook High School Jazz Band won Best Jazz Band in the state on April 23. Rob Fox, trombonist from Overbrook, received the Best Soloist Award in the whole state of NJ. The band carries 21 members, 13 who went through Berlin Township Schools’ music program. Everyone from Berlin Twp. had a part in this success. From the teachers that supported these students - allowing them to leave classes for lessons, practices, concerts, etc. - to Mrs. Schwab and the other music teachers for guiding them through their musical experiences - the administration and board for approving and supporting the music programs in the past - and the parents who have supported the music programs.

Bill Conn, Sr., father of Bill Jr., one of the best saxophonists in NJ, was very proud of the students and has always stated that one of Berlin Township's mottos should be "Where Music Begins”. Let’s continue to “KEEP MUSIC ALIVE IN ALL SCHOOLS”.

Photos by Michele Roemer