The Friday Harbor High School Concert Band won the 2008 Cruise Festival Overall Grand Championship Award for Concert Band Class AA, based on its performance during the cruise festival season onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise lines.

April 6-11, the band, under the direction of Janet Olsen, participated in the Bermuda Cruise Festival onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s “Explorer of the Seas.”

In addition to earning a “superior” rating, the concert band was also entered into competition against other concert bands that participated in one of more than 50 other cruise festivals, which took place from January to the end of May.

After the conclusion of the final festival, all scores were combined to determine the overall highest scoring groups in each class and category from all of the festivals.

Music Festivals, the national sponsor of this event, declared Friday Harbor High School’s band the winner.

“This award signifies the highest score overall in this category from all of the 2008 Cruise Festivals,” Music Festivals President Dennis Rhoads said. “All of the staff at Music Festivals extends our congratulations to the director and all the members of this outstanding concert band. The hard work and dedication that you displayed was exemplary and every member of your community, your parents, families and friends have every reason to be extremely proud of your accomplishments.

“Congratulations on receiving this prestigious award.”