Garrard County High School proudly hosted the inaugural Garrard County Invitational on Saturday, September 20, 2025, bringing together over 2,000 attendees, including competing bands, spectators, volunteers, staff, and student workers. The event was a celebration of music, community, and the incredible talent of our students.
Seventeen bands from across the state performed at the competition, with Garrard County High School’s own Marching Band performing their show, Flipped, in exhibition to conclude the night’s performances. Judges for the event included Kristen Eck, Michael Pote, Bryen Warfield, and Michal Mather for music; Jim Idol, Mark Culp, and Michele Bowers for visual performance; Riley Haynes for color guard; and Robbie Arnold serving as Chief Judge.
Awards were presented following the performances, with band members, alumni, sponsors, school and district staff taking part in the celebration. Dr. Stull, Superintendent of Garrard County Schools, presented the Champion Award to the top performing band.
GCHS Band Director Jordan Humphress shared:
"We had an unforgettable Saturday for our inaugural Garrard County Band Contest!
From start to finish, the event was nothing short of amazing—and it would not have been possible without the incredible support of our entire band family and community. Our students worked so hard both on and off the field, our parents gave their time and energy to make sure every detail was covered, and our administrators were truly in the trenches with us—helping everywhere from concessions to logistics. Your dedication and teamwork made this day shine.
We also want to thank our ROTC and FFA programs for stepping up in a big way to assist with parking and transportation. Your help was essential and so appreciated.
To our Garrard County staff, parents, band alumni, local churches, and community volunteers—you went above and beyond, and we are deeply grateful for every ounce of effort you gave. This contest truly took a village, and we couldn’t have asked for a better one!
A very special thank you to the 16 visiting bands who chose to be part of our very first contest! We congratulate each of you on your outstanding performances and are honored you spent the day with us.
This is just the beginning, and we are so excited to continue hosting this contest for years to come. Thank you, Garrard County, for making this event possible!
Now we set our sights on what’s next—with great excitement we look forward to performing at BOA Louisville this upcoming Saturday!"*
Assistant Band Director Noel Green added:
"What a great showcase for our school and community! I've always believed and told everyone how special this place is, but to let people see it firsthand was amazing. I’m so proud of all of us and what we can accomplish when we work together and raise each other up!"
The sixteen visiting bands showcased outstanding performances across multiple classifications, including:
Campbellsville High School – Horizon’s Edge
Casey County – Distorted
Danville – With Imagination
Powell County – Tangled in Strings
Somerset – Bachtallica
Washington County – Gone Away
Corbin – Headspace
Hart County – On Edge
Rockcastle County – Find Home Again
Wayne County – Threaded Fates
Boyle County – De La Rosa
Anderson County – Bird’s-Eye View
Madison Southern – Breakthrough
Woodford County – Petal to the Metal
George Rogers Clark – The Ring of Enchantment
Tates Creek – Home
Principal Michael Anderson concluded:
"Saturday night was a true celebration of our students’ talent, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our parents, staff, and student organizations. Everyone came together to make this inaugural event an incredible success, and I couldn’t be prouder of our community."
Garrard County High School looks forward to continuing this tradition and is excited to showcase the talents of our students and community for years to come.