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The Starr's Mill High School band marched away with the biggest trophy Saturday night at the 23rd Annual LaFayette Marching Classic at Fayette County High School.

Three Fayette County schools (Starr's Mill, Sandy Creek and Whitewater) all qualified for the elite eight "Championship Finals" round of the contest Saturday night, hosted since 1982 by the Fayette County High Band Boosters.

But it was Starr's Mill's performance of music from "West Side Story" that came out solidly on top in the end, winning the Gold Grand Champion award. Starr's Mill's finals score from six judges was a 94.8, well ahead of second-place finisher Paulding County with a 93.17. East Coweta High finished third with a 92.13.

In addition to the Grand Champion title, Starr's Mill won the award for highest music score of the evening, and tied with Paulding for highest visual score. Paulding won the trophy for highest visual effect score.

North Cobb High School's "Pirates of the Caribbean" finished fourth overall, while Brookwood High of Snellville was fifth. Mt. Zion High School of Carroll County came in 6th, followed by Sandy Creek in 7th and Whitewater in 8th.

In the preliminary rounds of the contest held Saturday afternoon, Sandy Creek placed first in the AAA division while Whitewater was second. Mitchell-Baker High School of Camilla came in third.

Whitewater won first place trophies for Best Percussion and Best Drum Major, while Sandy Creek had the Best Color Guard among AAA bands.

In the Open Class, Starr's Mill placed first among bands in the prelims, followed by Paulding in second and North Cobb in third. Starr's Mill also placed third for drum major.

As host band for the contest, the Fayette County High Marching Tigers didn't compete, but they did perform their award-winning 2004 show "Car Tunes" in exhibition at the end of the night's performances, recieving an extended standing ovation from the full house at Tiger Stadium.

Regina Conner, chairperson for the 2004 LaFayette Classic, said she couldn't have asked for a smoother festival and credited the hard work of FCHS Band Booster parents and students for the success.

The contest is a major fundraiser for the Tiger Band, which now turns its attention to getting ready to march in the New Year's Day Parade in London Jan. 1.