June 2017   |   89 

Cindy & Glen Townley 

Jordon Hay, Hayley Brock, Mandy Celis & Kaleb Wiggins 

Stacey Winburn & Keewaju Morris 

Evan Stojak, Tre Roehrig & Canon Hutchens 

Sherry Rockwell & Maureen Leonard

JAZZ

  in the park

photos & story by

Kristina Wright

   VIP Destin at Fort Walton Beach Landing Park

O

n Saturday, May 6, the Playground Music Center hosted 
Jazz in the Park at the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park. 
The event was held to showcase all the hard work the 
students in Destin and surrounding areas have put into 

their musical training this year. Each ensemble took the stage and 
demonstrated their knowledge by performing several pieces while 
under supervision of their instructor.

 Volunteers set up concession stands that offered grilled burgers, 

Nathan’s hot dogs, and a few other tasty treats for the day’s festivities. 
Everyone was invited to bring chairs, blankets, and plenty of water to 
enjoy the day. Even the furry friends were welcome! 

The students played 30 minute sets, and included classes from the 

following schools: Destin Middle, Fort Walton Beach High, Pryor 
Middle, Meigs Middle, Choctawhatchee High, two classes from 
Tate High, Niceville High, Lewis Middle, Niceville Too, Pace High, 
Ruckel Middle, Crestview High, Fairview Middle, Leon High, and 
Rickards High. 

The Playground Music Center is located in Mary Esther and 

has been in operation since 1962. The center provides school band 
rentals, offers music lessons, and has almost any instrument a 
student could want in stock for purchase. They are also authorized 
dealers for Fender, Jackson, Yamaha, Sonor, Ludwig, Casio, Line 
6, Digitech, Taylor Guitars, LeBlanc, Cannonball, Conn-Selmer, 
Latin Percussion, Evans, Pearl Drums and hundreds more quality 
manufacturers.

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5/23/17   11:57 AM