Marching Giants Perform During the First Home Game of the Season

On Friday, August 26, Pike vs Ben Davis was the first home football game of the season. Fans were ready for some football because the stands were filled from one end zone to the other. During the half-time show, the Marching Giants performed for the packed stands. The show starts out with low music as the members march onto the field. All is quite from the stands as the announcer welcomes the Marching Giants to perform. The crowd welcomes the Giants with a huge round of applause. The Marching Giants proudly present their show entitled “The Tables Have Turned”. During the week, the members had learned additional charts as they continue to add to their show. It was evident, as the members extend their previous presentation to include additional music, marching, and body movement. When the performance was over, the crowd was on their feet cheering for the incredible performance of their Marching Giants. Each member of the band is grateful for the fans in the stands and appreciates their presents during each of their performances. Thanks to everyone present for their support.

Your next chance to see the Marching Giants on the field will be Friday, September 9, when the Warren Central Warriors take on the Ben Davis Giants. You won’t want to miss the half-time show to see that “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
  August 31, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 1, Section Pictures, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
  September 1, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  September 2, Picture Day during School
  September 5, No Practice – Enjoy your Labor Day
  September 6, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 7, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 7, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm

Meetings:
  September 6, Booster Meeting, 7 pm

12th Annual 2011 Peyback Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium

The 12th Annual Peyback Classic was held at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, August 20. The Marching Giants were present for their half-time show. However, their day began at 8:00 am for the members of the band. The Marching Giants arrived early to school for practice. The band was able to get time on the Ben Davis field to tweak their show. Before leaving for the Stadium, the band members were treated to a pizza dinner served to them by band boosters. Once dinner was finished, the members put on their new uniforms, for the first time this season, loaded the eight buses required to transport the massive band, and rode to Lucas Oil Stadium. The members filed into their seats to support the Giants football team on the field by playing the school fight song and others songs to entertain during time outs. Finally, the time had arrived for the members to leave the stands and prepare themselves for their half-time show.


The members lined themselves in the end zone and waited for the moment to arrive to step out onto the field. The low sounds of the bari sax starts the show as guard members are pushed onto the field atop their tables while the band members march out to take their place on the field. The crowded stands cheer and shout as the band present their show, “The Tables Have Turned”. Flags, swords, and sabers are spun by the guard members while the band plays their original score. Band members move from one side of the field to the other playing and presenting body movement to the beat of the music. The show was a big hit evident of the crowd on their feet cheering and clapping as the members completed their show. The Marching Giants have started the season off on an awesome start!

Your next chance to see the Marching Giants on the field will be Friday, August 26, when the Pike Red Devils take on the Ben Davis Giants at the first home game of the season. Don’t miss the half-time show during this game to see “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:
Performance:
  August 26, Ben Davis Stadium, Call Time, 5 pm
Practice:
  August 24, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  August 24, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm
  August 25, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30
  August 27, Full Band 8 am to 4:30 pm
  August 27, Picnic, Band Olympics, Bon Fire – 5 to 9 pm
  August 29, Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
  August 30, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
  August 31, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  August 31, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm

Pictured:  Senior, Eddie Moore

Marching Giants Host Car Wash to Raise Funds for Tournment of Roses Parade

While the Marching Giants will not leave until December for the Tournament of Roses Parade, fundraisers have been underway since last season to help offset the cost of the trip.  This past weekend found the members divided into five different groups and as many different locations for a “Car-Wash-A-Thon”.  The Car-Wash-A-Thon allowed the members to take pledges from family and friends.  Dave Cole, assistant band director, stated, “The idea is to solicit help from not only local donors but out of town family, friends, and fans that may not be able to support our ongoing fundraisers.  100% of the money raised in this event will benefit each member’s individual account.”

The members would like to thank all five locations for allowing the use their facilities.  They are:  K-Mart on Washington Street, M & I Bank at 10^th and High School Road, Dairy Queen on Rockville Road, Dog ‘n Suds on West 10^th Street, and Auto Zone at Rockville Road and Country Club.  Without their generosity; our car wash would not have been a success.  In all, the members washed 328 cars and 1 semi-truck in five hours. Thank you to all the members, parents, and supporters of the band for a successful day.

Don’t miss the Marching Giants this Saturday, August 20, as they take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium during the half-time show at the annual PeyBack Classic.  Come support the Marching Giants as they present their show “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:

  Performance:

        August 20, Lucas Oil Stadium, Kick-off, 7 pm

  Practice:

        August 17, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

        August 17, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm

        August 18, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30

        August 22, Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm

        August 23, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm

        August 24, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

        August 24, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm

Photo courtesy of: Dave Cole, assistant band director

Richard Jackson, Tournament of Roses Parade President, Visits Ben Davis

Did you know the Ben Davis Marching Giants will be in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday, January 2, 2012? The President of The Tournament of Roses Parade, Richard Jackson and his wife, Sharon, came to Ben Davis on Friday, July 29, during the annual Ice Cream Social, to present John Papandria, band director, and the band members with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses flag; making the invitation to the parade official.


The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of the largest televised parades in the US and is considered to be one of the most prestigious events for a band to march and perform in. Around 70 – 80 bands applied last year to participate in the 2012 parade. Ben Davis was one of 21 bands to be selected from around the world to participate. When selecting a band, Mr. Jackson said, “He looks for musicality, sharp marching skills and showmanship.” Ben Davis proved they had these qualities in the DVD that was sent to the Music Committee last year. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have the final say as to the bands that make it into the parade. This will be Ben Davis’s seventh appearance; more than any other school outside of California. Bands from Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Sweden, and the US make up the 21 bands marching in the parade.

While Mr. Jackson was at Ben Davis, he was able to see the first part of the show, entitled “The Tables Have Turned”. The members had practiced the past two weeks to present the first 44 charts of the show. While the two full weeks of practice takes a lot out of the students, they can be proud their efforts and performance last Friday. Job well done!

This exciting season has just started. You have many chances to see the Marching Giants perform their show; you won’t want to miss a one!

Upcoming events:
  Practice:
    August 3, Drum Camp, 1 to 4 pm
    August 3, Full Band, 5 to 9 pm
    August 4, Full Band, 5 to 9 pm
    August 8, Full Band, 1 to 4 pm and 5 to 9 pm
    August 9, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm