Ben Davis Marching Giants to Compete in ISSMA State Competition

ISSMA Semi-State competition was held on Saturday, October 22, in four locations around the state. The Marching Giants would not travel this week because Class A competition was held at Ben Davis HS. Before competing at Semi-State, the Marching Giants had a special guest visit the high school. Don Barrett, composer, wrote the music for the Marching Giants show “The Tables Have Turned”. Don has Indiana connections; he graduated from Purdue University in 1992. (http://donbarrettmusic.com/index_main.html). Don watched the band practice Wednesday and Thursday last week at the school and the Colts Complex. As he watched and listened, he made adjustments to the score as members improved on their music for the show.

On Saturday, the top 20 bands in the state arrived at Ben Davis HS throughout the day to perform their show in hopes of being one of the top 10 bands. Ben Davis was the fifth band to perform Saturday to stands full of excited fans from one end of the stadium to the other. As the Marching Giants took the field, the crowd erupts into cheers for their “hometown” band. It was apparent the tweaks Don Barrett had helped with, during the past week, could be heard during their performance. The Marching Giants gave their best performance and could feel proud of their presentation. Since they were the fifth band to perform, the Marching Giants would have to wait approximately four hours before finding out if they would move on to State.

Once all 20 bands had presented their shows to the audience, awards were handed out. Each band received a trophy for making it in to Semi-State competition. However, only the top 10 bands, based on the six judge’s scores, can move on to State competition. Awards are presented to the bands in performance order; since Ben Davis performed fifth, they would not have to wait long to see if they had qualified. They would be the third band to make it into next weekend’s competition. Gigi Caballos, head drum major, accepted the plaque noting the Marching Giants is a ISSMA State Finalist. Congratulations on a job well done! Congratulations to all 10 bands moving on, they are (in performance order); Lawrence Central, Avon, Ben Davis, Center Grove, Carmel, Homestead, Franklin Central, Castle, Lake Central, and Penn. Next stop: Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, October 29. Ben Davis Marching Giants perform at 9:11 pm. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $18.00 for students. Come out and support YOUR Marching Giants.

Please Note: New Escort Route, The Band will leave Ben Davis at 6:30, Saturday and take the following route: Girls School to 10th Street, 10th Street to High School, High School to Sam Jones Express Way, Sam Jones Express Way to Interstate 70. Come cheer on the Marching Giants as they make their way to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Upcoming events:

   Practice:

      October 26, No Practice

      October 27, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm

      October 28, Full Band, 3:30 to 5:30 pm

      November 1, Full Band, 3:30 to 6:00 pm

      November 2, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm

Performance:

      October 29, ISSMA State Competition at Lucas Oil Stadium, 9:11 pm
      November 1, Lynhurst Concert, Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center, 7:00 pm