Winter Guard Prepares for First Competition

60 students signed up, 45 students showed up, and 35 students make-up the Varsity and JV Winter Guard units. Per wgi.org, Winter Guard is defined as, “[An] exciting world of performance and entertainment; a place where pageantry involves an array of equipment, movement, and skill. Winter Guard creates friendships, talents, and standards of excellence, while fostering an environment where young men and women can grow, laugh, learn, and meet challenges as a group.” Unit’s use dance, flags, sabers, mock rifles and other movements to interpret music just like they would during the Fall marching season; but in this case, they perform in High School and College gymnasiums without the marching band. Instead, units use recorded music; and in most cases, the songs are top 40 songs. Both Ben Davis units are currently practicing for their 1st competition scheduled on January 29, 2011, at Danville HS.

Upcoming events:

December 17, 6 pm to 9 pm, JV Winter Guard
December 18, 9 am to 1 pm, JV Winter Guard
December 18, 9 am to 5 pm, Varsity Winter Guard
December 20 to 24, No Practices

Happy Holidays to all from the Ben Davis Marching Giants

1st Annual Marching Band Banquet

Best Section – Flute Section

Monday, November 30, was the scene of the 1st Annual Marching Band Banquet. How could it be the 1st, you ask? In the past, the Band would hold one banquet for all the bands in May. Starting 2010, the Marching Band held their banquet at the end of the marching season. The following students received awards.

Student Voted Awards

Outstanding Freshman Female - Grace Ishikawa
Outstanding Freshman Male - Kevin Salinas
Outstanding Sophomore Female - Kelsey Mendenhall
Outstanding Sophomore Male - Tyler Blythe
Outstanding Junior Female - Gigi Cabello
Outstanding Junior Male - Yusuf Agunbiade
Outstanding Senior Female - Ejiela Agi
Outstanding Senior Male - Matthew Pena

Department Awards

Most Improved Section – Front Ensemble
Best Section – Flute Section
Outstanding Brass Musician – Ricky Button
Outstanding Woodwind Musician – Matt Pena
Outstanding Battery Musician - Demetric Taylor
Outstanding Front Ensemble Musician - Kristin Marvel
Outstanding Sabre - Darian Rodeghier
Outstanding Rifle - Kara McKinney
Outstanding Flag - Olivia Peavler
Outstanding First Year Guard Member - Kimberly Sharp
Outstanding Guard Member – Garrett Statzer
Director’s Award - Tomiwa Awobayiku, Devonte Holloway, Joe Stovall, Cielo Lucio
Outstanding First Year Band Member - Jaden Sheppherd, Tayler Bennett, Benito Hernandez, Amberly Epler
Spirit of Achievement Award - Jevon Robinson
Arrive Early/Stay Late Award – Matt Pena, Ricky Button
Mr. Choreography - Tyler Blythe, Eric Ehizokhale
Miss Choreography - Kelsey Mendenhall, Makayla Jordan
Mr. Feet – Eric Flick
Miss Feet – Destiny Allen
Drum Major Award – Gigi Cabello, *Meranda McKinney, Nicole Moore, *Hannah Ishikawa
  * = Received Senior Drum Major Awards
Miss Marching Giant – Anna Daily

Congratulations to all recipients for a job well done! Thanks to all for a great marching season.

Upcoming events:
December 10, 6 to 9, JV Winter Guard
December 11, 1 to 9 pm, Varsity Winter Guard
December 13, 6 to 9 pm, Varsity Winter Guard
December 14, 6 to 9, JV Winter Guard and Winter Percussion
December 14, 6 to 8:30, Varsity Winter Guard

Performance:
December 11, 12 pm call time, Pep Band

Pep Band Season Begins

While most people were preparing for their Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, November 24, the Giants Pep Band began their season by bringing music to the Girls Varsity Basketball game. The Pep Band season has begun! The Pep Band is an ensemble of instruments that play at 10 of the home basketball games to entertain the crowd. The band opened the evening with the playing of our National Anthem. They continued to fill the gymnasium with songs during time-outs and half-time. Some selections include, the Giants Fight Song, Crazy Train, Hey Baby ( I wanna know), and many more. The Giants enjoy bringing music to all in attendance. Come hear the Pep Band during the Boys Basketball game on Friday, December 3rd.

Upcoming events:
December 2, 6 to 9, Winter Percussion and Winter Guard
December 4, 12 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion
December 4, 12 to 4 pm, Winter Guard
December 6, 6 to 9, Winter Guard
December 7, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion and Winter Guard

Performance:
December 3, 7 pm, Pep Band
December 7, 6 pm, Jazz Band at Harrison

Booster Meeting:
December 7, 7 pm, Officer Elections