Varsity Winter Guard and Winter Percussion compete in State Competition

The Ben Davis Varsity Winter Guard unit traveled to Center Grove HS to compete in State Finals on Saturday, March 19. After being one of 16 schools to advance during preliminary rounds last Saturday, the Varsity unit competed against these top 16 schools from around the state. Ben Davis would be the 10th school in the line-up to compete Saturday afternoon. More changes were incorporated into the show and the crowd’s response was “Wow!”. Guard member Garrett Starzer, drops a silver sphere or “star” above the other members at the start of their show. He moves the sphere around and impresses the crowd with this visual affect. The sphere makes a return at the end of their show as Garrett again displays the “star” above Darian Rodeghier in the final scene.

Full retreat would not begin until 7:30 pm; so, the members were able to relax and enjoy the rest of the units in Classes A, Open and World competition. Full retreat finds all the units present dressed in full uniform, lined-up in the gymnasium in front of the packed stands, for the awards presentation. Scores and places are announced for all units present. Ben Davis finished 8th; and once again, increased their score; by almost 2 points.

The season isn’t over yet, Ben Davis will compete in WGI 2011 Winter Guard World Championships April 7 - 9. Congratulations on the 8th place in the State and Good Luck at WGI.

Winter Percussion also competed in State Finals on Saturday, March 19, at Ben Davis HS finishing 3rd and earning a Bronze Medal in the World Concert Class. Congratulations Winter Percussion. Thanks to all the volunteers who made the event at Ben Davis a huge success!

Upcoming events:
Practice:
March 23, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony
March 24, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Guard
March 18, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion
March 31 - April 2, 9 am to 5 pm, Winter Guard
April 4 - 5, 6 - 9 pm, Winter Guard
April 6, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony

Varsity Competes in State Preliminaries

The Ben Davis Varsity Winter Guard unit traveled to Decatur Central HS to compete in State Preliminaries on Saturday, March 12. 28 schools from around the state competed in 4 rounds of competition. Each round had 7 schools competing; with the top four scores moving on to State next weekend. Ben Davis was the first school in round two to compete; and if members of the audience had seen a previous competition, they found the directors had changed the version of the song for this performance. The unit still performed to “Cosmic Love”, by Florence and the Machine; but the beginning of the song was now an acoustic version. The tempo was the same but the version was a little sultrier; that is until the unit gets to the flag feature, and the music returns to the electric version with a faster pace. Judging from the crowd’s reaction, they enjoyed the change in the version of the song. Scores were posted after each round; so, Ben Davis did not have to wait long to find out if they would be moving on to State Finals. Ben Davis came in 2nd with another high score of the season, scoring 80.20; finishing 7th overall. The unit will perform at State Competition on Saturday, April 19, at Center Grove High School at 2:12 pm.

Winter Percussion also competed in State Preliminaries on Saturday, March 12, at Avon HS finishing 4th in their class allowing them to move on to State Finals this Saturday at Ben Davis HS with a performance time of 6:57 pm.

Last week, the Junior Varsity competed in Divisional finals and finished 6th in the State. Congratulations to the Junior Varsity Unit.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
March 16, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony
March 17, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion & Varsity Guard
March 18, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion
March 21 & 22, 6 to 9 pm, Varsity Guard
March 23, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony

Competition:
March 19, 6:57 pm, Winter Percussion, State Finals at Ben Davis HS
March 19, 2:12 pm, Varsity Winter Guard, State Final at Center Grove HS

Junior Varsity Finish Season with a Gold Rating

The Ben Davis Junior Varsity Winter Guard unit finishes their season at Mooresville HS during Divisional Finals on Saturday, March 5. Divisional Finals are equivocated to State competition for the Junior Varsity unit. 37 schools from across the state competed for the top five units. Ben Davis would perform at 1:06 pm to many family members in the stands. The guard had a flawless performance; not one drop of the rifles or flags. The members had given their best performance of the season; but they would have to wait until 6:00 pm to find out their results. This would give the members time to see other schools as they presented their shows. At 6:00 pm the members participated in full retreat. Full retreat brings all members from the 37 schools to the floor of the gymnasium for awards. Many of the units carry flowers for this colorful presentation including our own Ben Davis unit. The units are first presented with their ratings. Ben Davis was one of only 12 units to achieve a Gold rating; this meant they were in the top 12 units of the day. Their score had improved by 2 points from their previous show and finished 2nd in their round. They have put in many hours of practice, travel and performance time this 2011 season; and everyone involved with the unit are very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to next season. Thanks for a GREAT season JV.

Varsity Winter Guard travelled to Dayton, OH for WGI Regional’s. Ben Davis finished 2nd in their round on Saturday; but would have to wait until later in the evening to find out if they would be one of the 11 units to advance to finals on Sunday. During the awards ceremony, 24 schools from six states waited for their name to be called. Ben Davis was among the 11 schools moving to finals. The unit would perform at 9:24 am. At the performance on Sunday, parents of the members were in tears as the unit finished their best performance of the season. Later in the afternoon, the Varsity unit found they had finished 9th and had scored their highest marks of the season. Everyone present was very proud of the unit as they continue to improve each week. Next week will find the Varsity unit at Decatur Central HS for State semi-finals. The unit performs at 12:12 pm; stop by and see what the members have been working so hard on this season.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
March 9, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony
March 10, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion & Varsity Guard
March 14, 6 to 9 pm, Varsity Guard
March 15, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion & Varsity Guard
March 16, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony

Competition:
March 11 – 12, All-State Band
March 12, Winter Percussion, State Prelims at Avon HS
March 12, Varsity Winter Guard, State Prelims at Decatur Central HS

Winter Guard heads to Greenfield Central

Rachel, Diana, Jeanlle

Kayla, Garrett, Shelby

Both Winter Guard units headed out to Greenfield Central Saturday, February 26, to compete in their respected Classes. During last week’s practice, guard director, Katie Townsend, tweaked their show; and this would be the first time most in the stands would see the updates to the performance. As the unit takes the floor, the crowd waited in anticipation for the music to begin and show to start. Finally, the announcer calls out, “Is the guard ready?” This is the cue for the Junior Varsity to perform their show “Halo” to the packed gymnasium. As the dancers start the show from the far left corner, Shawndale Walls, begins to spin his flag in the bottom right corner. The crowd screams in excitement. The unit finishes their show with their flag feature; once again getting the crowd excited since all 15 members have flags spinning and flying in the air. During the awards presentation, Class AA is presented with either a Gold, Silver, or Bronze rating. Ben Davis received a Gold rating; only one of six units to achieve this. Overall, the unit finished sixth out of 21 units. Great job!

Later in the evening, the Varsity unit took the floor to perform their show “Star Struck” to music “Cosmic Love” by Florence and the Machine. Varsity had also worked on changes in their show during practice last week. The show begins with all members in a circle around Garrett Statzer rises up in the air. The members dance around and move to the outer perimeter of their tarp. Kayla Coe picks up a rifle and throws it to Garrett where he catches it and toss it in the air bring cheers from the crowd. The show finishes with the members forming a star while laying on the floor with Garrett Statzer and Darin Rodeghier pointing to the skies as the music concludes. The crowd whoops and hollers for this awesome performance. The unit would have to wait until 10:00 pm to find out results. At the awards ceremony, the Varsity received a 5th place finish, out of 16 units, and had improved their score from their previous performance. Congratulations to both units on great performances.

Next week, Varsity will perform at WGI regional in Dayton, OH and Junior Varsity will compete at Mooresville Community HS on Saturday for Divisional Finals.

Congratulations also go out the Ben Davis Winter Percussion on their 2nd place finish at Mt. Vernon HS on Saturday.

Upcoming events:

Practice:

March 2, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony

March 3, 3 to 4:15 pm, Jazz Band

March 3, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion & Varsity Guard

March 4, 6 to 9 pm, JV Guard

March 7, 6 to 9 pm, Varsity Guard

March 8, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion & Varsity Guard

March 9, 3:30 to 4:30 pm, Wind Symphony

Performance / Competition:
March 5, Ball State Jazz Festival
March 5 – 6, Varsity Winter Guard at Dayton, OH WGI
March 5, Junior Varsity Winter Guard at Moorseville