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

Ben Davis Continues to March toward Their Goal

ISSMA Regional competition was held on Saturday, October 15, in four locations around the state. The Marching Giants traveled to Center Grove HS in Greenwood. Competition consisted of 16 Class A schools from around the state at Center Grove. The bands compete for a Gold rating and also working to score in the top 10 schools to move on to Semi-State. The Marching Giants started their day with section breakfast followed by a morning practice at Ben Davis. Once all the equipment was loaded, lunch finished, and all members dressed in uniform, John Papandria, director of bands, speaks to the members before loading eight buses to head south to Center Grove HS. Ben Davis was the sixth school to compete Saturday evening. It was a very windy day, but the wind could not stop the Marching Giants from giving the audience a great performance. Cheers and a standing ovation were given to the Marching Giants when they finished their show.

Since 10 other bands still had to perform before awards were given out, the Marching Giants to a trip to the Greenwood Mall for dinner and a little down time. After dinner, the members return to Center Grove for awards. All 16 bands can earn a Gold rating; but the top 10 scores move on to Semi-State. Ratings and announcement of the Semi-State finalist are announced in performance order. The bands scores or placing are not announced during ISSMA competition. The directors of the schools are given this information to be used for educational purposes only. Only during State competition are the scores and places announced. The announcer lets the crowd know Ben Davis has receives a Gold rating; the presenter hands Gigi Caballos, head drum major, a trophy for this rating. Once all bands find out their rating, the top 10 bands are announced. In performance order, the following bands found they would be attending Semi-State next weekend at Ben Davis HS. Congratulations to Avon, Center Grove, Carmel, Ben Davis, Warren Central, Franklin Central, Columbus North, Castle, Brownsburg, and Lawrence Central. 10 schools from the Chesterton competition site will be at Ben Davis as well. Those 10 schools, in performance order, are Penn, Homestead, Snider, LaPorte, Northrop, Pike, Lake Central, Chesteron, Carroll, and Lafayette Jefferson.

At Semi-State 10 of the 20 bands listed above will move on to State competition held at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, October 29. Since the competition is at “Our House” Saturday, come support your Marching Giants as they continue their quest to State. Ben Davis performs at 1:52 pm.

Upcoming events:
  Practice:
    October 19, Full Band, 5:00 to 8:00 pm
    October 20, No Rehearsal – Enjoy Fall Break
    October 21, Full Band, 8:00 to 11:00 am, 1:00 to 4:30 pm
    October 22, Full Band, All Day
    October25, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm

  Performance:
    October 22, ISSMA Semi-State Competition at Ben Davis HS, 1:52 pm

Marching Giants Host Preview of Champions

This past Saturday, found the Marching Giants Hosting their own competition at Ben Davis HS. Nineteen schools from across Indiana arrived throughout the day on the Ben Davis campus to perform in the Preview of Champions, sponsored by Qdoba Restaurants. The schools are divided into four groups consisting of Class A, B, C, and D. Each class is determined by school size; not the size of the band. Class D is the smallest group, the student enrollment is 1 – 525, Class C has a student enrollment of 526 – 950, Class B will have a student enrollment of 951 – 1789, and the largest class, Class A, will have student enrollment of 1790 and up. During the Preview of Champions, Class D and C performed, each class had three schools competing for the Championship title. Congratulations to Class D Champion, Springs Valley from French Lick, IN, Class C Champion was Edgewood, from Ellettsville, IN. After a break of about an hour, Class B took the field. This class had seven schools vying for first place. All bands give a great performance; but, Goshen HS, from Goshen, IN, took the first place award. Class A bands were up next. This class, too, had seven bands competing for that first place trophy. Class A Champion was Lawrence North, from Indianapolis, IN. Ben Davis also presents a Grand Champion trophy. All bands in all classes competed for this coveted award. Congratulations go to Goshen HS from Class B. Their winning score was 82.60.

Ben Davis Marching Giants presented their show “The Tables Have Turned”, in exhibition, to packed stands. Even though the Marching Giants were not competing, the directors will still receive scores and commentary from the judges to help the members improve on their performance for future shows. The show on Saturday was awesome. The members presented their show as if they were competing. This was their best performance to date! Thanks to all students, staff and parents for making the Preview of Champions a huge success. This would not have been possible without all our wonderful volunteers.

Next week the Marching Giants continue their path to State competition as they travel to Center Grove HS for ISSMA Regional competition; performance time is 6:22 pm. But, if you are at the HS for Carmel vs Ben Davis football game, you can see the show during half-time. This is the final home game of the season and senior night. The band will honor all our seniors this evening for their years of dedication to the program. If you haven’t seen their show, stop by Friday or Saturday, you won’t be disappointed.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
  October 12, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  October 13, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  October 15, Full Band, 8:00 to 11:30, 1:00 to 3:30
  October 17, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
  October18, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
  October 19, Full Band, 6 to 9 pm

Performance:
  October 14, Carmel vs Ben Davis, call time 5 pm
  October 15, ISSMA Regional Competition at Center Grove HS, 6:22 pm

Marching Giants Start Their Way to State

168 Bands consisting of 16,000 students from across Indiana participated in ISSMA District on Saturday, October 1. District is the first competition for all bands trying to make it to Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, for State competition. Among the 168 bands was the Ben Davis Marching Giants.

The members started their day at 8:00 am for morning practice. They worked on final preparation before finishing up their morning around 11:15 am. After loading equipment, they were treated to pizza provided by the band and served up by Band Boosters. The members are grateful for the support they receive. The day would find the Marching Giants traveling only a short distance to Plainfield HS. Arriving at the competition site does not mean the members march right onto the field and perform. All competitions require the bands to go through physical and music warm-ups. Physical warm-up allows the members to work on body movement only. No music is played or the band will receive a penalty. Once physical warm-up is complete the band moves onto Music warm-up. This allows the band to practice all or parts of their music before competition. At 3:59 pm, the Marching Giants move into the end zone to prepare for the start of their show. As the Band takes position, the crowd starts spelling out “BEN DAVIS” followed by screams and cheers. The Marching Giants performed their show “The Tables Have Turned”. This week’s performance find the color guard added more flags and band members added additional movement extending the show from last week. Awards at District are different from school competitions; bands must receive a Gold rating to move on to Regional competition. The Marching Giants accomplished what they set out to do. They received a Gold rating for their performance and will compete in Regional competition at Center Grove HS on October 15. Congratulations Marching Giants!

Before Regional competition, the Marching Giants will be present for half-time during the Lawrence North vs Ben Davis football game; and they will host their own competition the “Preview of Champions” on Saturday, October 8. Nineteen bands from around the state will converge on the Ben Davis campus to compete for 1st place in their class. The Marching Giants will present their show in exhibition to all present. Come support your Marching Giants as they show the community that “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
  October 5, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  October 6, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  October 10, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
  October11, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
  October 12, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

Performance:
October 7, Lawrence North vs Ben Davis, call time 5 pm
October 8, Exhibition at the Preview of Champions Invitational