The Bands of America Grand National
Championships is recognized as the premier marching band event in the nation. 87 bands
from 21 states, from around the country, made the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium
between Thursday, November 8, and Friday, November 9, for Bands of America
Grand Nationals, a program of Music for All, to compete in preliminary
competition. Once preliminary
competition is complete, the top 34 bands will compete in semi-finals on
Saturday in hopes of being one of the top 12 bands in the country.
The Marching Giants continued practicing each day last
week working to improve their show for this competition. They competed on Thursday, November 8, in preliminary
competition at 7:30 pm. Before heading
to Lucas Oil Stadium, the principal of Ben Davis HS, Sandy Squire, provided
pizza to the members and wished them Good Luck on their quest. Once they finished eating, the Marching
Giants dressed in uniform and loaded the eight buses that took them to Lucas
Oil Stadium where they presented their show to the audience and judges. As always, the Marching Giants did not
disappoint; their music, written by Don Barrett, tells the story of “A Thin
Line Between Love and Hate”. Starting with “Reaching Out”, followed
by “Rejection” and “Acceptance”, and concluding with “A Stronger Voice”. After their
performance, they loaded the eight buses and headed back to the school. They would have to wait until 10:00 pm on
Friday to find out if they would move on to semi-finals. It was a long wait, but finally the call came
to the members; they would have a report time of 5:00 am on Saturday because
their performance time was 9:30 am. The
Marching Giants finished 9th in Class AAAA and 10th
overall among the 43 bands that performed in preliminaries on Thursday. Once the students arrived at the HS, they had
a short practice before donning their uniforms one more time and heading back
to Lucas Oil Stadium for their performance.
Again, they awed the audience with their use of fences as props,
marching and dancing throughout the show, while the color guard spun, twirled
and tossed their flags and rifles. After
they finished, they loaded the buses and head back to the school to wait yet
again. Director, Dave Cole, told the
students to go home and get some sleep; but, to report back at 4:15 pm to watch
the awards ceremony.
All the members, volunteers, family, and staff crammed
into the band room to watch the ceremony as it was projected on the drop-down
screen. All was quite as the top 12 bands
names were announced. The Marching
Giants did not hear their name called.
Sadness hit the Marching Giants as they came to the realization that the
marching season was over. Senior
members understand they had worn the uniform for the last time in
competition. Cole addressed the crowd
and became teary eyed as he congratulated the Marching Giants on a season well
done; and thanked the senior members.
The members and staff have accomplished much during the 2012 season marching
season; from winning their Class at Bands of America in Louisville, KY back in
September, to placing 7th in the State at ISSMA competition earlier
in the month, to being the 16th ranked band in the nation at the
Bands of America this past weekend.
The Marching Giants are an amazing group of kids that hold a special place in everyone’s heart that are associated with them; from the volunteers to the staff to the fans in the stands. Congratulations Ben Davis Marching Giants. Thanks for representing Wayne Township for a job well done! Before you know it, they will be back out on the practice field preparing for the 2013 season. To all the fans out there, it won’t be long before we…See you in the Stands! Thanks for your support!