Marching Giants Finish Season Ranked 16th in the Nation

 

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 9^th in Class AAAA and 10^th 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 7^th in the State at ISSMA competition earlier in the month, to being the 16^th 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!