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

Homespun Holiday Craft Fair

Were you one of over 1000 customers at the Craft Fair? If so, you saw over 100 vendors who brought in arts, crafts, jewelry, holiday decorations, baked goods, gourmet foods, Christmas gifts, home décor, and much, much more to the Annual Band Boosters “Homespun Holiday Craft Show” on Saturday, November 20. Happy customers were seen leaving with many purchases.


Many thanks go out to all the parents and students that helped put this day together. Without these volunteers putting in their time to man the doors, set-up and tear down booths, serve food, make signs, and stuff envelopes, this event could not have taken place. Special thanks go to Katie Hein and Suzanne Driver, co-chairperson, for all their time and effort in preparing and organizing such a successful show. Plans are already in the making for next year’s show. Mark your calendars now for November 19, 2011. You won’t want to miss it.

Thank you everyone, in our wonderful community, for your continued support!

Upcoming events:
November 25, HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Ben Davis Bands
November 29, 6 to 9 pm, Marching Band Banquet and Dance
November 30, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Percussion and Winter Guard

Booster Meeting
December 7, 7 pm, Officer Elections

Ben Davis finishes Marching Season at BOA Grand Nationals

The Marching Giants finish their marching season participating in BOA Grand Nationals. Competition began for Ben Davis on Thursday, November 11, when they competed in the preliminary round. 82 bands from 20 states were looking for a spot in the top 34 scores to move on to semi-finals on Saturday. The band would have to wait until Friday evening to find out if they advanced to semi-finals. Around 10:00 pm, on Friday, the Marching Giants learned their performance was one of the best among the 82 bands. They would be competing with the top 34 bands in the nation on Saturday.

With an early morning performance draw, the members reported to the HS at 5:00 am. Ben Davis would take the field at 8:45 am, on Saturday, for their final performance of the season. With the fans in the stands cheering on the members; they were all so proud of the Marching Giants. The Band gave an awesome performance; but unfortunately, did not make it to finals on Saturday evening. Band directors were filled with pride to be associated with this great group of kids. The band members have put in a lot of time, hard work, and dedication over the last 4 ½ months. John Papandria, band director, commented, “I wanted to say congratulations and thanks to the Ben Davis Marching Giants. You have done so many great things this year; and I could not have been more proud of you and your performance at semis. You are a great group of people that I am so lucky to get to spend time with everyday.” Everyone associated with this

a-MAZE-ing group of kids are so proud of all their accomplishments this season.

Until next season: "There have been many before us; and there will be many after us, we're here today, and that's what’s important. Because, we are…BEN DAVIS!"

Upcoming events:

Homespun Holidays Ben Davis Band Boosters Craft Show

November 20, 9 am to 3 pm, at the 9th Grade Center

Auditions:

November 22, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Guard Auditions

November 23, 6 to 9 pm, Winter Guard Auditions

Ben Davis Marches Back to Lucas Oil Stadium

Once again, the Marching Giants return to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, November 6th to compete at Bands of America Regional’s. Lucas Oil Stadium would host 35 bands from 9 states competing in preliminary competition. Bands with the top 10 scores, regardless of class, would compete in evening finals. Wayne Downy returned from California to help the Band make final adjustments before the competition. The member’s day started with a short morning practice before loading up the trucks and buses to head downtown. Having Wayne here all week showed as The Marching Giants had a great show. Improvements could be seen from the previous week. With so many bands competing at a National level, all of them gave a great performance. During the awards ceremony, Ben Davis was not selected to move on to finals. The members were still able to hold their heads high because they knew they had performed to the best of their ability on Saturday; and that they would have another chance to perform “The Maze” one more time. Next weekend they return to Lucas Oil Stadium to compete in BOA Grand Nationals Championship. This is the final push for the Marching Giants to show the nation how they have worked so hard to make this a great season.


Don’t miss your last chance to see them perform this year. They will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:30, Thursday, for Preliminary round; then, the Band will learn Friday evening if they move on to semi-finals on Saturday. Won’t you come support Your Marching Giants!

Upcoming events:
Practice:
November 10, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band
November 12, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band

Performance:
November 11, 7:30 pm, BOA, prelims
November 13, semi-finals, BOA Grand Nationals
November 13, finals, BOA Grand Nationals

Ben Davis Band Craft Show:
November 20, 9 to 3

Marching Giants Place 8th in the State

Ben Davis Marching Giants represented Wayne Township at the 38th Annual Indiana State School Music Association finals for Class A Marching Bands on Saturday, October 30. The evening started with a Police escort, along with the streets blocked by Wayne Township Fire Department, and members of the community shooting off fireworks and cheers for the members as they made their way to Lucas Oil Stadium. Everyone involved could feel the excitement in the air and pride in their hearts for the Marching Giants.

As the Marching Giants took the field, Ben Davis fans were packed into the stands cheering on the members. The Band had added new body movements to their show that many had not seen adding to the thrill of watching Ben Davis. The show now finishes with the members playing as they move to their knees and falling over to one side or the other; giving an a-MAZE-ing visual effect to finish the show.

During the Awards ceremony, the four drum majors accept the 8th place trophy. All the bands hard work has shown that Ben Davis Marching Giants is one of the top 10 bands in the State of Indiana; an accomplishment many bands strive for; but Ben Davis has proven time and time again. Dave Cole, assistant band director, stated, “It is great to be from Ben Davis tonight. Thanks for a great performance.” Everyone is very proud of the Marching Giants for all their accomplishments this season. However, their season isn’t over yet; the members will return to Lucas Oil Stadium this Saturday to compete in Bands of American regional competition.

Wayne Township is proud to be represented by the Ben David Marching Giants.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
November 3, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band
November 4, 5 to 9 pm, full band
November 5, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band
November 8, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band
November 9, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band
November 10, 3:30 to 6 pm, full band

Meeting:
November 4, 7 pm, box brigade

Performance:
November 6, Bands of America
November 9, 7 pm, Chapel Hill concert