Marching Giants Compete in Their 1st Competition

Saturday, September 17, found the Marching Giants in a parade, enjoying a cookout, and their first competition. The members arrived at Ben Davis HS at 9:00 am for a morning practice before leaving for Clermont for the Old Fashion Days Parade. The Marching Giants is the only band to participate in the event. With the streets lined with people, the Band marched down Rockville Road while playing “Stars and Stripes Forever”. From young to old, everyone enjoyed seeing the Band along the route. Once the parade was complete, the members loaded their buses and headed back to the high school. After their lunch break, the members returned for afternoon practice.


After practice the Band Boosters as they cooked up and served hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids to enjoy before leaving for the Red Pride Marching Invitational in Plainfield; their first competition of the season. Many thanks go to the Band Boosters for feeding the kids. The Band arrived at Plainfield around 7:00 pm but did not perform until 9:43 pm. They must go through warm-ups before performing. Ben Davis participates in Class A competition which found seven bands in the class on Saturday. Performing to a packed stadium, the Marching Giants took the field to fans spelling out Ben Davis. Head drum major, Gigi Caballos, salutes the crowd and the show beings. The Marching Giants take the field! Additions to the show finds the tables draped with “curtains” and the guard members’ uniforms are now complete. The guard starts out the show wearing black and white jackets. During the show, they remove the jackets to reveal a colorful uniform which includes a matching headdress. The crowd is impressed by the music, moves; the entire show. The members finish and receive a standing ovation. Two other bands would perform before The Marching Giants would find out what the judges thought of their show. The top three bands would receive trophies; but participation awards would be presented first. Would Ben Davis make the top three? Yes, they did! Warren Central would be presented with 3rd place; Ben Davis received the 2nd place trophy with Avon winning the event. Congratulations to the top 3 schools; but, especially to your Marching Giants on their 2nd place finish for their first competition of the season!

The Marching Giants will be at Giant stadium on Friday, September 23, to present their show for Homecoming and, on Saturday, September 24, they will travel to Greenwood HS for their 2nd competition. The Marching Giants love to perform for their fans; will you be in the stands next week? You won’t want to miss an opportunity to support the Marching Giants!

Upcoming events:
Practice:
September 21, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
September 22, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
September 26, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
September 27, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
September 28, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

Performance:

September 23, Homecoming, call time 5:00 pm

September 17, Meijer Greenwood Band Invitational

Marching Giants Prepare for their First Competition

This coming Saturday, September 17, the Marching Giants will travel to Plainfield HS for the Red Pride Marching Invitational; their first competition of the season. But before the Giants take to the field in Plainfield, they took to Giants Stadium this past Friday. The members presented their show to the “home town” crowd. This could be looked upon as a dress rehearsal, before their competitive season begins, due to the fact; the stands were packed on both sides of the field. The Warren Central Warriors (3-0) came to Ben Davis (3-0) for Friday night football bringing many fans for both teams. With so many people in the stands, the members are able to prepare mentally, as well as, competitively for their show; shaking out any pre-show jitters. During halftime, the Band is not being judged as they will be during a competition; but, they are still able to learn from their presentation and improve in the coming weeks.

During practice the past week, the members were able to add more charts and music to their show. Each week of practice brings them closer to completing their show “The Tables Have Turned”. It takes many hours of practice, on and off the field, to bring together a competitive show. It will show on Saturday as the members have worked very long and very hard for this first competition.

Before the Band makes their trip to Plainfield, you can see them in the Clermont Days Parade in downtown Clermont on Saturday. The parade steps off at 11:00 am, rain or shine. This is always a fun time for young and old. Don’t miss this parade featuring the Marching Giants.

The Marching Giants will have a busy week, next week. On Friday, September 23, the band will be present for Home Coming at Giants Stadium; and, on Saturday, September 24, they will travel to Greenwood HS for another competition. The Competitive season is upon us; you won’t want to miss seeing the Giants on the field.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
September 14, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
September 15, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
September 19, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
September 20, Full Band 3:30 to 6 pm
September 21, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

Performance:
September 17, Clermont Parade, 11 am
September 17, Red Pride Marching Invitational, 9:43 pm

Picnic, Band Olympics, and Bonfire

The band members spend time having fun. After practice on August 27, found the members of the Marching Giants taking time out from their busy practice schedule to have some much earned fun time. The band members were treated to a cookout which included hot dogs or peanut butter and jelly, chips, cookies and other sweets, and drinks served up by the Band Boosters. Once dinner was finished, the members where gathered to being the Band Olympics. Many thanks go to Dave Cole, assistant band director, for putting together all the games the member participated in. Games included, a donut eating contest, cotton ball race, find the gum in the whipped cream, pass the pretzel, and fill a pitcher with unsweetened Kool-aid ® . The members were grouped by their sections for the competition. For the pretzel pass, the members passed twisted pretzels by pretzel stick from one member to the other; the section with the most pretzels in the pan won a point. Each game was scored this way. The cotton ball race found the members with Vaseline® on their faces, after which, the members would race to a table where a plate of cotton balls was awaiting them, they would stick their face into the cotton balls hoping to attach as many to their face as possible, than they would race to the other end where another table held a bucket for the cotton balls to be placed in. The members had an exciting time participating in the Olympic Games. After the games were completed and the Alto Saxophones where crowned the winning section, the members moved to the bonfire. 80+ hours went into building the bon fire; and thanks go to the members of the crew that put in those hours. Members enjoyed the flames of the fire as the shared friendship between the new members and the veterans.

The Marching Giants take away memories of food, fun, and friendship from this wonderful evening. Thanks to everyone that made this time a great success!

Your next chance to see the Marching Giants on the field will be Friday, September 9, when the Warren Central Warriors take on the Ben Davis Giants. You won’t want to miss the half-time show to see that “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
  September 7, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 7, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
  September 8, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  September 10, Full Band, 8 am to 5 pm
  September 12, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
  September 13, Full Band 8 am to 5 pm
  September 14, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

Performance:
  September 9, Giants Stadium, call time 5 pm

Marching Giants Perform During the First Home Game of the Season

On Friday, August 26, Pike vs Ben Davis was the first home football game of the season. Fans were ready for some football because the stands were filled from one end zone to the other. During the half-time show, the Marching Giants performed for the packed stands. The show starts out with low music as the members march onto the field. All is quite from the stands as the announcer welcomes the Marching Giants to perform. The crowd welcomes the Giants with a huge round of applause. The Marching Giants proudly present their show entitled “The Tables Have Turned”. During the week, the members had learned additional charts as they continue to add to their show. It was evident, as the members extend their previous presentation to include additional music, marching, and body movement. When the performance was over, the crowd was on their feet cheering for the incredible performance of their Marching Giants. Each member of the band is grateful for the fans in the stands and appreciates their presents during each of their performances. Thanks to everyone present for their support.

Your next chance to see the Marching Giants on the field will be Friday, September 9, when the Warren Central Warriors take on the Ben Davis Giants. You won’t want to miss the half-time show to see that “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:
Practice:
  August 31, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 1, Section Pictures, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
  September 1, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  September 2, Picture Day during School
  September 5, No Practice – Enjoy your Labor Day
  September 6, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 7, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  September 7, Percussion & Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm

Meetings:
  September 6, Booster Meeting, 7 pm

12th Annual 2011 Peyback Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium

The 12th Annual Peyback Classic was held at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, August 20. The Marching Giants were present for their half-time show. However, their day began at 8:00 am for the members of the band. The Marching Giants arrived early to school for practice. The band was able to get time on the Ben Davis field to tweak their show. Before leaving for the Stadium, the band members were treated to a pizza dinner served to them by band boosters. Once dinner was finished, the members put on their new uniforms, for the first time this season, loaded the eight buses required to transport the massive band, and rode to Lucas Oil Stadium. The members filed into their seats to support the Giants football team on the field by playing the school fight song and others songs to entertain during time outs. Finally, the time had arrived for the members to leave the stands and prepare themselves for their half-time show.


The members lined themselves in the end zone and waited for the moment to arrive to step out onto the field. The low sounds of the bari sax starts the show as guard members are pushed onto the field atop their tables while the band members march out to take their place on the field. The crowded stands cheer and shout as the band present their show, “The Tables Have Turned”. Flags, swords, and sabers are spun by the guard members while the band plays their original score. Band members move from one side of the field to the other playing and presenting body movement to the beat of the music. The show was a big hit evident of the crowd on their feet cheering and clapping as the members completed their show. The Marching Giants have started the season off on an awesome start!

Your next chance to see the Marching Giants on the field will be Friday, August 26, when the Pike Red Devils take on the Ben Davis Giants at the first home game of the season. Don’t miss the half-time show during this game to see “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:
Performance:
  August 26, Ben Davis Stadium, Call Time, 5 pm
Practice:
  August 24, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  August 24, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm
  August 25, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30
  August 27, Full Band 8 am to 4:30 pm
  August 27, Picnic, Band Olympics, Bon Fire – 5 to 9 pm
  August 29, Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm
  August 30, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm
  August 31, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm
  August 31, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm

Pictured:  Senior, Eddie Moore

Marching Giants Host Car Wash to Raise Funds for Tournment of Roses Parade

While the Marching Giants will not leave until December for the Tournament of Roses Parade, fundraisers have been underway since last season to help offset the cost of the trip.  This past weekend found the members divided into five different groups and as many different locations for a “Car-Wash-A-Thon”.  The Car-Wash-A-Thon allowed the members to take pledges from family and friends.  Dave Cole, assistant band director, stated, “The idea is to solicit help from not only local donors but out of town family, friends, and fans that may not be able to support our ongoing fundraisers.  100% of the money raised in this event will benefit each member’s individual account.”

The members would like to thank all five locations for allowing the use their facilities.  They are:  K-Mart on Washington Street, M & I Bank at 10^th and High School Road, Dairy Queen on Rockville Road, Dog ‘n Suds on West 10^th Street, and Auto Zone at Rockville Road and Country Club.  Without their generosity; our car wash would not have been a success.  In all, the members washed 328 cars and 1 semi-truck in five hours. Thank you to all the members, parents, and supporters of the band for a successful day.

Don’t miss the Marching Giants this Saturday, August 20, as they take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium during the half-time show at the annual PeyBack Classic.  Come support the Marching Giants as they present their show “The Tables Have Turned”.

Upcoming events:

  Performance:

        August 20, Lucas Oil Stadium, Kick-off, 7 pm

  Practice:

        August 17, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

        August 17, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm

        August 18, Full Band, 5:30 to 8:30

        August 22, Color Guard, 6 to 9 pm

        August 23, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm

        August 24, Brass & Woodwinds, 3:30 to 6 pm

        August 24, Percussion, 6 to 9 pm

Photo courtesy of: Dave Cole, assistant band director

Richard Jackson, Tournament of Roses Parade President, Visits Ben Davis

Did you know the Ben Davis Marching Giants will be in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday, January 2, 2012? The President of The Tournament of Roses Parade, Richard Jackson and his wife, Sharon, came to Ben Davis on Friday, July 29, during the annual Ice Cream Social, to present John Papandria, band director, and the band members with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses flag; making the invitation to the parade official.


The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of the largest televised parades in the US and is considered to be one of the most prestigious events for a band to march and perform in. Around 70 – 80 bands applied last year to participate in the 2012 parade. Ben Davis was one of 21 bands to be selected from around the world to participate. When selecting a band, Mr. Jackson said, “He looks for musicality, sharp marching skills and showmanship.” Ben Davis proved they had these qualities in the DVD that was sent to the Music Committee last year. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have the final say as to the bands that make it into the parade. This will be Ben Davis’s seventh appearance; more than any other school outside of California. Bands from Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Sweden, and the US make up the 21 bands marching in the parade.

While Mr. Jackson was at Ben Davis, he was able to see the first part of the show, entitled “The Tables Have Turned”. The members had practiced the past two weeks to present the first 44 charts of the show. While the two full weeks of practice takes a lot out of the students, they can be proud their efforts and performance last Friday. Job well done!

This exciting season has just started. You have many chances to see the Marching Giants perform their show; you won’t want to miss a one!

Upcoming events:
  Practice:
    August 3, Drum Camp, 1 to 4 pm
    August 3, Full Band, 5 to 9 pm
    August 4, Full Band, 5 to 9 pm
    August 8, Full Band, 1 to 4 pm and 5 to 9 pm
    August 9, Full Band, 3:30 to 6 pm