Fun for all at the Cookout, Band Olympics, and Bonfire

As the Marching Giants continue to tweak and improve their show, they took a much deserved break on Saturday, August 21. Once again, Dave Cole, created fun and games for the members to partake. After the members had their bellies full of food, they participated in races which included the Whoppers® race, Leaning Tower of Cheesa, Cupcake and Pie eating contests, Noodle Race, The Tunnel Race, along with a couple of others. In the end, the Low Brass members had won the most races; and were crowned the 2010 Band Olympic winners. However, all members were winners as everyone was seen laughing and enjoying themselves. Once the games were complete, the members conducted their annual impersonations of the Directors and Staff. Bass Clarinet, Yusuf, was named the best impersonator for his impersonation of Joey, one of the Visual Techs. After a fun evening, the members gathered around the bonfire to welcome the new members into the Marching Giants. Along with the bonfire, a smaller fire ring was provided for the members to roast marshmallows to be eaten or to be turned into S’mores. It was a good ending to the week after the many hours the members have put in over the past couple of months.
The Band would like to thank the Cable family for providing and preparing the food for the cookout; and the booster members who helped with the serving the members. A GREAT BIG THANKS goes to Dave Cole for putting this event all together for everyone to enjoy.

If you haven’t seen the Marching Giants a-MAZE-ing show this season, make sure you get to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, August 28, where they will perform during halftime at the football game where Ben Davis will take on Penn.

Don’t forget: If anyone would like to make a donation to the Uniform Fund, please contact David Cole, Assistant Band Director, at David.Cole@wayne.k12.in.us. All donations are tax deductable.

Upcoming events:
Practices:
August 25 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band
August 26 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Full Band
August 28 - 8:00 - 4:30 pm - Full Band
August 30 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Color Guard
August 31 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds
August 31 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Percussion
September 1 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

Performance:
August 25 – 7:15 pm - Lucas Oil Stadium

School is Back in Session; Wayne Downey Returns

The Marching Giants found themselves in the classroom last week as 2010-2011 school session began last Wednesday. This did not keep the members from continuing their practices. They were on the practice field three times after school; learning new drills. They have also learned additional warm-ups to keep them limber and agile as they move around the field. Directors, Techs, and Assistance work with the members to help them improve movements and music. Members are also learning the music for the “African Rundown”, composed by David Arnold; the music is from the James Bond movie “Casino Royale”.


This week, the members have been working with Wayne Downey. Wayne “is the Music Director of the fourteen time DCI Champion Concord Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps.”, per the bluedevils.org website. Wayne will create the adaptation of the music selections the Band will be performing during “The Maze”.

Don’t forget: If anyone would like to make a donation to the Uniform Fund, please contact David Cole, Assistant Band Director, at David.Cole@wayne.k12.in.us. All donations are tax deductable.

Upcoming events:

Practices:
August 18 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band
August 19 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Full Band
August 21 - 8:00 - 4:30 pm - Full Band
August 23 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Color Guard
August 24 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds
August 24 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Percussion
August 25 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

Band Picnic, Olympics, and Bon Fire
August 21 at the High School

Annual Craft Fair:
The annual Ben Davis Band Boosters Homespun Holiday Craft Fair will be held this year on Saturday, November 20, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Freshman Center. Mark your calendars to plan to come and shop! If you would like to set up a booth, please contact Co-chairperson, Katie Hein, at bdboxmom@gmail.com for more info.

Ice Cream, Music, and Marching; What a Great Combination

The Maze

Did you make it to the Ice Cream Social on Friday, July 31? If you did, you saw the beginning of the 2010 Marching Giants show entitled “The Maze”. The guard and band started the evening with their warm-up routines to show how their hard work and dedication had brought them to the highlight of the evening - the first moment of the show! The music, entitled “The Four Sections” is written by composer Steve Reich. The band will continue practicing and adding more movements to the show as the season progresses. Assistance Director, Dave Cole stated, “Marching Giants: We are very proud of the progress through band camp and production week. Good job at the Ice Cream social. This is going to be an amazing show!”

The Band Boosters where on hand to serve up ice cream to all the fans in attendance. Thanks to all the volunteers for their help and support of the Marching Giants.

Don’t forget: If anyone would like to make a donation to the Uniform Fund, please contact David Cole, Assistant Band Director, at David.Cole@wayne.k12.in.us. All donations are tax deductable.

Upcoming events:
Practices:
August 4 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
August 5 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
August 9 – 1:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
August 11 – 3:30 – 6:00 pm – Full Band

Meetings:
August 4 – Box Brigade Start-Up Meeting – Ensemble Room – 7:00 pm

Band Camp is behind them; Production Week is Under Way

Band camp was held last week; and the members had a different theme each day. Monday was Mix and Match day; members dressed in their favorite articles of clothing even if they did not match. Tuesday found the members dressing for Halloween in July. There was a vampire, a bumble bee, and a football player to name a few. Wednesday was section wars. Each section was assigned a color to dress to bring unity to the groups. The four drum majors determine the best section; and the Trumpets were triumphant. Finally, on Thursday, the members dressed in their best BD pride. Purple could be seen everywhere you looked. With all the fun happenings, the members were still able to learn the first 17 charts of the show; and received charts 18-32 to put in their dot books. They will be learning the charts over the next week.

This week finds the members participating in Production Week. Members will be working toward Friday when they will present what they have learned to everyone at the Ice Cream Social. See you all at the Giant Stadium at 6:00 pm. Don’t be late; you won’t want to miss a moment.

If anyone would like to make a donation to the Uniform Fund, please contact David Cole, Assistant Band Director, at David.Cole@wayne.k12.in.us. All donations are tax deductable.

Upcoming events:
Practices:

July 28 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
July 29 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
July 29 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Guard Only
July 30 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
August 2 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
August 3 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
August 4 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band

Performance:
July 30 – Ice Cream Social – 6:00 pm – Giant Stadium

Meetings:
August 3 – Band Booster Meeting – Band Room – 7:00 pm
August 4 – Box Brigade Start-Up Meeting – Ensemble Room – 7:00 pm

07.21.2010 Weekly Update

One Busy Week…

The Marching members have had one busy week; learning the opening of the 2010 show, being fitted for uniforms, and volunteering at the 1st Annual Garage Sale. Members have been attending daily practices from 5:00 – 9:00 to learn the choreography for the opening of the show. All the members are very excited to learn more each day. They have also been working on the music; and that too, is coming along nicely.

Also during the week, every member was fitted for their uniform. A great big thanks goes out to Katie Hein and the rest of the Box Brigade. Without these volunteers, the Marching Giants would not be so organized and prepared. The men and women put in a lot of time and dedication to guarantee the members success.

At the end of the week, members volunteer at the 1st Annual Garage Sale. This year’s sale was held to help raise funds for new Marching Uniforms. At the end of the day, the Garage Sale was a success. The Band raised enough money to purchase 5 uniforms. If anyone would like to make a donation to the Uniform Fund, please contact David Cole, Assistant Band Director, at David.Cole@wayne.k12.in.us. All donations are tax deductable.

Members: Don’t Forget - Production week begins July 26.

Make sure you make it to the Ice Cream Social on Friday, July 30, at 6:00 in the Giant Stadium for your first look at the 2010 Marching Giants.



Upcoming events:

Practices:
July 21 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
July 22 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
July 22 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Guard Only
July 26 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
July 26 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Brass Only
July 27 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
July 27 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Woodwinds Only

Performance:
July 30 – Ice Cream Social – 6:00 pm – Giant Stadium

07.14.2010 Weekly Update

Let the Marching Season Begin

Welcome to the returning students and the new members of the Ben Davis Marching Giants! New members were able to get a taste of being a Marching Giant when two mini-camps were held in April and May. But, on July 5, the Band officially started the marching season at Ben Davis HS. When the new members arrived, the directors were able to begin work right away because of the mini-camps. The Drum Majors and Section Leaders were available to help the new members understand what was expected and what would be taking place the first week of the Marching season. On Wednesday, July 7, the veteran members returned; and the Marching Band was once again together. Members started out learning / reviewing the basics; along with new body warm-ups and music for the upcoming season.

July 19, begins Band Camp Week; it is very important everyone be present; there is much to learn during this time.

Your first chance to see the Band in motion will be at the Ice Cream Social on Friday, July 30, at 6:00 in the Giant Stadium. Be sure to mark your calendars; it’s going to be an exciting year!

Don’t forget about the Garage Sale scheduled for Saturday, July 17. All funds go toward the 2011 New Uniform Campaign.

Upcoming events:
Practices:
July 14 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm – Drum Camp
July 14 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
July 15 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm – Drum Camp
July 15 – 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Full Band
July 19 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
July 19 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Brass Only
July 20 – 8:00 – 5:00 pm – Full Band
July 20 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Woodwinds Only

Performance:
July 30 – Ice Cream Social – 6:00 pm – Giant Stadium

Garage Sale:
July 17 - Ben Davis Band Garage Sale – Drop off donations Thursday, in the Band room, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.