Bands of America Regional Championship Performance

On Saturday, September 25, the Marching Giants headed for Louisville, KY, to compete against seventeen bands from five states in one of the nation’s most prominent marching band championships, the Bands of America Regional Championship, presented by Yamaha. This year, the Band had a performance time of 3:00 pm. With a later performance time, the Band Boosters provided lunch at Wyandotte Park in Louisville for the Band. The members arrived to a prepared lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, cookies, and drinks. After lunch, the members worked on movement warm-up, at the park, before heading to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium at the University of Louisville. After their performance in the preliminary round, Ben Davis finished 2nd in Class AAAA. The top 10 scores from the seventeen bands would move on to finals competition later that evening. The Marching Giants had scored in the top 10 bands; and moved on to finals, with a draw time of 9:00 pm. This year the rain stayed away; and Ben Davis came out strong. Marching Giants fans in the stands were impressed with the show. During the evening awards, the Marching Giants were presented with the 4th place trophy. Congratulations Marching Giants on another a-MAZE-ing show!

Come cheer on your Marching Giants next week as the band competes in ISSMA District competition at Lawrence Central High School.



Upcoming events:

Practice:
September 29 - 3:30 to 6:00 pm - Full Band
September 30 - 5:30 to 8:30 pm - Full Band
October 4 - 6:00 to 9:00 pm - Color Guard
Otober 5 - 3:30 to 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds
October 5 - 6:00 to 9:00 pm - Percussion
October 6 - 6:00 to 9:00 pm - Full Band

Band Booster Meeting – October 5 – 7:00 pm – Band Room

Performance:  October 2 – 6:22 pm - ISSMA District Contest - Lawrence Central High School
$7.00 admittance

Friday Night Football; Saturday Parade

The Marching Giants had a busy weekend starting with presenting their show, The Maze, during halftime at Homecoming on Friday, September 17. The stands were packed with Giants fans. As the band took the field, the crowd was on their feet, cheering for the entertainment to begin. Members take position from end field to end, the music began and the guard started their opening routine; the crowd went wild. Fans in the stands could be heard cheering, “You look great band!” With the comments from the stands, the Marching Giants could feel good about their Friday night performance.

Their weekend was over yet, members returned to the school early Saturday morning to practice and prepare for Clermont “Old Fashion Days” parade. This is a fun event for the Marching Giants as they are able to participate in the community event to show their appreciation for the support they receive from the community. After the parade, freshman, Evan Brosman stated, “This was a fun day.” The day did not end with the end of the parade for the Marching Giants. They returned to the HS to enjoy a pizza lunch, provide by the Band Boosters, for their hard work and dedication to the band. Once lunch was complete, the members returned to the practice field to continue improving their show as they prepare for Bands of America (BOA) regional competition in Louisville, KY on Saturday, September 25. If you can make the trip, you won’t be disappointed with this National competition. See you in the stands!

Reminder: 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.

The annual Ben Davis Band Boosters Homespun Holiday Craft Fair will be held this year on Saturday, November 20, from 9 am to 3 pm, at Ben Davis High School's Freshman Center. If you would like to set up a booth, please contact Co-chairperson Katie Hein at bdboxmom@gmail.com for more information by October 1.

Upcoming events:
Practices:
September 22 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band
September 23 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Full Band
September 24 - 3:30 – 5:30 pm - Full Band
September 27 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Color Guard
September 28 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds
September 28 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Percussion
September 29 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

Performance:
September 25 – BOA – Louisville, KY – 3:00 pm

Meeting:
September 23 - 7:00 pm – Box Brigade

1st Competition of the Season at Franklin Central

The Marching Giants loaded 8 buses on Saturday, September 11, and headed to Franklin Central HS for their 1st competition of the season. As the Giants entered the field, Suzanne Driver, parent, led the fans in the spelling of Ben Davis to fire up the crowd. The show opens with a Mellophone playing a solo as the band members position themselves for the opening of the show. With the size of the band this year, they are able to take up the full length of the football field. New body movements are presented for the first time to the audience. As the band continues to play, the audience is in awe of the music, body movement, marching and the flag presentation. When the competition was complete, Ben Davis finished 2nd in Class A. They were also award a trophy for Best Drum Major. Great way to start the session Giants! Their next performance will be at Giant Stadium during half-time at the Homecoming football game. Next competition is scheduled for September 25, in Louisville, KY when the band participates in Bands of America (BOA) regional competition. Also, don’t miss the Marching Giants in the Clermont Old Fashion Day Parade this weekend at 11:00 a.m. The Giants will be marching down Crawfordsville Road entertaining the crowd along the way.


Reminder: 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.

The annual Ben Davis Band Boosters Homespun Holiday Craft Fair will be held this year on Saturday, November 20, from 9 am to 3 pm, at Ben Davis High School's Freshman Center. If you would like to set up a booth, please contact Co-chairperson Katie Hein at bdboxmom@gmail.com for more information before October 1. Please mark your calendars to plan to attend and shop as well!!

Upcoming events:
Practices:
September 15 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band
September 16 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Full Band
September 18 - 12:00 - 3:30 pm - Full Band
September 20 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Color Guard
September 21 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds
September 21 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Percussion
September 22 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

Performance:
September 17 – Homecoming – Giants Stadium
September 18 – Clermont Old Fashion Day - Parade

Meeting:
September 9 - 7:00 pm – Box Brigade

Review and Tweaking

After the Marching Giants performed at Lucas Oil Stadium, on August 23, they were able to view their performance at school on Monday. They were excited to see how far the performance and music have come since July; and learned where tweaking is still needed. Every time the Marching Giants take the field to perform it is videotaped; this allows the members the ability to see what the Directors and Judge see. With this ability, they are able to make improvements and fine-tune “The Maze” to make it their Best Show. They have spent the last week working on improvements from their previously learned drills, as well as, learning new drills allowing the show to continue to progress. Friday, September 3, found the Marching Giants presenting “The Maze” to the crowd at the football game where Ben Davis hosted North Central. Members enjoy performing on their home turf - Nothing beats the home crowd!

Reminder: 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:

September 8 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

September 9 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Full Band

September 10 - 4:00 – 9:00 Band Picture Day in Full Uniform

September 11 - 8:00 - 5:00 pm – Full Band – Franklin Central

September 13 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Color Guard

September 14 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds

September 14 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Percussion

September 15 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

Performance:

September 11 – Contest Franklin Central

Meeting:

September 9 - 7:00 pm – Box Brigade

First Official Performance of the Season

The Marching Giants were present during the halftime show at Lucas Oil Stadium when Ben Davis took on Penn; Saturday, August 28. Some new members were nervous, due to the fact; this was the largest crowd they would perform in front of this season. However, the seasoned members were around to reassure the members they had put in long practice hours and performed the routine many times before taking the field that evening. When it was time for the Giants to take the field, the nervous jitters had subsided; and the members preformed very well. Hundreds were on hand to see the presentation of “The Maze”; for some this was the first viewing. When the band had finished their performance, the crowd was on their feet, cheering for the Marching Giants. Many were amazed at the show; the crowd loved the performance.
Your next chance to see The Marching Giants will be at Giants Stadium on Friday, September 3, when Ben Davis host North Central. The game begins at 7:00 pm.

Reminder: 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:
September 1 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band
September 2 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Full Band
September 6 - Labor Day – No Practice – Enjoy your Day
September 7 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Color Guard
September 7 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Brass & Woodwinds
September 7 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Percussion
September 8 - 3:30 - 6:00 pm - Full Band

Performance:
September 3 - Giants Stadium (Call Time 5:00 pm)

Meeting:
September 7 - 7:00 pm – Band Room
Miss a Meeting; Miss a Lot of Information

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.