Local Bands gear up for the '09 Season
By: Jermaine Williams
info@blackhawkbrigade.com
Marching Band Analyst
FRENCH LICK, Ind. - Marching band in Indiana is one of the biggest co-curricular activities. Orange County is rich in that marching band tradition. The three county schools have made a combined 46 trips to state finals. This year hopes to be no different as all three schools look to achieve that goal of being a state finalist.
The schools will begin their season this weekend at the Springs Valley Festival of Marching Bands in French Lick. Northeast Dubois and Crawford County will join them at the Festival. Here is what to look for from the 2009 editions of our county marching bands.
Orleans Bulldog Regiment
Last season, the Orleans Bulldog Regiment was a Mid-States Championship finalist for the fourth consecutive year. The Regiment finished eighth at the championships in Ohio. They will enter competition this season with 70 members.
Director Terry Burton will again lead the Regiment. Burton is entering his seventh year as head of band. On the podium and leading the band this year will be Natasha Carr.
Burton mentioned that the best way to describe this year’s show is with a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “Ships that pass in the night, and speak to each other in passing; Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life we pass and speak to one another, Only a look and a voice; then darkness again and a silence.”
That opening line, “Ships that pass in the night” is the official theme for the Regiment’s show. The show is special to those in Orleans as the composer, Frank Sullivan, was director of the Bulldog Regiment in 1997.
Burton added, “We have an outstanding group of seniors this year, and we look forward to great leadership throughout the entire season. The kids are working extremely hard to achieve the goals that I set for them each rehearsal.”
Pride of Paoli
The Pride of Paoli enters the 2009 season off their 25th trip to the ISSMA State Finals. In that trip, Paoli finished in ninth. This season, Paoli is 70 members strong with 40 winds, 15 percussionist and 14 in the guard. Leading the group is senior drum major Clint Deringer.
Bill Laughlin, in his 22nd year as director of Paoli, has designed another piece that looks to turn heads at the state level. This year, the Pride will perform “The Road Less Traveled.” The show is comprised of four numbers entitled, “Lux Aurumque,” “Canyon,” “Overture to Dancer in the Dark,” and “The Call of the Mountain.”
The title of the show is a part of the Robert Frost poem, "Two Roads Diverged in a Wood.” The band will begin the show on an actual road on the field. As the show goes on, you will hear from soloist Jon Phipps on baritone and Audrey Thill on mellophone. Look for something new in with the percussion as they use world-drumming instruments and play under the horn line in the third number. The Pride will then wrap up the show with lively music, returning the band to the original road in the first set.
Laughlin mentioned, “Students, parents, and staff are really pleased with the show and development at this point.” He continued by saying that it is going to be an interesting and fun show to work on. He add the he is “looking forward to seeing and hearing the great work from the other bands as well.”
Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade
The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade completed their 19th trip to the ISSMA State Finals and third consecutive since 2006. Last season, the Brigade finished fifth at state finals. They return with 85 members, including 47 in the winds, 20 percussionists, and 17 color guard members. Elise McElroy, a senior, will be on the podium for the Brigade. McElroy will hold the honor for a third consecutive season. She will be assisted my Morgan Elmore, also in her third season as assistant drum major.
Director of Bands Luke Aylsworth is entering his ninth season as director at Springs Valley. This year, the Brigade will perform “Lasting Impressions.” They have four movements entitled “The Echo Never Fades,” “Reflections,” “In Search for Success,” and “Legacy.”
The Blackhawk Brigade marching show is a tribute performance to individuals that have left positive lasting impressions on our lives. Each student, staff member, parent, and fan, have special people who have motivated, educated, loved, and inspired. It is our goal to combine music and visual elements, to help express our thanks and gratitude for these lives and how they have inspired our own.
Thematically, the show design is based on a poem by Bessie Stanley titled "In Search for Success". Words from the poem will be visible on the backfield props and on the flag designs. Musically, the show hinges on a composition titled "The Echo Never Fades" by David Gillingham. This piece was commissioned by a school in Illinois for a classmate that had passed away. It has an instrumental focus on piano and alto saxophone. Both instruments are featured throughout the opening segment. Also included in the in this year's performance is the famous Pachabel's Canon in D, selections from California composer Jon Meehan, and original music by Kobie Manuel.
To help the audience understand our show concept, we have included a voice narration in this season's design. At specific times during the performance, the recorded narration will be played to heighten the effect and bring attention to the Stanley poem. The band hired a professional voice actor who has been in major motion pictures and television shows.
"It is our goal to do justice to the individuals that have helped develop our character and molded us into the people we are today,” added Aylsworth. “I feel this is a very strong show design that everyone can relate to and enjoy. It should be a very emotional topic and yet exciting and educational for the students and hopefully the audience."
Aylsworth continued by stating that the 2009 Brigade is one of the strongest bands Springs Valley has fielded in the past decade. The group is also one of the largest in history of the program. “I anticipate having a very good product on the field this season."
Orleans Bulldog Regiment 2009 Schedule
9/5 at Springs Valley
9/11 at Orleans Ice Cream Social
9/12 at Heritage Hills
9/19 at North Harrison (am) and Paoli (pm)
9/26 at Avon (am) and Greenwood (pm)
10/3 at ISSMA District in Jasper
10/10 at Salem
10/17 at ISSMA South Regional in Evansville
10/24 at ISSMA “D” Semi-State in Franklin
10/31 at ISSMA State Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indy)
11/7 at BOA Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indy)
Pride of Paoli 2009 Schedule
9/5 at Springs Valley
9/19 at North Harrison (am) and Paoli (pm)
9/26 at Floyd Central
10/3 at ISSMA District in Jasper
10/10 at Salem
10/17 at ISSMA South Regional in Evansville
10/24 at ISSMA “D” Semi-State in Franklin
10/31 at ISSMA State Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indy)
Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade 2009 Schedule
9/5 at Springs Valley
9/12 at Evansville Central
9/19 at Paoli
9/26 at Avon (am) and Greenwood (pm)
10/3 at ISSMA District in Jasper
10/10 at Salem
10/17 at ISSMA South Regional in Evansville
10/24 at ISSMA “D” Semi-State in Franklin
10/31 at ISSMA State Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indy)
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