Blackhawk Brigade Marches through Camp

DRESS THE LINE
Bailey serves as dress point for the form during camp.

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Blackhawk Brigade Marches through Camp

By: Jermaine Williams
info@blackahwkbrigade.com
Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade Media Relations

FRENCH LICK, Ind. - This past Friday, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade completed their annual two-week band camp in preparation for the 2009 marching season.

The 85 member marching band worked eight hours each day on their show entitled “Lasting Impressions.” “Thanks to the weather and the hard work of our students, camp went very well this summer,” stated Director of Bands Luke Aylsworth. Aylsworth is beginning his ninth year at Springs Valley.

Springs Valley began practices in late June and will continue to work through the fall on the show. “The show is progressing and we anticipate being ready to unveil most if not all of the design on September 5 at the Springs Valley Festival of Bands,” added Aylsworth.

Since Aylsworth took over in 2001, participation in the program has risen each year. This season is no exception. “We have 85 student marchers in the band this year. I expect to add around five members when school starts to hold understudy positions,” said Aylsworth. He also added that with the addition of 15 student prop helpers would push the Brigade over 100 students directly involved with the show.

With over 100 students participating with the marching program, the Brigade is near the numbers of the early 1990s bands. According to IndianaFieldBands.com, the Brigade has 102 members in 1990. “We are the 6th smallest school in Indiana that competes in ISSMA events,” stated Aylsworth. “However, we will be the largest or second largest band in our class. I think that speaks volumes about the type of great support we get from the community, school board, parents, and administration.”

During the two-week band camp, parents assisted in serving snacks during morning breaks to the band. On Thursday evening, the Band Boosters and many parents came in and served each member of the group an ice cream float. The following day, Dave Childers, owner of Chicago’s Pizza in French Lick, donated lunch for the band. The Brigade would like to thank all of those who helped during the week and Dave Childers for his ongoing support of the band program.

The Brigade will open their 2009 season with the Festival of Marching Bands, hosted by Springs Valley on Labor Day Weekend. All Orange County marching bands will be attending as well as Crawford County and Northeast Dubois. More information will be made available closer to the contest weekend.