Springs Valley Advances to 7th Consecutive Regional

"IMPRESSIONS"
Francesca's smile leaving impressions on the judges.

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Springs Valley Advances to 7th Consecutive Regional

By: Jermaine Williams
info@blackhawkbrigade.com
SV Brigade Media Relations

JASPER, Ind. – On Saturday, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade earned a gold rating at well as awards for best music, visual, and general effect as the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) District Contest, held at Alumni Stadium in Jasper.

"This was a rewarding weekend for the Brigade,” stated Director of Bands Luke Aylsworth. “Just eight years ago we were having a hard time getting out of the Jasper District. It was a great feeling to hear positive comments from the judges and to receive the captions. I believe this is the first time since 1980 that the Brigade has been awarded all three caption awards. That is a very high honor."

Springs Valley will be joined by nine other schools from the Jasper District at Regional including both Orleans and Paoli, who also received a gold rating. Also advancing, in their fourth season of competition will be the Crawford County Wolfpack Band.

Thus far, the Brigade has placed first at each Invitational they have participated in. However, Aylsworth reminds us that the show is not perfect yet. "The scary thing is we have so much to work on,” added Aylsworth. We are far from having this show perfected. The students have a great deal of growing to do.”

Another positive for the Brigade is that they have a large fan following, which adds to the effect of the show. “It is exciting to know the audience and the judging community like our design concept. Now, we just have to perfect it,” concluded Aylsworth.

This weekend, the Brigade will travel to the Cavalcade of Champions at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, where they will compete with four regional qualifiers from the north, including 2007 and 2008 state champion, Lewis Cass. Springs Valley will open up the contest as they take the field at 3:52 pm.

Springs Valley earned all eight first place votes one again, placing them at the top of the Indiana Marching.com Class D Writer’s Poll. Forest Park moved up two spots to second. Orange County neighbors Orleans and Paoli both moved up this week as well as Paoli is up to fourth while Orleans is in a tie for seventh.