FRENCH LICK, Ind. - On Tuesday, May 13, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade closed the book on the 2007 marching season with the annual Band Banquet, held in the Springs Valley Elementary Cafeteria.

INDIANAPOLIS - Drum Corps International has just released the relocation of it's 2008 World Championships. It will be moved to Memorial Stadium on the campus of Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington due to construction delays on Lucas Oil Stadium.

JASPER, Ind. – The Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) held their annual Solo and Ensemble District at the 5th Street School in Jasper. Kyle and Drew both received Division I gold, qualifing them for the state event in two weeks in Indianapolis.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Members of the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade are gathering on Saturday evening and hosting “Moss Fest” at the American Legion in French Lick to support the Moss Family.

INDIANAPOLIS - The 2007 ISSMA State Finals marked the last state finals held in the RCA Dome (formally known as the Hoosier Dome). This year, state finals will be held just across South Street in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Lucas Oil Stadium opens in the fall of 2008 with none other than a marching event. Drum Corp, International will be the first event held in the $625 million stadium. Following the DCI World Championships in August, ISSMA will hold the first high school event with the Marching Band State Finals on November 1.

FRENCH LICK, Indiana – Luke Aylsworth, director of bands at Springs Valley High School, was awarded the Barnabas Award by the Living Waters Assembly of God in French Lick on Sunday morning, November 18.

Aylsworth is a member of the Springs Valley United Methodist Church in French Lick. However, the Barnabas Award nominations were open to any community leader. The award is given to a member of the community who makes a definite and strong influence and impact in the community with Christian values, valuable service, and powerful ministry, yet is not recognized as a leader in the church.

The Three Generations Show is dedicated to the band students from eight different decades in the Springs Valley community. They have given of their time and talents to proudly represent our local schools in countless parades, concerts, basketball games, pep sessions, patriotic events, football games and community projects. Their faces stare back at us from old black and white photographs. as well as, more modern color digital prints. They are united over the generations, however, with the pride, dedication, hard work and love of music they uniquely share.

INDIANAPOLIS – Over 15,000 fans filed into the RCA Dome on Saturday as 40 of the state’s top bands performed for a state championship. Springs Valley fell just short of that task but was named state runner-up. This marks the first time since 1992 the Brigade has placed second at state and only the third time in history with the first coming in 1978.

Director of Bands Luke Aylsworth talked about the honor of being the Class D State Runner-Up on Monday. “It was a very exciting season,” he said. “The students deserve credit for continuing the tradition. I am proud of their efforts"

Dear Editor,
I would like to share an event that occurred at the RCA Dome during the Marching Band State Finals on Saturday, Oct. 20. This even moved many in the audience to tears and symbolizes one of the things that makes Orange County great.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Springs Valley Marching Brigade came in second in their class at the state marching band finals Saturday, but three is the troop’s number this year.

Director Luke Aylsworth, the third-generation Aylsworth to direct the Brigade, explained that this year’s show was called “3 Generations.” The show pays homage to the Aylsworth family as well as the family history of the marchers themselves, with three movements called “Grandparents,” “Parents” and “Children.”

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade took home the honors of being a State Finalist for the eighteenth time in school history at the ISSMA South Regional at Indiana State University this past weekend.

Moving 2,400 miles might have been plenty of reason for former French Lick area resident Jermaine Williams to give up his close association with the Springs Valley High School Blackhawk Brigade.

SALEM, Indiana – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade concluded the final regular season weekend with a full load of performances, including one of the best shows of the season at the Salem Invitational on Saturday night. The Brigade brought home third place and the award for best drum majors.

FRENCH LICK, Indiana - In correlation with the French Lick Sesquicentennial, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade will recognize all marching band alumni on Oct. 6. In addition, there will be a special recognition of the 1977 State Championship band.

Sept. 25, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade represented the fine marching tradition in Indianapolis this weekend, capturing second place at the Mejier’s Avon Invitational and first place at the Greenwood Mejier’s Invitational. The Brigade also brought home caption awards for best percussion, general effect, visual, and auxiliary.

Sept. 11, 2007

FRENCH LICK, Indiana – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade did not open the 2007 season the way it was scheduled at Heritage Hills. However, they put on an exhibition show at Springs Valley High School and pleased over 700 fans.

FRENCH LICK, Indiana - Friday Nights in Indiana are reserved for high school football. But, on Saturdays, marching bands take over. Starting this weekend, all three local bands take to the field, working towards a spot at October’s ISSMA State Finals.

July 30, 2007

FRENCH LICK, Indiana – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade ended their annual band camp with great success and high expectations as the look towards the upcoming marching season.