FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Similar to athletics, graduation brings about leadership changes. The same applies in the world on marching bands.  Luke Aylsworth has named Nia Seitz the new drum major of the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade, taking over for graduating senior Elise McElroy.

LYNNVILLE, Ind. – In a program with such a rich history, it can sometimes be hard to find something the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade has not accomplished.  On April 9, the sixth grade band did just that.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – After marching band season concludes in October, most think that the life of band director calms down.  That is not for the case of our own Luke Aylsworth. 

INDIANAPOLIS – Since December, members of the Springs Valley High School Winter Percussion Ensemble have been working on their 2010 show titled, Dystopia.  This past Saturday, Springs Valley earned a historic third place medal at the Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) State Finals at Ben Davis High School.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – The Blackhawk Brigade has had an exciting year. For the first time we added a recorded voice to our theme of Lasting Impressions. Each band member submitted a name to honor as someone who has left a lasting impression on our lives.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – The Springs Valley Trombone Section has four members this year.  They return the veteran lineup of Tommy L., Landon P., Chris G., and Ryan W.  This group of fine, good-looking gentle men has helped lead the Brigade all season long.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – The 2009 mellophone section consists of three remarkable young students. Their names are Nia S., Nathan A., and Jesse H..

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – For six years now, I have been a member of the Blackhawk Brigade. The last five of those years have been spent in the low brass, specifically the baritone section. As a senior, I have had time to watch my fellow baritones grow in both their playing abilities and in their lives.

INDIANAPOLIS – It was history in the making for the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade this past weekend as they ended their 2009 campaign as National Finalist at the Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals on Saturday.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Thursday morning, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade will head to Indianapolis and compete for a national championship in the Music for All, Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals.

INDIANAPOLIS – On Wednesday Night, Indiana Marching.com (IM.com) presented their 2009 award winners.  The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade won four IM.com honors including Band of the Year.

INDIANAPOLIS – In their 20th trip to the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) Marching Band State Finals, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade earned their 16th top five finish as they were awarded 3rd Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. — Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade members have been asked to spend this marching season reflecting on the theme of a show that took the band to state finals on Saturday.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. - Hard work and genuine fun are combined this week for marching band students at Paoli and Springs Valley high schools as they prepare for Saturday’s state finals.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – This weekend, Lucas Oil Stadium will be transformed to the marching band palace of Indiana as 40 bands takeover the massive venue for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Finals.

FRANKLIN, Ind. – Following another stellar performance at the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) Class D Semi-State, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade earned their fourth consecutive trip to the state marching band finals.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – For the three Orange County bands, this weekend could be history.  All three will be traveling to Franklin Community High School for the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) Class D South Semi-State.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade survived a blustery day at Evansville Central High School and received a ticket to the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) Class D Semi-State this weekend.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Now that the regular season is over, all local bands have turned their attention to Evansville Central High School and the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Class D South Regional.

GREENWOOD, Ind. – In the final regular season contest, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade won the Cavalcade of Champions contest at Center Grove High School.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – As we near the midpoint of October, the regular season is quickly coming to an end.  The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade will have their regular season come to an end as they head to the Cavalcade of Champions at Center Grove High School in Greenwood.  The Blackhawk Brigade will compete in Class D and meet up with 2007 and 2008 State Champion Lewis Cass.  The Brigade will take the field at 3:52 pm with awards scheduled for 5:50 pm.

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

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – The Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) version of the State Marching Band Tournament begins this weekend with the District Competition.

INDIANAPOLIS – Dodging raindrops in Indianapolis, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade swept both ends of their double-header at Avon and Greenwood this weekend.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – The forecast looks a little wet this weekend.  However, that will not detour the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade as they head to Indianapolis for a pair of contest on Saturday.

PAOLI, Ind. – Last Saturday, the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade took over Class 3A at the 27th annual Pride of Paoli Invitational. The Brigade also won awards for best music, visual, general effect, percussion, and auxiliary.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Many of the bands in the region will head to Paoli for the 27th Annual Pride of Paoli Invitational. The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade will compete in class 3A competition and take the field at 8:03 pm.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Saturday night the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade performed in the Evansville Central Invitational.  Due to the late performance time, the Brigade left before awards.  However, once they heard the news, they were astonished.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Following a successful showing at the Springs Valley Festival of Marching Bands last week, the Blackhawk Brigade takes to the road for the first of their two trips to Evansville this year.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – This past Saturday, the second annual Springs Valley Festival of Marching Bands entertained over 1,200 fans at football stadium.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - By his calculation, the former Springs Valley High School marching band drum major never missed a band competition from 1996 until about three years ago. And I don’t really think the contests he has missed since then ought to count against him. That’s because when Jermaine can’t physically be at a Springs Valley marching contest, he’s there in spirit.

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.

FRENCH LICK, Ind. – On Saturday, the 2009 marching band season will get underway with the second annual Springs Valley Festival of Marching Bands.

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Taking on the task of composing a piece of music in memory of someone who has passed can be a formidable one. When James Kull, conductor of the St. Charles East High School Wind Ensemble in St. Charles, Illinois, called me and asked if I would write a work such as this, I was reluctant. I closed the conversation by saying I would think it over.

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.