Aylsworth
gets nod as Director of the Year
By: Jermaine Williams
info@blackhawkbrigade.com
SV Brigade Webmaster/Instructor
Last Wednesday, Springs Valley Director
of Bands Luke Aylsworth was named the IndianaMarching.com
Director of the Year.
Aylsworth was given this award due to the
success of the Blackhawk Brigade this season and the growth
the band program has experienced during the last six years
under his direction.
Aylsworth begin his career at Orleans High
School with a one-year reign as director of the Bulldog
Regiment in 2000. The following year, he took the Springs
Valley opening and began the “Restoring of a Tradition”
campaign with the Brigade in 2001.
In 2001, the Brigade shown signs of improvement
by growing over 100% in enrolment. By the end of the season,
the Brigade had over forty members.
Under the direction of Aylsworth, Springs
Valley started to become competitive. The 2002 band grew
in membership again to a much higher sixty-three member
band. In 2001 and 2002, the band received a Silver Division
rating at the ISSMA District competition.
The 2003 season was a breakthrough year
as the Brigade qualified for Regionals.
Then in 2004, the Brigade received a gold
division at regional, first time since 1997. They missed
the state cut line by a few tenths of a point, motivating
the Brigade for the next year.
With a band of eighty members, the 2005
edition of the Blackhawk Brigade become a fan favorite and
started to become recognized throughout the state. The 2005
band was ranked in the Indianamarching.com top 10 several
times throughout the season. In addition, the band also
received a Gold Division rating at District and Regional
competition.
The 2006 season, dubbed “The time
is NOW” ended up being exactly that as Aylsworth led
the Brigade to the State Finals. This was the first time
since 1994 (Aylsworth’s senior year in high school,
that the Brigade had made finals).
"Anytime a group of individuals nominates
you for an award, you feel extremely honored. I think the
award is a direct reflection of the sacrifice, attitude
and dedication our bands have displayed the last six years.
People start to take notice when a band is growing and getting
better,” mentioned Aylsworth.
Aylsworth is also an established composer/arranger
of percussion ensemble music. He has two published pieces
with Drop6 Media and Tapspace Publications. In addition,
Aylsworth has found time to start his own business. He currently
operates Hober Reber Productions. This production company
focuses on services for the marching arts activity.
IndianaMarching.com is an independent,
educational, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing,
receiving, and sharing information related to Indiana high
school marching activities.
IndianaMarching.com is not affiliated,
associated with, or governed by any group or organization
whatsoever, with the exception of the Indiana Music Educational
Network, our parent company.
NOTE: Article published in the Springs
Valley Herald and Bedford Times-Mail.
Contest Results can be found at:
Indiana
Marching.com and/or
Simply
Instrumental.com
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