| Making
History with Brigade's '3 Generations' performance
By: Jermaine Williams
info@blackhawkbrigade.com
SV Brigade Media Relations
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"
The Lewis Cass Marching Kings won the Class
“D” state finals while Forest Park finished
third and the Pride of Paoli in sixth. Other state champions
include Avon from Class “A”, Greenwood from
Class “B”, and Gibson Southern from Class “C”.
The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade program
is one of the most decorated programs in ISSMA Class “D”
with 18 state finals appearances. However, the state finals
appearances are not what the Brigade is geared toward each
season. “Our goal is to get better every season and
every contest,” added Aylsworth. “Once again,
we have met our goal. We do not need judges or trophies
to tell us we got better. The students and staff knew the
entire season.”
“The awards are just by-products
of our system of music education,” stated Aylsworth.
“The goal is to get better as a musician, performer
and person. However, it is nice to be rewarded for our efforts."
The music education system has been good to the Brigade
this season. They picked up three wins at invitationals
including being named Grand Champion at the Southern Indiana
Marching Festival at Charlestown in September.
Following being named State Runner-up,
the Brigade came home to a champion’s celebration.
Members of the local police and fire departments came out
to take the Brigade on a victory lap through downtown. The
Brigade was then dropped off at the gymnasium for a pep
rally. Nearly 300 people showed up to celebrate with the
Brigade at 12:15am. Superintendant of Schools Todd Pritchett
congratulated the Brigade on a great season before introducing
Aylsworth.
"I think the community, the school
board, the administration, the band boosters and parents,
the staff and most of all the students deserve the credit
for this season,” stated Aylsworth. “They have
demonstrated dedication, support, loyalty and excellence.
It is an honor to serve as their director."
The Springs Valley community is grateful
to have Aylsworth as part of the music program. He has brought
back leadership, expertise, and willingness to teach the
students about music. Luke, along with this father, John,
and grandfather, Gilbert, have touched thousands of students
and adults here in the Valley and around the state. Their
loyalty and dedication to the program have aided in building
the program to what it is today.
The Aylsworth Family has covered three
generations of students. It’s fitting that this year’s
show was titled “3 Generations.” Many students
have been a part of the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade.
This year’s second place finish at state finals coupled
with last season’s first appearance at state since
1994 has re-opened the door to Springs Valley and the marching
band community. The Blackhawk Brigade’s accomplishments
this season are a testament to the type of inspiration Aylsworth
instills into the students and the type of heart each of
the students have. Through sweat, tears, laughter, and hard
work, the Springs Valley program has bounced back from the
lowest point in 2001 to what you saw on the RCA Dome floor
Saturday. This was a demonstration of a leader willing to
assist in the rebuilding of a program and a group of young
students saying “yes” when called on to “restore
the tradition.” Welcome the State Runners-Up, your
Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade. Congratulations!
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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