Brigade Celebrates 2007 Season with Annual Banquet

Seniors Felicia, Jessica, Morgan, and Kayla at the conclusion of awards at the ISSMA State Finals in October 2007.

Senior Baritone Jackie smiles before the Brigade leaves for State Finals in October.

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Brigade Celebrates 2007 Season with Annual Banquet

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

FRENCH LICK, Indiana - 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.

Luke Aylsworth, Director of Bands at Springs Valley, recognized those groups who make the season possible such as the principals, office administrative staff, Superintendent Todd Pritchett, and the school board. Aylsworth also acknowledged the parents, band boosters and band support staff, who play a big part in the success of the program year by year as well. Without the assistance from these groups and many others, each marching season would not be successful and flow as smoothly as ours does.

"The band banquet is a great opportunity to acknowledge the hard work, talent and dedication of our students," said Aylsworth. "These students spend a great deal of time committing themselves to this program. It is a wonderful chance to reward them for their efforts."

The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade concluded their 2007 season at the ISSMA State Finals in Indianapolis in October. The Brigade's show, "3 Generations" was good enough for second overall in Class D. That marked the third time in history that the Brigade placed second at state finals. It also was the 18th time the Brigade participated at state finals, most of any activity at Springs Valley.

Each season, the Brigade students vote on a number of awards given away at the banquet. This season’s award winners are listed below.

Most Outstanding 7th Graders:
Chance (Pit) & Stefany (Flute)

Most Outstanding 8th Graders:
Jacob (Saxophone) & Nia (Mellophone)

Most Outstanding 9th Graders:
Ethan (Trombon) & Amanda (Trumpet)

Most Outstanding 10th Graders:
Tommy (Trombone) & Elise (Flute/Drum Major)

Most Outstanding 11th Graders:
Kyle (Trumpet), Kaiti (Flute/Drum Major), and Haley (Drumline)

Most Outstanding 12th Graders:
Darcy Olsen & Jackie Morrison

Most Improved:
Amber Alspaugh

Most Dedicated:
Jackie Morrison & Morgan Deel

Soloist Awards:
Kyle (Trumpet), Zeke (Trumpet), Jackie Morrison, Morgan (Baritone/Drum Major), Drew (Drumline), Tommy (Trombone)

Best Marching:
Derek (Trumpet) & Jackie Morrison

Most Outstanding Member:
Jessica Crall

Best Musicianship:
Darcy Olsen

State Solo & Ensemble Awards:
Kyle (Trumpet) & Drew (Drumline)

Springs Valley Band & Trust Award:
Darcy Olsen

Gilbert L. Aylsworth Award:
Kayla Purkhiser

Patrick Gilmore:
Kyle (Trumpet) and Drew (Drumline)

John Philip Sousa:
Darcy Olsen

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