Springs Valley places fifth at state finals

WE GOT THE BEAT
Snare Drummers Alex, Scooter, and Drew at state finals on Saturday.

ALL IN STEP
The Brigade all symphonized during the '08 show.

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Springs Valley places fifth at state finals

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

INDIANAPOLIS – The Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade ended their 2008 season with a fifth place finish at the ISSMA State Finals on Saturday.

In front of nearly 10,000 marching band fans, the Brigade took to the field at 4:10pm, opening up Class D action. At the end of the night, the Brigade joined the other nine bands of the field for the awards ceremony. This capped a long day for the Brigade, which begin at 6:30am back in French Lick.

“We have had a tremendous season. It has been another year of growth, improvement, and achievement. This is our third year in a row to qualify for ISSMA State Finals. That is a huge honor and quite the challenge,” stated Director of Bands Luke Aylsworth.

“You have to look at a fifth place finish and a band that is a State Finalist as a huge success. If you view it any other way, you do a disservice to 17 of the 18 Springs Valley bands that made it to State Finals prior to this season. Of those 18, only one group was a State Champion,” added Aylsworth. “Each of those bands etched their place in Springs Valley history as a State Finalist and made our program what it is today.”

The Brigade will look to add their 20th state finals appearance next year with their 2009 show, currently in the design process.

Forest Park, who last won a championship in 2001, knocked of defending two-time champion Lewis Cass to with the state title. Lewis Cass finished second for the third time in six years. The Pride of Paoli also appeared at state finals and finished ninth.

Springs Valley capped this season with their third consecutive trip to the ISSMA State Finals. Throughout the season, the Brigade has won first place at three of their four contests and had a color guard who won their color guard award at each event it was awarded. This is an amazing feat given the color guard was made up of many younger guard members.

Also logged into history was the Brigade’s first trip to a national marching band event, Band of America Lucas Oil Sound Check, in nearly 10 years. Along with this event, Springs Valley became the first class D band to perform in Lucas Oil Stadium. If you recall last season, the Brigade was the last class D band to perform in the RCA (Hoosier) Dome before its closure.

Springs Valley will graduate 10 outstanding seniors this year. All have marched multiple years with the Blackhawk Brigade. This class of seniors includes Damon Galloway (Pit), John Smith (Bass Drum), Alex Pierce (Snare Drum), Drew Hill (Snare Drum), Haley Bowling (Bass Drum), Kaiti Wilson (Drum Major/Flute), Kyle Apple (Trumpet), Zeke Harger (Trumpet), Billy Watson (Euphonium), and Lucius Olsen (Mellophone).

“The students, parents, staff, administration, and community have been wonderful this year as always. Trevor & Teresa Apple, Jill Hinkley and Danielle Crowder have been outstanding band booster officers. It has been a privilege to work with them this season. Also, the community support is much appreciated and motivating. I also cannot say enough about our bus drivers, semi drivers, box parents, chaperones, and helpers. These individuals work just as hard as the performers to produce a great show and season. We have a great support system and our whole team of individuals just amazes me every year. I truly appreciate each of them and their willingness to help educate the students at Springs Valley,” concluded Aylsworth.

The Blackhawk Brigade will hold their annual marching band banquet on November 17 at the French Lick Resort. More information about the banquet will be available on the website (www.blackhawkbrigade.com).

NOTE: Article published in the Springs Valley Herald and Bedford Times-Mail.

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