Statuesque. Have YOU seen it? tch?v=pgs7-ebhcwq. Critics give it rave reviews!!

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1 Uniting Friends, Families and Alumni of the Avon Marching Black & Gold September 2013 Jay Webb, director, added The size of our stage for Statuesque is going to be significant. The show has many props. Also, the music choice for the opener is unique for us. We approached the music design in a different manner, utilizing a smaller drumline than is customary for us but giving them a more prominent part. Additional members of the drumline are added throughout the show. Although last year s show did include a singing ballad, this year s ballad is very different. The closer will also be unique to our style. Statuesque Often the first question asked is Where did the inspiration originate from for this year s show? During Daniel Wile s first year at Avon about 15 years ago, the guard performed a program similar to this year s marching band show, Statuesque. This year s show depicts a garden that is decayed and archaic. Through the process there becomes a rebirth to its former glory. The voice at the beginning of the show is that of an old woman, the singing hints to her reliving her youth while the garden continues to regain its days of beauty and grandeur. The end of the show is still uncertain, leaving the question remaining if the garden will return to its decayed state or remain in full bloom. In many ways, the development of the show and the band learning the music is ahead of where they were last year. There are some marching spots that need to be addressed, but then, that is all part of fine tuning the show throughout the season. For example in June, when the season began, the band only had eight tubas. Usually there are twelve. Two band members have switched instruments to play tuba, leaving a total of ten which offers a much fuller sound. The other challenges will be resolved, on at a time. You are welcome to attend every Thursday evening to the football field, at 8:45pm, to watch the run-through and see the show change and develop weekly. Come Saturdays for the invitationals and competitions and watch the excitement grow! Have YOU seen it? (click on the link below) tch?v=pgs7-ebhcwq (or search YouTube for Avon Band Together Silent Commercial ) Critics give it rave reviews!! Now. Pass it on to your friends and family, by and Facebook and encourage them to join, too! Page 1

2 Community Day, 2013 Community Day, formerly known as T Shirt Day, is when the marching band s show t-shirt is revealed and distributed to all band members. Now known as Community Day, this event continues to grow every year with rousing success. (Band Together board members at the Band Together booth) New this year was a car show with over 30 different makes and models of cars and motorcycles (above). There were also 28 vendors and eight food-service trucks to create a food court to please every appetite! Band Together also had a booth, were we received numerous renewals and new memberships. Last year, show t-shirts from the past 20 years be-decked the display.. This year the booth displayed band and guard uniforms from the past 20 years. The evening started out with performances from the Avon Aerial Orioles Jump Rope Team. Two members of this team, Taylor Nicholson and Natalie Anderson (a MB&G band member) won several awards in the World Jump Rope Competition held in Florida this summer. The Flip Zone, a premier children s gymnastic facility, gave a wonderful performance for the audience. The festivities continued with a tribute to our military. Following the Avon Marching Black and Gold playing the National Anthem, there was the presentation of the colors by Avon Scout Troops 307, 392, and 197. Veterans from all branches of the military were recognized, as well as Boy Scout Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. Captain Shana Gurley and Sergeant First Class Rilnell J. Alford of the United States Army presented the Oath of Enlistment for the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Enlistees. These brave men and women will go into immediate active duty after this ceremony. (story continued on page 8) (Director Jay Webb at the Band Together booth) (1998 In Cheese Lots A Guard Uniform) Page 2

3 Becker From Band to Band Business A Quick chat with. Craig McKenna Those who know Matt Boomer Becker probably remember him playing percussion all four years in the marching band. At the same time Matt was totally immersed in band, he also had a growing interest in computers. For his sixteenth birthday, the only gift he wanted was a specific computer software program. Later, while in college, Matt volunteered at several of the Avon drumline and guard competitions helping with the judges tabulations. Quickly, Matt realized there had to be a better way to tabulate the scores. After testing several prototypes, and using his software knowledge, he started a software company in 2009 called CompetitionSuite. The software is used by organizations that run judged events(including marching band, winter drumline and gymnastics). It brings these events into the 21 st century by replacing tape recorders for judges commentaries and Excel spreadsheets for tabulation. Now, CompetitionSuite software is used by over 100 organizations across the United States including WGI, DCI and IHSCGA. Matt graduated from Purdue in 2008 with a degree in Computer Technology. He lives in Connecticut and works for a company that provides software to Wall Street investors. Craig is a 2004 graduate of Avon High School and a four-year member of the marching band, playing baritone. Craig s most vivid memories include: winning the state championship his freshman year, winning the Bands of America regional competition in Louisville, Kentucky, his junior year, and his final performance at BOA in Indianapolis his senior year. I will never forget those last few sets and just trying to perform my hardest and at the same time soaking it all in, knowing that this was the last time I would perform. Our placement was somewhat irrelevant as I just reflected on what the last four years in the marching band had meant to me, Craig explains. Craig earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue in Following graduation, he spent five years as a band staff member at Plainfield High School. He is currently working at Beckman Coulter, a company that builds centrifuges, liquid handlers and other medical equipment. Craig enjoys his new house in Brownsburg and serving as the newest board member of Avon Band Together. As a side note, for over fourteen years there has been at least one Becker in the band with the only exception being While Matt s siblings never joined the band, his cousins did! Kimberly played flute from , Ashley played bass drum and was a drum major from and Michael has played drums since Since his cousin Ashley married Matt Kikendall (drumline) and Matt s brother, Michael (drumline) is currently in the band, now there are brother-in-laws who have marched. Again, demonstrating the Avon Marching Black & Gold is a family affair! Page 3

4 Matt Riggin Can you find your name? Matt graduated in While in high school, he marched in the AB&G. He received Outstanding Service in Jazz award his senior year. He is currently at Indiana University studying biology and music with plans to continue his education in graduate school pursuing jazz studies. (Matt is third from the right of the drum major, his left leg extended) For the past two years, he has been a member of the Indiana University Marching 100 (above) and played at Bands of America Grand Nationals in November 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium as the exhibition band. Matt comments that it was fun and "felt a little different" playing on the field at Lucas Oil but NOT in a competition mode. Matt returned to the stadium the following year, in February 2012, as a member of the Indiana University Marching 100 to perform in part of the halftime show for the Superbowl, describing it as a "once-in-alifetime" experience. The plaque listing the Band Together Charter members is now hanging in the band hall way. This year s campaign is targeted to increase our donation to the band s critical need areas, including the pit.. We need at least 130 members new and renewals to reach our goal. Thus far, with the marching band season just beginning, we have over 60 members almost half-way to our goal! That is exciting! Encouraging! Do you know of others who would like to support the marching band program? Who want to help ensure the standard of excellence and opportunities that it offers to students continues? Information about becoming a Band Together member is located on the last page of this newsletter. Summer of 2012 Matt joined in Xenosound.This independent rock group traveled along the east coast, with gigs in Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and finishing in Brooklyn, New York City. This past spring, 2013, as a member of the Jefferson Street Parade Band from Bloomington, Indiana, Matt played at the opening of the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis. Matt's group, the Backburner Trio, also returned to Avon and performed jazz compositions at Artscape, the annual fundraiser for the Avon- Washington Township Public Library. (story continued on page 8) Page 4

5 Indiana State Fair Blue Ribbon Winner Kara Mason Congratulations, Madelyn Hayes Ahhhh sweet was Kara Mason s first response when she learned she had won a blue ribbon at the Hendricks County Fair and was eligible to compete at this year s Indiana State Fair. Kara was awarded a blue ribbon and a Special Merit ribbon for her drawing. Kara has always had an interest in drawing. She started taking private lessons four years ago. Since then, she has competed every year at the county fair and for the past two years at the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition at Butler University. As Kara considered what she would enter in this year s drawing competition at the fair, she stumbled on a photograph taken during the 2011 marching season of the show Oddities. She had found her inspiration! Done entirely in charcoal, the picture depicts the mellophone line performing at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kara is currently a junior at Avon High School and a tenor sax player in the marching band. She plans to continue participating in the marching band, taking drawing lessons, and competing in drawing competitions. Great job on your first place win, Kara, and best of luck to you in the future! (Madelyn performing her clarinet solo during the competition) Last month, Senior Madelyn Hayes was crowned Avon s Distinguished Young Woman 2013 (formerly known as Junior Miss).. In February, she will travel to Kokomo to compete along with 22 other contestants for the Indiana title. In addition to the overall first place finish, Madelyn also won the talent, fitness and interview awards, and collectedthe Be Your Best Self award as well. (winner was selected from essays each contestant wrote). She also placed first runner-up in scholastics. Madelyn first became interested in the DYW program last year when a friend asked her to serve as her Little Sister. Each contestant has a Little Sister the week prior to the competition to help do last minute preparations and to be a moral support when nerves start to get a little jittery. Madelyn explained she had a really fun time as a Little Sister and decided to return this year, as a contestant herself. + (Kara s winning sketch) Page 5 This year, during the weeks leading up to the pageant, the friendships with the other contestants that she developed was her biggest surprise:a good surprise Madelyn emphasizes. She explained that through all the community involvement the contestants did together, deep friendships were formed. (story continued on page 8)

6 Matt Harloff Mr. Harloff is very quick to explain that the Avon community in general, and Avon High School in particular should be very proud of their support of Carolina Crown. Carolina Crown has great appreciation and respect for Avon: appreciation for our years of support, and respect for our quality program. Mr. Harloff notes, Each year Crown rehearses on our turf, enjoying our support and hospitality in addition to our facilities. The Crown staff has often commented that Avon feels like a second home. He continues, Carolina Crown, and even the staff of Drum Corps International, recognize and appreciate Avon s high quality, top-performing band program. I believe these mutually respectful relationships benefit all three programs by fostering an environment where music educators can continually improve their skills. (Brothers Ben and Matt Harloff, holding awards) This past August, Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps won the 2013 World Championship. (To put it in perspective, this win is comparable to Avon s first win at Bands of America Grand Nationals.) In addition, Matt Harloff, Assistant Director of Bands at Avon High School and the Brass Caption Head for Carolina Crown, was awarded the Jim Ott Memorial Award for High Brass. This is the fourth time in the past five years (2009, ) that Mr. Harloff has received this honor! Prior to the world competition in August, Crown traveled to over 15 states, performing along both coastlines. Mr. Harloff traveled to California to join the tour in mid-june. He traveled for four weeks, including performances in Texas, Minnesota, Georgia and Pennsylvania. He returned to Avon for two weeks of band camp practice before rejoining Crown in Indiana for final practices before the world championships began. He is grateful to his wife and children for their support of this rigorous schedule that kept him away from home for most of the summer. Matt Harloff joined Carolina Crown in While there are more memorable moments and memories than could ever fit on this page, the most special part of the entire Carolina Crown experience for him is to be able to share it with his younger brother, Ben. Ben is currently a middle school band director in Minnesota, but in the summers the brothers team up and travel together to work with Crown. (Matt Harloff directing from the media box) (Matt Harloff directing from the field) Page 6

7 Coming soon.. Web on the Webb Interviews with the directors discussing the show, tidbits and triva from their perspective. And more! October will be a fireside chat-styled talk with Jay Webb discussing things such as the challenges this year s show brings and one crazy thing he has NEVER admitted to his mother he did until now!!! Back by popular demand Wednesday with Webb Wednesday, November 13 6:30pm, AHS Band Room FREE to Band Together members and current students with ID $5 person for non-members Director Jay Webb will review the tape of the Band s performance at the Bands of America regional competition at Lucas Oil Stadium. He will discuss our strengths and weaknesses in the performance and give a summary of the strategy for competing at the national competition. Last year attendance was so high that latecomers were standing room only. Plan to attend and come early!! Come watch the band perform at the following competitions Sept. 28 Avon, Avon Invitational Oct. 5 Muncie, Bands of America Regional Oct. 12 Center Grove, Invitational Oct. 19 Plainfield, ISSMA Regional Oct. 26 Ben Davis ISSMA Semi-State Nov. 2 Lucas Oil Stadium ISSMA State Nov. 9 Lucas Oil Stadium Bands of America Regional Nov. 16 Lucas Oil Stadium Bands of America Finals Nov. 26 Avon, Band Awards Night Avon Community Heritage Festival Kick-Off Event THURSDAY, SEPT 26, 7 PM Free Admission Hendricks Regional Health Stadium at Avon High School The Avon Community Heritage Festival has a decade-long tradition of celebration, including a parade through the streets of Avon and events all day long at Washington Township Park. This year a new event, featuring the Bande,will be held on the Thursday evening prior to the usual Saturday activities. The Kick-off event is a great way to recognize and thank some of Avon s heroes, says Doug Waterfield, Chairman of the Heritage Festival Committee. He continues, Teachers of the Year from each of Avon s schools, the Citizen of the Year, and local veterans will be honored. Local icons are an important part of our heritage. They form an integral part of the fabric of our community. Mr. Waterfield encourages residents to attend the event to show their appreciation. Members of the Heritage Festival have long hoped for a way to involve the Avon Band in the Festival, but the Band s competition schedule has historically made coordination difficult. The Band program and the High School itself are integral parts of the Town s identity and history, says Jay Webb, Director of Bands for the school corporation. But with the rigorous practice and competition schedule that puts Avon in contention for state and national championships each year, it has been tough to find time to participate in the Saturday Festival events. This Kick-Off will be a unique way to bring Heritage Festival and the Band together. Page 7

8 Community Day (continued from page 2) Matt Riggin (contnued from page 4) The evening concluded with the inaugural performance of the 2013 competition show Statuesque. Under the direction of Jay Webb, with drum majors Mikaela Loker, Max Cathala, Betsy Murphy, Kayla Klemmensen and Leanna Runyan, the band performed the first two sections of the show. Band Together along with the Avon Band Boosters want to thank all of the car show and vendor participants, our special guests who were recognized, and everyone who attended for making this year s Community day a great success! Madelyn Hayes (continued from page 5) The week of competition was stressful (she was so glad for her Little Sister support!). For competition Madelyn performed a clarinet solo, Sonata Four by Beethoven, which was originally for the piano but she played a clarinet translation. Since the talent portion could only be 90 seconds in length, she selected a portion from the middle of the piece that showcased her abilities and her strong points. Madelyn continued, saying I feel really blessed and honored to the Distinguished Young Women of Avon program, and I am excited to go to the state level. (Matt is holding his trumpet, behind the drummer) It was "an honor", Matt says, to participate in the Avon WWII Memorial Park dedication ceremony with the Avon High School jazz band along with his former classmate, Scott Burns. This fall Matt will return to IU to continue his studies and performing as a member of Upfolk ("street opera") and Mindparade (rock 'n' roll). In the meantime, she will continue in her senior year at Avon byplaying clarinet in the marching band and in Wind Symphony. While she is undecided of the college she will attend, her future plans include pursing a bachelor s degree in nursing with an emphasis in pediatrics. Page 8

9 Please complete and mail with check. To use a credit card, please go to avonband.com/bandtogether. Membership Levels Renew/Join Today!! INDIVIDUAL Membership: $25 (current student/graduate within past 5 years) $40 (all others) -Access to website and newsletter -Member s only pin -Lanyard to new members -25% discount on one-of-a-kind Band Together T-Shirt FAMILY Membership: $50 (family of current band member) $80 (all others) -Access to website and newsletter -Two member s only pins (additional pins available for purchase for $5 each) adsf -Two lanyards to new members (additional lanyards available for purchase for $5 each) -25% discount on one-of-a-kind Band Together T-shirt PREMIUM Membership: For individuals who donate $100 or more: -Access to website and newsletter -Member s only pin -Lanyard to new members FREE admission to: Avon Marching Band Invitational ($7 value) Indiana Percussion Association event ($8 value) Community Day ($5 value) FREE one-of-a-kind Band Together T-shirt ($15 value) Membership name: Maiden name (if applicable, for alumna): Names of immediate family (for FAMILY memberships): Complete mailing address: Phone: Relationship to Band Program: Student or graduate within past 5 years Avon graduate more than 5 years out Family of current band student Family without student currently in band General supporter with no prior relationship School years with the Avon Band: If previously in the Band, please check all that apply: Hornline Drumline Guard Pit Drum Major Yes, it is acceptable to use my name on membership rosters, newsletters and other appropriate promotional documents. (Names and contact information will NEVER be sold. Contact information will not be shared.) No, do not share my name. ( $25) Current student or graduate within 5 years ($40) Other individual ($100 or more) PREMIER individual ($50) Family of CURRENT student ($80) Other family ($5) Additional or replacement lanyard ($5) Additional or replacement members only pin One-of-a-kind Band Together T-shirt (FREE to Premier members, $11/members, $15/non-members) Indicate sizes (adult sizes only) and quantities below: Small Medium Large XL 2XL NOTE: Shirts must be ordered on/before August 1. Delivered on or after August 24. This deadline is firm. Additional Donations: ($10) Drumsticks (1 year lifespan) ($40) Mallets (6 month lifespan) or Flag (2 year lifespan) ($50) Rifle (2 year lifespan) ($75) Horn Mouthpiece (3 year lifespan) ($200) Drum stand or harness (3 year lifespan) ($500) Bass drum (5 year lifespan; donor name plate included) ($2200) Trumpet (10 year lifespan) Other amount Page 9