Uniting Friends, Families and Alumni of the Avon Marching Black & Gold May 2013 If you have ever experienced Music Theatre, you know you don t want to miss it. If you have never experienced Music Theatre, you are in for an unforgettable evening! You say you want a Revolution? We all want to change the world.. Looking for another solution? We have a plan! Revolution 2013 Once every three years the Avon Performing Arts Department showcases the sights and sounds of an award-winning music program. Join us for a night you will long remember. Students from dance, band, orchestra, guard and drumline will be featured Over 400 students performing! More than 15 different performances in two acts in one jam-packed evening! You won t want to miss this one! The Revolution is Coming - Are you Ready? Tickets are on sale now (purchase soon, performances sell out) Thursday and Friday May 23 and 24-7:00 pm Avon High School Auditorium Adults $7.00 Students/Senior Citizens $5.00 Page 1
Guard 2013 The AVON WORLD GUARD competed this year with their show entitled Looking Through Rose Colored Glasses. They finished strong, placing third in state and fifth in nationals held at Dayton, Ohio. After taking a year off from competing at the national level, this is their first year back. They ended the season in the top five in the country. They came back, and they came back strong, explained Director of Bands Jay Webb. World Winter Drumline Captures 2013 State Championship The World Drumline captured the state championship title in their division with the show entitled Avon, INK. Their show featured ten rolling plexiglass panels, fifteen drum carts and a tarp graphic of script writings and ink spills. Center Grove came in second, Franklin Central placed third and Plainfield High School placed fourth. Avon A Drumline Avon A Drumline finished second in state competition with their show Wheels of Life. Their performance took place on a tarp resembling the Game of Life gameboard complete with a spinner wheel. The cymbal players and snare drummers each took their turn on the wheel during the show. Spectactors called it mesmerizing to watch the snares drumming while lying on their backs, spinning on a wheel! The AVON A GUARD performed It s Oh So Quiet. They, too, are looking forward to returning to competition next year. Page 2
Sean Cook, Class of 2012 Sean Cook plays more at games held in the Bankers Life Fieldhouse than any of the Indiana Pacers players. What? How can this be? Sean is a quad drum player for the High Octane Drumline, the group that performs during all Pacers home games!! In the fall of Sean s senior year at Avon High School, he applied for and received an audition for High Octane. The season was shortened due to the players league walkout, but Sean had experienced something he enjoyed and knew he wanted to continue. Now a freshman studying music education at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Sean travels to Indianapolis for every home game. High Octane s main purpose is to pump up the crowd. Since his rookie year of playing for the crowds is behind him, Sean explains that he is less nervous and more comfortable performing. When asked how he would describe the experience, he simply replied It s fun! High Octane is part of Pacers Entertainment, and each performer earns $50 for each regular season game and $75 for playoff games. High Octane has played at Carb Day for the Indy 500 as well as corporate meetings. In addition to his school and Pacers schedules, Sean is an assistant manager for Finish Line in Terre Haute and a drum tech for Lincoln High School in Vincennes. Sean s plans are to continue performing in High Octane next basketball season. Best of luck to you, Sean, in your studies and your time with High Octane and the Pacers!! Avon Jazz Band Strikes Gold! The Avon High School Jazz Band plays various concerts, contests and events throughout each year, even into the summer. Members of the jazz band form two smaller combos, providing a Pit Band for both show choirs (the Avon Accents and the Avon Attraction), and a smaller combo that supports various banquets and other smaller functions. On March 2nd our jazz band earned a gold rating at ISSMA Jazz Contest in Brownsburg, with a solid score of 14 (11 is a perfect score, and 16.5 is still a Gold). We performed compositions by Don Menza, Lee Morgan, and Andy Clark. Mr. Webb addressed the jazz band at our most recent rehearsal, complimenting the members on their Gold rating and efforts that support our pursuit of the ISSMA All Music Award. The Jazz Combo performed at the Barnes & Noble Book Fair at Metropolis on March 2nd. This event supports our Avon HS media center. Our Show Choir Pit helped the Accents qualify for ISSMA State Show Choir Competition. That contest will be March 16th at North Central HS. Other events scheduled this year include the IIAAA banquet, the Academic Achievement banquet, the Avon WWII Memorial dedication ceremony, and anticipated coordination with the Hendricks County Foundation and the Avon Optimists. Page 3
It s Time to Renew Your Membership for the 2013-14 Season A Q&A Chat With Erinn Owen Renew by August 1st and get a discount on one-of-a-kind Band Together T-shirt. Renew at the Premium level and get the shirt for free! As you know, Band Together is about maintaining the band s tradition of excellence by uniting friends, families, and alumni of the Avon Marching Black & Gold. Band Together memberships run from June 1 to May 31 to mirror the band season, so the time to re-new is upon us. Now that Band Together is in its second year, charter memberships are no longer available. However, we have developed the Premier Membership to recognize supporters who give $100 or more. As a Premier Member, you receive free admission to Community Day, the Avon Invitational, and the Indiana Percussion Association event in the spring. These free tickets alone are a $25 value! In addition, you get the one-ofa-kind Band Together t-shirt (a $15 value) for FREE. Not interested in Premier Membership? That s okay, there s a membership that right for you! No matter what level you choose, renew today by going to avonband.com/bandtogether or by printing the form at the end of this newsletter and returning it with a check payable to Band Together. Erinn is a 1996 graduate of Avon High School and a four-year member of the marching band. When did you start in the Avon Band Program? I started band in the 5th grade with Mr. Row. I played the Alto Saxophone because my cousin had played Alto in high school and I could borrow his instrument. When Mr. Webb came to Avon my sophomore year, he asked me to play Baritone. I had never played a brass instrument before so it was quite a challenge. After one marching season playing baritone, I returned to the Alto for the rest of my time in high school. My senior year the Alto Saxophone section was all girls. It was the greatest year in my marching band career. In my senior year I was able to participate in the Cadet Winter Guard. It was a great experience. I never really held any position in band but was given the Espirit De Corps award my senior year. I guess I was more of a cheer leader than anything else. (continued on the next column) Page 4
(Erinn Owen interview continued) What was your fondest memory of band? Wow, there are so many!! The first time I marched was in the Hoosier Dome. The last time I marched was in the RCA Dome. Receiving the Espirit De Corps award was such an honor. But my best memory was meeting my now husband, Jeff. We were introduced by a mutual friend. Thanks Don! (Samantha Lofton Henley interview continued) While I was a member of the Avon Band program I made many friends who I still appreciate today. I learned a great deal about time management and what you can achieve through hard work. Being involved in the band was a family activity. My dad helped the marching band purchase the first semi-tractor and then trained some dads to drive the tractor. My parents drove the semi for marching band and drumline. They also chaperoned frequently when my sister and brother were both in band. It meant a lot that we were all involved in some way. What has happened since you were in band? I went to work immediately after graduation and continued working while I attended college. I married Jeff Owen and we moved to the northwest side. Last year, I was asked to be a part of something very special called Band Together. Since band was such a huge part of my high school career I had to say yes and support what is very important to a lot of kids. Erinn currently is the Vice President/General Manager for T.T.S.I. Holdings, Inc. (d/b/a Temple Trucking Services) working with her father and brother in the family business. Where is.. Samantha Loften Henley What has happened since you were in band? Since graduating from Avon in 2004, I have earned a degree from IUPUI and taught many local color guards. I am currently teaching the color guard at Franklin Central High School. I also work am employed by Globe Star, an agency that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, my mother, Angie Lofton, and I organize workers for the Pepwear fundraiser at BOA Grand Nationals. This allows many members of the Avon Marching Black and Gold to fundraise some of their band fees and expenses. Samantha as a member of the Avon Guard from Fall of 2000 to Winter of 2004. She was a member when AMB&G won their first Class A State Title, the Winter Guard's WGI Open Class Championship and the first two WGI World Class Silver Medal finishes. What are some memories of your band experience? The program was growing greatly while I was a member. During my senior year I received the awards for Most Outstanding Service/Fall Guard, Most Outstanding Service/Winter Guard and Most Outstanding Student/Color Guard for 2003-04. (continued on the next column) Page 5
Wind Symphony News The Wind Symphony competed at state competition with two classic band pieces and a new piece that was written only a couple of years ago, a very interesting work as described by Jay Webb. They came in fourth place at the competition. Carmel came in first, Lawrence Central placed second and North Central placed third. Mr. Webb continued, The Wind Ensemble played a very difficult program and have been working extremely hard the past three weeks. They played their very best, I don t know if they could have played much better. I am very pleased with their efforts and performance. Mr. Harloff did a great job of conducting them, as well. In case you had not heard, Wind Ensemble is now called Wind Symphony! Known as Wind Ensemble for over 15 years, this is the first season for the name change. (Just a word of caution, do not get confused with the similarity in names of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra!) Save the Date!! September 28 The Avon 2013 Invitational will be Saturday, September 28. This is the single largest fundraising event for the Avon Marching Black & Gold. EVERYONE is needed to make this event a success in every way. Plan NOW to volunteer! (Membership information and enrollment form are on the following page.) Golf Outing August 18 This year s golf outing is Sunday, August 18, at West Chase Golf Course, Four Holloway Blvd., Brownsburg. Lunch and registration begins at Noon, shot gun start is at 1:30pm. You do not need to be an expert golfer to join the fun. Register as a foursome or a single. Come have a great time and help support the band. For more registration and payment information and forms, go to http://avonband.com/golf/. Community Day is Coming You may remember it as T-Shirt Day, now called Community Day, this annual community get-together will be Saturday, August 24. During Community Day, the marching band will perform the first few minutes of their show for the upcoming season, the portions they learned at band camp earlier during the summer. Director Jay Webb will be speaking. Local gourmet food trucks will be providing various menu items for purchase. This is an opportunity to support our kids and reach out to the community with an evening of food and fun. Support the Marching Black & Gold and plan to attend. Page 6
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: Email: 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 7