NORTH DAVIESS BANDS REPRESENTED

IN INDIANAPOLIS DURING DCI WEEKEND

On August 8 and 9, eight middle school band students represented North Daviess Jr./Sr. High School at an event known as “INPact Band – Indiana’s Future Band”. Drum Corps International sponsors this event and it is a middle school honor band featuring students from across the state of Indiana. During the weekend, students have the opportunity to perform as a part of DCI World Championship weekend held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium. This year was the 13th year for the INPact Band event which has been held annually since 2013 with a couple of years off due to the COVID pandemic. The program is designed to motivate middle school students to consider the arts as they make important skill development decisions for their high school years and beyond which directly impact lifelong behaviors such as teamwork, dependability, perseverance, and commitment. In order to be a part of the band, students are nominated by their band directors based on talent, effort, and leadership criteria. To complete the nomination, students fill out an application in the spring and submit the application for review. This year, there were close to 3000 applications received from around the state of Indiana. From those applications 700 students were chosen to be a part of the mass honor band. During the weekend, musical instruction is provided by middle school band directors serving on a volunteer basis leading small groups and assisting the mass ensemble. This year’s guest conductors were Dr. Jon Noworyta, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Instrumental Activities, and Outreach at the University of Indianapolis and Dr. Eric Scott, Director of Bands at Indiana State University. Guest artist on trumpet was Al Chez who performed for many years on late night television as part of the house band on the Late Show With David Letterman and even has the distinction of being a guest character on The Simpsons animated television show. In addition to the 2-day event, a new event was added this year for more students to be involved - 300 more to be exact! Those students were part of the BANDtastic! event and checked-in to the Indiana Convention Center on Saturday morning and practiced on their own for a few hours and then later in the day joined up with the INPact Band for a mass band of 1000 middle school students! The INPact Band students had a two performance opportunities during the weekend – one at Monument Circle Friday night. The final performance, which concluded the event Saturday evening, when the INPact and BANDtastic! students performed together on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium in front of 15,000 spectators prior to Finals of the DCI World Championship, a 3 day competitive event of DCI’s Marching Music’s Major League. Representing North Daviess in the INPact Band this year were 9th grade students Salem Gash – Clarinet, daughter of Ryan and Ashley Gash; Liam Harting – Clarinet, son of Clay and Brandy Harting; Landyn Riggins – Tenor Saxophone, son of David and Kim Riggins; John Caines - Mellophone, son of Tylor and Katrina Caines. 8th grade students were Alison Gabrel - Clarinet, daughter of Louie and Heather Gabrel; KayeLee Jones - Alto Saxophone, daughter of Savilla and Bryan Jones; and Rylan Myers - Trumpet, son of Laura and John Jones and Jon and Victoria Myers. Representing the 7th grade was Violet Gardner - Trombone, daughter of James and Kayla Gardner. Students representing North Daviess as members of the BANDtastic! one day event were 7th grade students Samantha Heshelman - Flute, daughter of Mike and Leslie Heshelman; Brentley Boney - Alto Saxophone, son of Anjuli Laughlin and James Boney; and Jeb Milligan - Alto Saxophone, son of Josh and Shaylee Milligan.

Three former participants returned this year to serve as mentors. During their time with INPact Band, the mentors perform many tasks such as loading and unloading the equipment truck, moving music stands and instruments around as needed, and assist with handing out meals for the event as well as co-teaching and helping students who may be struggling with their assigned music parts. The Mentors also helped lead a break-out session Saturday afternoon as part of the event. Attending this year as Mentors were Sarah Mumma – Percussion, daughter of Brad and Andrea Mumma; Kayson Caines – Percussion, daughter of Tylor and Katrina Caines; and Ellie Mumma – Flute, daughter of Brad and Andrea Mumma.