Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n24)
BRHS band wins awards at Bands of America
by Alan Hague
posted: Nov. 30, 2007
On November 14, 2007, the Broad Ripple High School marching band performed third at the Indianapolis Public School Band Tournament sponsored by Bands of America. For the second year in a row, Broad Ripple was named Grand Champions.
The band also swept every category as well: Best Musical Performance, Best Overall General Effect, Best Visual Performance. The Marching Band of today has evolved quite a bit, using electronics and other instruments not commonly thought of.
In efforts to make the marching band current, Mrs. Kelly Hershey had the band play an arrangement of Cajun Folk Songs composed by Frank Ticheli and arranged by Rudolph Finnell. The band also had a violin soloist who, along with a solo dancer, portrayed the characters in the Cajun Folk tale that inspired the song.
A voice-over by Charla Thomas, BRHS Theater teacher, began the show. The creole script to set the mood.
It was a moment that will never leave the hearts and minds of the students who were brave enough to do something different.
alan@broadripplegazette.com