"Parent Preview" Provides Sneak Peak at Norwell's Fall Season Marching Band Show

Norwell band and color guard parents and supporters were given a preview of the fall season show, and a chance to meet the staff Saturday afternoon at the Norwell High School Gymnasium.

Norwell’s lineup will have a lot of changes this season.

Assistant Director, and also high school science teacher Scott Johnson is leaving Norwell to take up a position closer to his Mooresville home, in Plainfield. Johnson was presented with a framed copy of the sheet music for Bob Hope’s theme song “Thanks For The Memory”, from the 1938 Paramount Pictures “Big Broadcast”. The cover sheet was signed by all the students, and also some of the parents.

Johnson’s place as assistant director will be taken by Jon Bay.

This coming season, Norwell’s color guard will have a new choreographer/instructor, as David Blozman joins Kelly Hassell in leading the squad. With only seven members of last years color guard returning, and four new members, this will be very different to last year.

Norwell’s drum line will also have a somewhat new look with several members working with different instruments this year. Former percussion members Palmer Durr and Tyler Fager will be helping Aaron Barrientos with the drum line while Barrientos is away, performing with the Blue Coats Drum Corp. over summer.

The “Parent Preview” show began with the full ensemble performing, then the color guard, drum line and wind ensembles all performed separately.

The new musical arrangement, entitled “Bells”, is being written for Norwell by Mike Pote.

Norwell’s line-up for the coming season is as follows:

— Director: Doug Hassell (5th year at Norwell)
— Assistant Director: Jon Bay (1st year at Norwell)
— Wind Arranger: Mike Pote (9 years)
— Percussion/Pit Arranger: Nate Noble (9 years)
— Percussion/Battery Arranger: Aaron Barrientos (4th year)
— Head Guard Choreographer/Instructor: Kelly Hassell (2nd year)
— Guard Choreographer/Instructor: David Bolzman (1st year)
— Drill Design: Pat Butler (3rd year)
— Brass: Nick Ankenbruck (1st year)
— Woodwinds: Tucker Day (4th year)
— Percussion Battery: Palmer Durr (1st year) and Tyler Fager (1st year)

Student Leadership:
— Drum Major: Chelly Neuenschwander (Senior)

Section Leaders:
— Flute: Kasey Lafollette (Junior) and Hailey Smith (Senior)
— Clarinet: Amy Brehm (Junior) and Kelly McIntyre (Junior)
— Alto Sax: Josh King (Senior) and Kelsey Ahrens (Junior)
— Low Reeds: Taylor Barger (Junior)
— High Brass: Robert Wolf (Senior)
— Low Brass: Robert Connett (Junior) and Justin Short (Senior)
— Pit Percussion: Tanner Tuttle (Senior)
— Battery: Michael Brown (Junior)
— Color Guard: Mallory Elmore (Senior) and Jennifer Harrison (Junior)

Repertoire: “Bells” - Original compositions by Michael Pote

Accomplishments:

— ISSMA State Finalist: 1983, 1984, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
— ISSMA Regional Champion: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
— ISSMA District Champion: 2001, 2002, 2003 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
— ISSMA State Champion Runner-up: 1983, 2001, 2008
— ISSMA State Champion: 2002, 2005, 2006
— BOA Indianapolis Regional “Class A” Champion: 2002, 2003
— BOA Indianapolis Regional “Class AA” Champion: 2004, 2005
— BOA Centreville Regional “Class AA” Champion: 2008
— BOA Grand National “Class A” Champion: 2002, 2003

Thanks to Tomi Harrison for the information and photos.