New Web site for the Norwell Marching Knights

Norwell's Marching Knights have a new Web site.

Check out www.norwellband.org for all the details.

Norwell and Bluffton Both Claim Trophies at Northrop

Norwell and Bluffton both brought home trophies from Saturday’s band invitational at Northrop.

Norwell’s Marching Knights came out on top in Class C, placing first and also winning the caption awards for “Best Music”, “Best Visual” and “Best Percussion.”

With no other Class D schools competing, Bluffton’s “Bengal Brigade” moved up a class to tackle the Class C competition, alongside Norwell. Bluffton was rewarded for its efforts with a fifth placing, and the caption award for “Best Pit Crew.”

Angola, Heritage and Leo placed second through fourth respectively. Angola claimed the caption award for “Best Drum Major”, while Heritage won “Best Marching” and “Best Color Guard.”

Thanks to Tomi Harrison (Norwell) for the photos, which show:

1: Jennifer Harrison, Chelly Neuenschwander and Mallory Elmore show off Norwell's latest trophy haul.

2 and 3: The Marching Knights perform their "Bells" routine.

4: Dance captains Mallory Elmore and Jennifer Harrison performing in front of one of the judges.

5: Mallory Elmore (dancing) and Robert Wolf (trumpet) performing.

Bluffton at Street Fair Choral Contest

Bluffton was the last group on stage on Thursday evening, with the unenviable task of following contest king-pins Northrop and DeKalb.

Musical Entourage put their best foot forward though and turned on a great closing performance.

Southern Wells at Street Fair Choral Contest

The Southern Wells "New Horizons" performed mid way through Thursday evening's Street Fair Choral Contest.

Don't forget to check out Street Fair blog for video from the competition - if it isn't already up there, it won't be far away.

Norwell at Street Fair Choral Contest (Post 2 of 2)

Some more pics from Norwell's performance thanks to Kathy Meyer.

Norwell at Street Fair Choral Contest (Post 1 of 2)

Norwell were first on stage at Life Community Church for Thursday evening's Street Fair Choral Contest as bad weather forced the event indoors.

Norwell's performance included solos by Blake Lampton and Brandi Albright, both of whom will be appearing in tonight's "Street Fair Idol" competition. Tim McBride and Paige Meyer performed a duet.

Many thanks to Kathy Meyer for helping me out with photos here (the top two photos are from Kathy). My batteries died early in the performance and the door to the cabinet jammed so I couldn't open up to change them. I did get video of the action, which will be posted on our Street Fair blog (hopefully this - Friday - morning!) but I missed some great still shots.

Apologies to Norwell fans - hopefully I'll have better luck next time!

Northrop's 'Charisma 2010' Steal Street Fair Choral Contest Crown

For the past five years Dekalb and Northrop have dominated the Bluffton Street Fair Choral Contest, and every time, it has been Dekalb that came out on top. And Dekalb's record as show supremos goes back many years beyond that!

But Thursday night, everything changed!

Dekalb put up an impressive defense of their crown, but Northrop's "Charisma 2010" edged the "Classic Connection" by four points. The full story is in Friday's (Sept. 25) News-Banner. Photos with this post show:

1: the Northrop celebration

2: Charisma 2010 "Rock This Town"

3: Classic Connection "All Shook Up"

Norwell, Southern Wells and Bluffton all performed exhibition routines. Those photos will follow. Video will be posted on our Street Fair blog.

Bluffton's Bengal Brigade Places Second at Dekalb

The Bengal Brigade also fared well at Saturday's Dekalb Invitational, placing 2nd in class D and winning the caption award for Best Music.

Bluffton will join Norwell in Class C competition at Northrop this Saturday due to a small number of Class D entries.

Marching Knights Top Class C at Dekalb Invitational

Norwell's Marching Knights found themselves locked in a three-way battle for the top honors with Heritage and Concordia Lutheran at Dekalb Saturday afternoon. While the Marching Knights claimed the caption award for Best Visual, Heritage won Best General Effect and Concordia Best Music.

When the scores were totalled however, Norwell came out on top, with Heritage second and Concordia third.

Norwell travel to Northrop this Saturday.

15 Selected For Inaugural "Street Fair Idol" Contest

The 15 contestants for next Friday's "Street Fair Idol" contest were chosen at auditions at Life Church in Bluffton Friday evening.

The successful candidates, listed in the order they auditioned, were Lauren Gordon, 20, of Ossian (pictured above); Amanda DeWeese, 19, of Warren; Colton Moser, 18, of Berne; Jessica Dodson, 33, of Ossian; Megan Davis, 27, of Ossian; Rachel Kinsey, 31, of Keystone; Kari Diehl, 17, of Fort Wayne; Laura Krell, 22, of Bryant; Blake Lampton, 18, of Ossian; Nathan Garrison, 20, of Ossian; Brandy Albright, 18, of Ossian; Derek Smith, 18, of Bluffton; Joel Cash, 27, of Marion; Joe Welches, 45, of Markle; and Mandy Fanger, 36, of Fort Wayne.

The full story from the auditions is in Saturday's News Banner.

The competition will start Friday evening at 7 p.m., and the judges were impressed with the talent shown by all who auditioned, so the competition promises to be a good one!

There will be cash prizes of $700 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third. The event is sponsored by the Bluffton Street Fair Association.

"Renaissance Woman" Displays Art at Brew Ha!

Estee Wells is the featured artist at the Brew Ha! this month.

Although still only a high school student (home schooled), Estee has already had one book published, with a second with a publisher waiting to go and a third on its way. She has recorded cds of her music, and she paints and takes photos.

Read the full story in this week's Ossian Journal, and it will also be in the News-Banner later in the week (date not yet confirmed.) And make sure you check out her work at the Brew Ha! This is one talented young lady with a very bright future ahead of her!

Bluffton "On The Banks of the Wabash" (Video 1)

Bluffton "On The Banks of the Wabash" (Video 2)

Bluffton "On The Banks of the Wabash"

The Bengal Brigade's exhibition of their "Puzzled" routine concluded the performances "On The Banks of the Wabash" Saturday evening.

Video to follow.

Video from Norwell's Performance on Saturday

Norwell Performs "On The Banks of the Wabash" (Post 2)

The Norwell performance of "Bells"!

I got some video from the final portion of the performance and that will be posted shortly.

Norwell Performs "On The Banks of the Wabash" (Post 1)

Photos from Norwell's perfomance Saturday afternoon at Bluffton.

1: The Marching Knights prepare to march on to the field to start their performance.

2: A large group of (mostly Norwell) fans turned out to support the Marching Knights.

3: Drum Major Chelly Neuenschwander leads from the front.

Norwell's Marching Knights Shine "On The Banks of the Wabash"

Norwell's Marching Knights moved up a division to compete at this year's "On The Banks of the Wabash", hosted by Bluffton High School, and pushed the Dekalb Marching barons all the way to the wire. Norwell and Dekalb shared the caption awards for Visual and General Effect, but Dekalb were able to gain an edge in the Music category, enabling them to claim the top honors in Class B.

In the photo, Jennifer Harrison, Chelly Neuenschwander and Mallory Elmore receive the trophy for second place from Bluffton-Harrison Superintendent Wayne Barker.

Full story in today's (Monday) News-Banner. More photos and video clips to follow in subsequent posts.

Marching Bands "On The Banks of the Wabash" Saturday

It’s marching band season once again!

And in Bluffton, that means its time for the annual “On The Banks of the Wabash” spectacular at Fred Park Stadium.

A total of 21 bands will compete in four classes this year, with the event sponsored by the Bluffton Band Boosters. Competition will commence at 4 p.m., and is expected to continue until approximately 10:30 p.m.

The Indiana State School Music Association organizes marching band contests into four classes (A, B, C, and D) with A being for the largest schools. The Bluffton Bengal Brigade competes in Class D while the Norwell Marching Knights usually compete in Class C.

However, due to their participation in the Ossian Days parade, Norwell will march in Class B this weekend. The Marching Knights will take the field at 7:28 p.m.

As host school, Bluffton’s Bengal Brigade will provide an exhibition performance of their competition routine at 10:17 p.m., prior to the final awards ceremony.

The competition will conclude with the Bluffton High School Bengal Brigade marching in exhibition at 10:17, and the presentation of the Class A awards at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Admission is $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for senior citizens and students.

Concessions will be available at Fred Park Stadium as well as at the middle school. Spectators are encouraged to park at the middle school. Spectator parking will not be allowed in any high school parking lot due to the use of those lots for participating band buses and trailers.

The competing bands and their performance times are:

Class D:
4 p.m. — Eastside
4:13 p.m. — Garrett
4:26 p.m. — Adams Central
4:39 p.m. — Woodlan

Class C:
4:52 p.m. — Bellmont
5:05 p.m. — Lakeland
5:18 p.m.— Heritage
5:31 p.m. — Concordia
Class D and C awards will take place at the conclusion of Class C.

Class B:
6:36 p.m. — Elmhurst
6:49 p.m. — Columbia City
7:02 p.m. — New Haven
7:15 p.m. — Bishop Dwenger
7:28 p.m. — Norwell
7:41 p.m. — East Noble
7:54 p.m. — North Side
8:07 p.m. — DeKalb
Class B awards will be presented after DeKalb’s performance.

Class A:
9:12 p.m. — Huntington North
9:25 p.m. — Carroll
9:38 p.m. — Northrop
9:51 p.m. — Snider
10:04 p.m. — Homestead
Class A awards will be presented after the exhibition performance by Bluffton High Schools Bengal Brigade.
Exhibition:

10:17 p.m. — Bluffton

Norwell Show Choirs Hosting Chicken Dinner at Ossian Days

The Norwell Show Choirs will be hosting a Nelson’s Port-a-Pit Chicken Dinner at Ossian Days, Saturday, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Show Choir members will also provide live singing entertainment from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m..

The dinner will be held in the Ossian Days Midway Tent. Tickets can be purchased at the door, with carry out also available. A full dinner will cost $8, and includes a half chicken, green beans with red potatoes, dinner roll, drink, and a piece of pie. The price for a half chicken only is $5.