Schedules Announced for Saturday Fundraisers

Both Norwell and Southern Wells music boosters will be hosting "dinner and show" fundraisers Saturday, featuring performances by all school choirs and bands. 

Southern Wells starts its afternoon at 4 p.m., with an all you can eat Dan’s Fish and Chicken dinner, which will be served through to 7 p.m. Tickets cost $8 and are available by calling Rhonda Stoffer at 260-375-3051 by Thursday. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door.

Norwell’s show choirs and bands will join forces for a “Musical Extravaganza” at the high school Saturday  afternoon and evening. In past years, this event has been known as the “Pork Chop Dinner” fundraiser, however, with a greater variety of food available this year, the name has been changed.   

Music students from Norwell high and middle schools, as well as Ossian and Lancaster elementaries will strut their stuff on stage as they attempt to raise funds to help keep their programs alive and well. 

A variety of food, catered by Back 40 Junction, will also be available. For $8, a dinner of either chicken or pork can be purchased. This includes a chicken quarter or a six-ounce pork loin, red potatoes, corn, a roll, a drink and dessert. For $4, a hot dog  dinner can be purchased, including a hot dog, chips, applesauce or vegetable, a drink and dessert. Admission is free to anyone who  purchases a dinner. For the show only, the cost will be $2. Admission is free to any Norwell student.

The full schedule of performances at the two schools are: 

Southern Wells:

4:15 p.m. - Southern Wells Junior High Band

4:30 p.m. - Southern Wells 6th Grade band 

4:50 p.m. - Southern Wells High School band

5:20 p.m. - Southern Wells Junior High Choir

5:30 p.m. - “In Harmony”  Show Choir 

6 p.m. - Southern Wells High School Choir

6:25 p.m. - “Raider Rhythm” Show Choir

7 p.m. “New Horizons” Show Choir

Norwell:

4:30 p.m. - Ossian Elementary “Jungle Book” 

4:45 p.m. - Lancaster Elementary “Bopping Bobcats”

5 p.m. - “Knight Stars” (Girls’) Show Choir

5:30 p.m. - “Knight Sounds” (Middle School) Show Choir 

6 p.m. - “Knight Moves” (Mixed) Show Choir

6:30 p.m. - set up/transition time from choirs to bands

6:45 p.m. - Middle School 6th grade band

7 p.m. - Middle School 7th grade band

7:15 p.m. - Middle School 8th grade band

7:30 p.m. - High School Percussion Ensemble

8 p.m. - High School  Concert Band

8:15 p.m. - High School Jazz Band

8:30 p.m. - High School Pep Band

9 p.m. - High School Winter Drumline

Note that between each scheduled performance at Norwell, there will be special performances by individuals or smaller groups.

Norwell Drum Line Places 3rd at State Champs

Norwell’s drum line finished its competition season at Ben Davis High School Saturday, placing third in the state championships. 

 

Norwell’s performance earned it 87.088 points, finishing behind Greenfield Central (89.375) and Mount Vernon (87.875). Martinsville (84.950) was fourth, a clear two points behind Norwell. 

 

The third placing equalled that of Norwell’s marching band last fall. 

 

Many thanks to Tomi Harrison for the photos, and her help with drum line and band photos and information throughout the year. 

Norwell Drum Line Ready For State Champs

Norwell's drum line went through its paces one final time at the high school last night, with a special performance for the community. The crew will be competing at the State Championships Saturday.

 

Thanks to Tomi Harrison for providing photos. 

Norwell Show Choirs Shine at Carroll

Norwell’s show choirs concluded their regular season competitions with their best results of the season at Carroll High School Saturday.

 

With 11 choirs in each of the Small Mixed and Women’s divisions, this was the biggest event of Norwell’s 2011 season. 

 

In claiming “Grand Champion” of the Small Mixed Division, the “Knight Moves” headed off Dekalb and Northridge, winning “Best Choreography” and “Best Vocals” in the process. Progressing to the evening competition, where they faced the top four choirs from the Large Mixed Division - Carmel, Huntington North, Zionsville and Franklin Central. In this competition, Norwell placed first runner-up behind Carmel. Carmel also won the caption awards for “Best Choreography” and “Best Vocals.” Zionsville placed second runner-up, while Huntington North won the caption for “Best Stage Crew.” 

 

The Women’s Division proved to be a real three-way fight between Norwell, Carmel and Zionsville. Carmel had inflicted the season’s only defeat on the “Knight Stars”, so Norwell was especially eager to reverse that result. As the awards were announced, it initially appeared they had been unsuccessful, with Zionsville winning the caption award for “Best Vocals” and Carmel winning “Best Choreography.” Overall however, the “Knight Stars” had secured enough points to edge out both to take top honors in the division, with Zionsville in first runner-up position.

 

Addie Johnson was named “Best Performer” for the “Knight Stars” (24-1) while Tim McBride was “Best Performer” for the “Knight Moves.” (19-1).

 

The “Knight Sounds”, Norwell’s middle school choir, didn’t compete at Carroll but finished the season 5-1.   

 

Norwell’s “Knight Moves” and “Knight Stars” now look to their scheduled April 8-9 performances in New York as they aim to add national recognition to their list of achievements for the season.

Norwell Drum Line Qualifies For State Champs

Norwell’s drum line qualified for their State Championships with a top placing at the State Prelims competition at Avon Saturday. 

 

Norwell edged out Greenfield Central and Mt. Vernon to win their division. 

 

This coming Saturday (March 19), Norwell will contest the State Championships at Ben Davis. Norwell will face the percussion ensembles (listed in performance order) of Northview High School, Martinsville High School, North Harrison, Zionsville, Greenwood, Vincennes, Avon, East Noble, Mt. Vernon, Greenfield Central and Carroll.

 

Norwell’s drum line will host a community performance at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, March 17th, at Norwell High School Gym. The show is free, and will provide Wells County with a final chance to show its support to the group as they head off for their big season finale. 

Historic Weekend for Norwell Show Choir Program

All three of Norwell’s show choirs continued their successful season Saturday  at Homestead, however it was the middle school choir that made school history. 

 

Competing against St. Joseph/St. Eliz, Indian Springs, and Northwood,  the “Knight Sounds” won a Grand Championship for the very first time in history of the middle school group. The “Knight Sounds” are in their sixth year of existence as a show choir, and the group consists of 28 middle school students.  

 

The “Knight Sounds” also won the caption award for “Best Vocals,” while Northwood won “Best Choreography” and placed first runner-up. Indian Springs placed second runner-up.

 

The “Knight Moves” were Grand Champions in the Small Mixed Choir division, ahead of Southmont and Columbia City, and won the caption awards for Best Choreography and Best Vocals. The group then competed in the evening show against the top choirs from the Large Mixed Division and placed 2nd Runner-up behind Carmel and Huntington North, and winning the “Best Choreography” caption award. Carmel won “Best Vocals.” 

 

The “Knight Stars” placed 1st Runner-up in the Women’s Division, behind Carmel. Carmel won both caption awards - “Best Choreography” and “Best Vocals.” 

 

“Best Performer” awards in Norwell’s three choirs went to Kalesha Puckett (“Knight Stars,”) Bryan Schmidt (“Knight Moves”) and Jordyn Shaffer (“Knight Sounds.”)

 

The “Knight Stars” season record in Women’s competition now stands at 14-1. The “Knight Moves” are 9-1 in Small Mixed competition, while the “Knight Sounds” are 5-1 in Middle School competition.

 

Norwell’s show choirs will travel to Carroll for their final competition show of the regular season before heading to New York in April to compete.   

Photos From Norwell Drum Line at Warsaw - #3 of 3

Thanks once again to Tomi Harrison for the pics. 

Photos From Norwell Drum Line at Warsaw - #2 of 3

Thanks again to Tomi Harrison for the pics. 

Photos From Norwell Drum Line at Warsaw - #1 of 3

Thanks once again to Tomi Harrison for the photos. 

Norwell Drum Line Wins In Warsaw

Norwell’s drum line returned to winning form Saturday, picking up top honors in their competition at Warsaw. (In the photo above, Norwell's drum line leaders - with face paint - are joined by leaders from Carroll as they celebrate their success.)

 

Norwell made several changes to their show for this week, and the new version clearly pleased the judges, who rewarded them with 88.75 points. Carroll (82.90) and East Noble (77.85) placed second and third respectively. 

 

Norwell’s drum line travels to Avon next Saturday to begin their march towards the State Championships. 

 

More photos to follow. Thanks to Tomi Harrison for providing the pics and also results info.  

A Midwinter Musical Trio

Musicians David  Ling, Dennis Fick and Diane Dickson performed as a "Midwinter Musical trio" at the Bluffton Arts Commerce and Visitor's Centre Balentine Gallery Sunday afternoon. 

Their performance included pieces by Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  

Video of Bluffton, Southern Wells and Other Show Choirs at East Noble

Bluffton Show Choir


Southern Wells Show Choir


Loveland Show Choir


Churubusco Mixed Show Choir


Thanks to Patty Elwell for these videos. 

Bluffton Students Celebrate Success at Bellmont

A long hard season comes to an end Saturday for Bluffton's "Musical Entourage" as they travel to East Noble, performing at 12:30 p.m.  

 

Group members are encouraged by their second runner-up placing at Bellmont last Saturday however, and will be looking to finish the season with a huge result. (Pictured above are the group with their placement trophy and Taylor White and Mallory Bowman with their individual trophies for "Best Male Soloist" in the  Small Mixed Division and "Outstanding Performer" for Bluffton. 

Also competing this weekend will be Norwell's high school show choirs and drum line. 

 

The "Knight Moves" and Knight Stars" travel to Homestead, with the "Knight Stars" looking to extend their unbeaten run this season in the Women's Division. 

 

Norwell's drum line travels to Warsaw to continue its buildup towards a run for the state champs.

 

As usual, photos from the various events will be featured here on our Showtime blog next week. 

Bluffton Band Members Strike Gold at ISSMA State Competitions

Two Bluffton band members received Indiana State School Music Association  gold medals for their performances at state competitions last Saturday. 

 

Andrew Wilson, son of Dr. John and Gwen Wilson, and Bob Wittbrodt son of Dr. David and Holly Wittbrodt, both qualified for the competition by receiving gold medals at District competitions at Carroll High School on Feb. 5. 

 

Wilson, on the tuba, performed “Suite for Tuba” by Don Haddad, movements 1 and 2 (Allegro Maestoso and Andante Espressivo).  Wittbrodt, on trumpet, performed “Sonata” by Hindemith,  and also with flugelhorn playing “Meditation” by Mihalovici.

 

Jim Bueter is their band director at Bluffton High School.

Thanks to David and Holly Wittbrodt for providing the photo.

Bluffton's "Musical Entourage" at Franklin Central

Thanks to Patty Elwell for shooting this video of "Musical Entourage" competing at Franklin Central Friday evening. 

Well have a photo of the trophies they collected as a result of their performance Saturday at Bellmont a little later in the week.