Norwell Show Choir's Trip to Florida Approved

In April 2011, they took New York by storm and in March 2013, the Knight Sounds and Knight Stars will be attempting to do the same in Orlando, Fla.

The Northern Wells Community Schools board gave approval Tuesday evening for Norwell's show choirs to travel to Florida next March.

From March 16 to 19, the Hsrd Rock Live Theatre located at Universal Studios will be hosting one of six nationwide FAME National Championship Series competitions. The other five will be in Hollywood (from March 2), New York (from March 9), Chicago (from March 23), Branson, Mo. (starting April 6, and Orlando (a second event starting April 6). The national finals will be held in Chicago April 26-27, with competition organizers paying for the regional winners to attend this event.

The series is expected to see the best show choirs from around the country going up against each other.

Norwell’s Orlando competition will be held over four days, involving a three night stay.

Come along to Saturday's show choir fundraiser and help support the students as they once again represent Wells County in a high-profile national event.

Norwel Show Choir Host Fundraiser Saturday

Norwell’s show choirs will be continuing their fundraising efforts this weekend with a big auction and dinner.

Over 100 items have been gathered up for auction, including a 4-ton geothermal heat pump valued at $9,300 and Embassy Broadway season tickets valued at $500. Also up for grabs is a gourmet meal cooked in your home valued at $550.

The drawing of the raffle that the show choir boosters have been selling tickets for since the Bluffton Street Fair will also be held at the event. Prizes in this include a Chandler Harnish package, an iPad, a large screen television and a Vera Bradley travel set.

The evening’s activities will commence at 5 p.m. with a $7 dinner, comprising a loaded baked potato (four varieties) or a hot dog, along with a drink, ice-cream and cookie. At 5:30 p.m. bidding in the silent auction begins, and at 6 p.m. the show choirs will perform. The bidding auction begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner can be purchased from any show choir student or parent and will be available at the door.

While the price for the dinner is $7, there is no charge to attend the auction or program.

County Bands Qualify For State

Both Norwell (pictured above) and Bluffton marching bands are now just one step away from qualifying for this year’s State Championships.

Both the Bengal Brigade and the Marching Knights successfully negotiated their respective regional championship qualifiers over the weekend, and now target the semi-state qualifiers, scheduled to be held Oct. 27.

Competing at Chesterton, Bluffton secured a gold rating in Class D. Norwell outshone the rain to achieve the same result at Lafayette Jefferson.

For Norwell, competing in Class C, competing at Semi-State will mean a trip to Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis. For Bluffton, competing in Class D, the competition will be at Franklin Community High School.

Bluffton has this coming weekend off, before their next big test, however Norwell will contest the Bands of America Regional Championships Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.

County Bands Shine on Busy Competition Saturday

Both Bluffton and Norwell marching bands made the most of a full Saturday schedules, contesting two competitions Saturday in a final shakedown before the Regional Championships.

Both bands began their weekend contesting the Homestead Invitational, before heading to Wayne High School for the Snider Invitational. And both bands returned with to Wells County with a large haul of silverware to show for their efforts.

Norwell had the greater success at Homestead, taking first place in Class C, as well as the caption awards for “Best Music” and “Best Visual”. They tied with Concordia for “Best General Effect.”

Wayne proved a happy hunting ground for both Wells County bands. Norwell placed first in Class C, while Bluffton placed first in Class D. Both bands swept the caption awards in their respective classes, winning “Best Music,” “Best Visual” and “Best General Effect.” (The photo above, provided by Norwell Music Boosters, shows Norwell Color Guard Captain Emily Easley, Norwell Drum Major Kelly McAvoy and Bluffton Drum Major Morgan Napier with their trophies won at Wayne.)

Norwell then put the icing on the cake, claiming the Grand Champion award, for the highest score across all classes.

Bluffton and Norwell now press on to their respective class Regional Championships this Saturday, in an effort to qualify for this year’s State Championships.

The ISSMA Regional Championships for Bluffton (Class D) will be at Chesterton Oct. 13, while Norwell (Class C) will be at Lafayette Jefferson.

Both Bluffton and Norwell marching bands successfully negotiated their first hurdle on the way to this year’s state championships at Lucas Oil Field.

Competing Saturday in the ISSMA District Championships in Homestead, both bands secured gold ratings in their respective classes, to move on to the regional championships stage, in two weeks time. Norwell also secured the “Best Music” and “Best General Effect” caption awards in Class C.

Both bands warm up for the Regional Championships with a double header this weekend, competing at Homestead in the morning and then traveling to Wayne High School for the Snider Invitational in the afternoon.

Bluffton will compete at 10:52 at Homestead and at 4 p.m. at Wayne. Norwell will compete at 12:10 p.m. at Homestead and at 5:18 p.m. at Wayne.

The ISSMA Regional Championships for Bluffton (Class D) will be at Chesterton Oct. 13, while Norwell (Class C) will be at Lafayette Jefferson.

Pictured above, Norwell Color Guard Captain Emily Easley and Drum Major Kelly McAvoy show off their latest additions to Norwell's trophy cabinet after Saturday's competition at Homestead. Thanks to Norwell Music Boosters for the photo and information.)