Photo's From Bluffton's Visit to Homestead Last Weekend

Many thanks once again to David Butler for sending in the above photos from the "Bengal Brigade's" performance at Homestead over the weekend.

Bluffton will be contesting a double header of competitions this weekend, competing at Homestead in the morning and Snider (actually at Wayne High School due to sharing of facilities by Fort Wayne Schools) in the afternoon.

Bluffton and Norwell Qualify For 2011 ISSMA Regionals

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 Visual” caption award in their class.

Bluffton competes in Class D in ISSMA competitions, while Norwell competes in Class C.

(Photos from the weekend will be posted in the next post).

Both will have a big double-header shakedown next weekend in preparation for that appearance, competing at Homestead in the morning, then Snider (at Wayne High School as Fort Wayne Schools are sharing facilities) in the afternoon.

The ISSMA Regional Championships for Class C will be at Chesterton in two weeks, while Class D will be at Lafayette Jefferson. Both competitions will be on Oct. 15.

Bluffton's "Bengal Brigade" at Hamilton Southeastern

Okay, I'm running a little behind, but better late than never - I hope.

Many thanks to David Butler for sending in this photo of Bluffton's "Bengal Brigade" at the Mid-States Band Association competition at Fishers on Sept. 24.

Bluffton placed first in their class, and also won the caption awards for "Best Music" and "Best Visual".

County Marching Bands Top Weekend Competitions

Both Bluffton and Norwell marching bands had plenty to shout about Saturday.

Competing at different competitions, both the Bengal Brigade and the Marching Knights (pictured above) took top honors in their respective classes.

Bluffton, competing in a Mid-States competition at Hamilton Southeastern in Fishers placed first, and also won “Best Music” and “Best Visual” caption awards in their class. Mid-States competitions are grouped according to the number of members in each band, as opposed to ISSMA’s grouping according to the number of students in each school, so Bluffton was competing in Class A in Fishers.

Crawfordsville placed second and won the caption award for “Best Effect”, while Connorsville placed third.

Competing at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Norwell made it four wins from four competitions for the year, winning Class C in their ISSMA competition, and also claiming the caption awards for “Best Music”, “Best Visual” and “Best General Effect.

Norwell beat out Leo, Fairfield and John Glenn in their division.

Thanks to the Norwell Music Boosters for the photo that went with this post. Photos of Bluffton will follow.

Both Bluffton and Norwell compete at Homestead Saturday. Bluffton will compete in Class D at 11:26 a.m., while Norwell competes in Class C at 1: 36 p.m.

2011 Street Fair -Show Choir Competition

Watch the Bluffton High School "Musical Entourage" start the evening and the Norwell Knight Moves defy the rain at the Street Fair Show Choir competition. Learn more in the Friday, September 23, News-Banner. Catch more performances on our "Street Fair" blog in our blog bank at www.news-banner.com. (Video by Frank Shanly)

County Bands Shine in Weekend Competition

It was a busy, and successful Saturday weekend for both Norwell and Bluffton marching bands after competitions at Dekalb and New Haven.

For Norwell’s Marching Knights, pictured above, the return was especially rewarding, as they attended both competitions, and placed first in Class C at both events. At Dekalb, the Marching Knights also picked up the caption awards for “Best Music” and “Best Visual,” while at New Haven, they collected “Best Music,” Best Visual” and “Best General Effect.”

Competing at Dekalb, Bluffton’s Bengal Brigade placed second in Class D, behind Woodlan. Bluffton won the caption award for “Best Music”, but were edged by Woodlan for “Best Visual” and “Best General Effect.”

Bluffton compete at 5:15 p.m. at Hamilton Southeastern this Saturday, in a Midstates competition.

Norwell will compete at 5:06 p.m. at Penn High School in Mishawaka on Saturday.

Weekend results from Dekalb and New Haven are as follows:

At Dekalb:
Class A: 1-Homestead, 2-Northrop, 3-Huntington North, 4-Warsaw; Music- Homestead, Visual-Homestead, General Effect- Homestead.
Class B: 1-North Side, 2-East Noble, 3-Columbia City, 4-Wayne, 5-Bishop Dwenger, 6-South Side; Music-North Side, Visual-North Side, General Effect-North Side.
Class C: 1-Norwell, 2-Concordia Lutheran, 3-Leo, 4-Heritage, 5-North Wood, 6-Garrett, 7-Bellmont; Music-Norwell, Visual-Norwell, General Effect-Concordia Lutheran.
Class D: 1-Woodlan, 2-Bluffton, 3-Eastside, 4-Hicksville, Ohio; Music-Bluffton, Visual-Woodlan, General Effect-Woodlan.

At New Haven:
Class A: 1-Carroll, 2-Huntington North; Music- Carroll, Visual-Carroll, General Effect-Carroll, Pit Crew-Huntington North.
Class B: 1-DeKalb, 2-East Noble, 3-Wayne, 4-South Side; Music-DeKalb, Visual-DeKalb, General Effect-DeKalb, Pit Crew-Wayne.
Class C: 1-Norwell, 2-Heritage; Music-Norwell; Visual-Norwell, General Effect-Norwell, Pit Crew-Heritage.

Thanks to the Norwell Music Boosters for the photo. Check their band web site at www.norwellbands.webs.com

Bluffton Performs "On The Banks Of The Wabash"

The Bengal Brigade on its NEW home turf!