Author Archives: mfleig

Carmel Winter Guard Competes at 2014 WGI Regional

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Carmel Winter Guards had a SUPER successful weekend at the WGI Indianapolis Regional! The Carmel “A” and “World” guards competed at our first WGI Regional at Ben Davis H.S. The “A” guard won Scholastic Regional A Class with a score of 76.64. The “World” guard also took top honors in the Scholastic World Class with a score of 83.3.

“The World Guard has received standing ovations and top honors at every show so far this season.  These young ladies are relentless in their performance qualities.  Their passion, strength, and commitment to this show, “Gunslinger”, and to their team, pours out from their hearts during a performance.  These are some of the hardest working and committed kids in Carmel High School.  Most weeks they are rehearsing 20-30 hours per week.   If you want to be inspired you should come out to our next performance!” said Rosie Queen, director for the Winter Guard program at Carmel.

Next performances for both guards are at the IHSCGA State Preliminary Competitions on March 8, 2014.  For more info, go to www.ihcga.org

Scholastic World Class Final Placements

1.  Carmel World 83.3
2.  Avon World 81.7
3.  Warren Central 79.6
4.  Trumbull HS (Connecticut) 75.5

Scholastic “A” Class Final Placements
1. Carmel “A”  76.64
2. Orleans  74.89
3.  Lake Park 70.6

Carmel Marching Band Rose Bowl Press Release

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Social Media Campaign surrounds Indiana band’s participation in 2014 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1


December 16, 2013 Carmel, IN – The State of Indiana will be well represented at the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2014. One million in-person spectators, along with an estimated 350 million television viewers world-wide, will see the 244 members of the Carmel High School Marching Band march all 5 miles of this world-famous New Year’s Day event. Followers of the event on Twitter will also learn more about this great state, as @carmelbands, with the support of the City of Carmel, launches a social media campaign around the band’s parade experience.

About the Trip:
The Greyhound’s journey begins when they depart from Indianapolis on Dec 28th. Filling a plane with band members, their luggage and brave chaperones is one thing –including instruments, flags and uniforms is another.  244 members make up the band, including 24 Flutes, 26 Clarinets, 8 Bass Clarinets, 11 Alto Saxophones, 4 Tenor Saxophones, 4 Baritone Saxophones, 30 Trumpets, 12 Mellophones, 22 Baritones, 10 Contras (Tubas), 40 Percussion and 49 Color Guard (dancers and Flags) and 4 Drum Majors.

A full itinerary awaits them in California.  Highlights include the Los Angeles Farmers Market, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, the Float Building areas, Santa Monica Pier, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Disneyland and California Adventure, The Los Angelis House of Blues and the Hollywood Bowl.   With rehearsals and performances, the itinerary is packed with exciting events for everyone to enjoy.

Director Chris Kreke said, “We are thrilled to be representing Carmel High School, the Carmel community, and the State of Indiana at the Tournament of Roses Parade.  The students have worked incredibly hard to earn this honor and I’m looking forward to their performances at Bandfest and in the parade.  This is truly a dream come true for our kids and staff!”

About the Social Media Campaign:
Indiana residents can keep up to date on the Band’s participation in the Parade by following @carmelbands on Twitter. The goal behind Carmel Band’s social media campaign is to increase awareness of Indiana, the City of Carmel, and the value of participating in marching band.

About Carmel Band’s Tournament of Roses Parade/Events Participation:
Selected because of its award-winning style in musical sound and excellence in precision marching, the CHS band will be one of approximately 20 outstanding musical groups performing in the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Approximately one million in-person spectators, a domestic television audience of 40 million viewers and an additional estimated 350 million viewers in more than 100 countries will see the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

In addition to marching in the parade, the Marching Greyhounds will perform on Dec. 30 at 11:45 a.m. at Bandfest at Pasadena City College, which features the outstanding bands participating in the parade. This event typically sells out. Over the course of two days, each band will present their “competition’” or ‘field’ show and will ‘troop’ (parade) the stands in exhibition for all in attendance.

About Carmel Bands:
The Marching Greyhounds placed second in the Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals Championship on November 16th; they have two previous BOA championships, in 2005 and 2012. In addition, CHS has won the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) state championship in 1990, 2001, 2002 and 2012.

The CHS band’s 2013 competition show, “Totem,” draws inspiration from American Indian and Tribal totems, legendary stories, and the mythic past. These ideas pertain to concepts such as drought, war/conflict, rain dancing, peace/prosperity, tribal dance and celebration.

The Marching Greyhounds have participated in several fundraising events, beginning last spring, to help finance the trip to Pasadena.  For additional information on the band’s participation in the internationally famous event, or to find out how you can support these students, please visit http://www.carmelbands.org/HelpDreamscomeTrue.

Directed by Christopher Kreke and led by Drum Majors Vincent Maggioli, Sarina Allison, Grace Hahn and Jack Denger, the Marching Band is comprised of 244 students, including winds, percussion and guard members. In addition to Kreke, Michael Pote, Andrew Cook and Kyle Young direct the band.

The Carmel High School Bands program includes the Marching Band and Color Guard, Jazz Bands, Concert Bands, chamber ensembles, Winter Percussion, Winter Guard.  450 students participate in these ensembles at Carmel High School.

Media contact: Jennifer Riley Simone publicity@carmelbands.org or 860-670-6595.

CHS Marching Band Places Second in National Competition

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The Carmel High School Marching Band placed second in the Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals Championship on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, after placing first in the Super Regionals on Nov. 9.

Director Chris Kreke said, “I’m so thrilled with the students’ performances throughout the Grand Nationals competition.  It was incredible to watch the show that has been in the design process since last January finally be fully realized and come to life through these kids.  I could not be more proud of the way all of the students, staff, and parents came together to make this yet another ground breaking year for the Marching Greyhounds.”

The Greyhounds won the Visual Caption award during this year’s finals competition, with previous awards for the Music Caption in 2008, 2011 and 2013. The original music for the 2013 show was composed by Richard Saucedo, Michael McIntosh and Jeff Queen.

 

Carmel Marching Greyhounds win 2013 BOA Super Regionals

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Congratulations Carmel Marching Greyhounds!
2013 Bands of America
Indianapolis Super Regional Champions

On Saturday evening, November 9, 2013, the Carmel Marching Band was named Champion in the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional competition.  38 bands from across the nation, primarily from the Midwest, performed in competition with the bands divided into 4 classes (A,AA,AAA,AAAA) by band size.

“I’m so proud of what our students, parents, and staff members have accomplished this season.  It’s truly a labor of love and a total team effort to make a production of this scale come to life.  I absolutely cannot wait to see these kids have the performance of a lifetime on Saturday night at Grand National Finals.  Whatever the results, I know that they will carry the lessons learned and the friendships they have developed through the rest of their lives.”

In preliminary results, Carmel won (or tied) all captions for Outstanding Music (tied with Avon), Outstanding General Effect and Outstanding Visual.  Following Carmel in second place was Avon(IN) HS, with Lake Central(IN) HS placing third.

The Indianapolis Star covered the Regional Championships.  Find that article here.

In finals competition, Carmel swept all caption awards in Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visual and Outstanding General Effect. Avon was second and Lawrence Central came in third.

Carmel’s next performance is Thursday, November 14, 2013 in preliminary competition at Bands of America Grand National Championships.  The Carmel Marching Band is the defending national champion.  The Indianapolis Star recently posted an article on Grand Nationals. Find that article here. Tickets are available at the box office or at TicketMaster.com

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Marching Greyhounds earn the Sudler Shield

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Congratulations to the Carmel Highschool Marching Band, who has just been awarded the prestigious Sudler Shield award for outstanding high school, youth, and international marching bands.

This is one of the top honors that a marching band can receive, and Mr. Kreke noted afterwards that “the type of sustained excellence necessary to be awarded this honor is a direct result of the amazing talent of our students, as well as the outstanding administrative and parental support our program receives here at Carmel High School.”

Created in 1987 by the Sousa Foundation to recognize and support international standards of excellence in musical and marching performance, the Sudler Shield award is given to the schools who are selected by a panel of 17 university and secondary directors of national and international reputation in the marching band field.

Presenting the award is Mr. Greg Bimm, Director of Bands at Marian Catholic HS in Chicago, Illinois.  Mr. Bimm is a former Sudler Shield winner and current Sudler Shield committee member.  Pictured, left to right, Mr. Andy Cook, Mr. Chris Kreke, Mr. Greg Bimm, Mr. Richard Saucedo and Mr. Michael Pote.

Congratulations again to everyone involved for helping to attain this huge honor!

 

 

Congratulations IHSCGA State Champions!

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CARMEL WORLD GUARD 2013 IHSCGA STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

 The Carmel H.S. World Guard won their 4th consecutive State Championship at Center Grove H.S. on Saturday.  Placings for IHSCGA State Finals were:

1. Carmel HS
2. Lawrence Central HS
3. Avon HS
4. Northview HS
5. Center Grove HS

Carmel World Guard will be performing at their Community Night on Saturday night, April 6th, exact times TBA. There is a possibility that Center Grove H.S. and Lawrence Central H.S. are coming to perform as well.

WGI World Championships are April 11-13th in Dayton, OH. at the University of Dayton Arena.

Spin Sisters

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Danielle and Sami Schweiger received a nice write-up on the national WGI website:

“Danielle Schweiger will never forget the moment she saw her little sister Sami performing with the Carmel High School World Guard. As an alumni of Carmel High School she was so proud and compelled by her little sister’s performance that it made her want to start spinning again. Danielle is now in her second year with the Zydeco Color Guard still sharing the same passion with her younger sister Sami.”

Read the full story here.