Category Archives: Alumni

2019 Carmel Bands Winter Ensembles Raffle

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Carmel Bands Winter Ensembles Raffle!

The raffle package includes:

  • FOUR tickets to the Broadway smash “Hamilton-An American Musical” in Chicago. Saturday, June 22nd. 8:00 pm  performance
  • One night stay in a nearby hotel
  • $100 cash

Ticket Pricing:
$20/ticket
3 for $50
*A maximum of 1000 tickets will be sold

Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, February 1st at our annual Carmel Bands Winter Ensembles Community Night. You can also purchase your ticket(s) from your favorite guard or drumline student beginning the week of February 4th

Tickets will also be available for the general public to purchase every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Carmel High School Band Hallway (Entrance 29)

The winning ticket will be pulled in early April and will be broadcast live on Facebook! Winner need not be present to win.

Please check out carmelbands.org/winterraffle to review the official Raffle rules.

 

This raffle is conducted under Gaming License #147096

Winter Guard and Drumline Community Night 2018

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WINTER GUARD & DRUMLINE COMMUNITY NIGHT!

The Carmel Winter Guards & Drumline are proud to present Community Night 2018 this Friday, February 2nd!

Come join us for our fundraiser dinner in the Freshman Cafeteria and then cheer on the Carmel H.S. Winter Guards, Drum Club & Drumline.  The JV, A, World Guards & the Drumline and Drum Club will be showcasing this year’s productions as they embark on their competition season!

Fundraiser Dinner begins at 6:30 pm in the CHS Freshman Cafeteria and performances start at 8:00 pm in the Varsity Gym.

Performance Admittance:
$5 Adults
$3 Students / Seniors

This is a great opportunity to see some fantastic performances and support these winter ensembles as they begin their seasons!

2015 Carmel Marching Alumni Awards

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2015 Carmel Marching Alumni Awards
Alumni Award Presentation

Studies have shown that participation in music has positive effects on the grades, attitude, and behavior of students. We certainly see the positive effects in our students at Carmel High School.  Music, combined with the pursuit of excellence, the emphasis on teamwork, dedication, and commitment is all part of our marching program that equips our students for life in school and beyond.

We were pleased to recognize three outstanding alumni of the Carmel Marching Greyhounds who exemplify the lessons learned in our program within their professional lives and communities. Our nomination/selection committee was comprised of current and past band directors, current and past band parents, and current and past students.  The following Alumni awards were announced at the 2015 Carmel Marching Band Community Night on October 16, 2015.

The Rising Star Award goes to alumnus of Carmel Marching who graduated less than 10 years ago and is showing great promise in their field of work and community.  

This year, the Rising Star Award was presented to Mr. Chris Vazquez.  Chris graduated in 2006.  He was the Section-leader for the Saxophone section in his senior year.  Chris played the baritone sax solo in the “Suspended Symbols” show that won the 2005 BOA Grand National Championship. He then spent a year in Germany on a Congress-Bundestag Exchange Student Scholarship.  He returned to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Miami of Ohio University, with a double major in International and Latin American Studies and minoring in Music Performance.  Seeking more “Excellence in Life”, he then earned a Master of Arts in Education from Notre Dame University in Maryland.  He has taught the underprivileged, from the streets of the Dominican Republic to the inner-city schools of Baltimore. Currently in Maryland, he teaches math and SAT-prep to under-represented students to transform them into medical leaders.  Chris embodies the very essence of the Rising Star Award. Chris’ parents, Kay and Ben Vazquez, accepted the award on his behalf at Community Night.

 

The Carmel “C” Award is presented to an alumnus who is showing leadership and excellence in the field of music, music education, or the performing arts.

This year, the Carmel “C” Award was being presented to Mr. Scott R. Lindstrom.  Scott graduated Carmel High School in 2004. As a Carmel Marching Greyhound, Scott was revered by his fellow band-mates.  He played trombone and was chosen drum major in 2003, a result of his effortless and sincere people skills.  Scott is presently covering for a band director on medical leave and has been performing similar roles for several years.

He truly enjoys working in different schools and districts.  He is finishing a year’s residency in music composition for a church in the Chicago Loop, and works for a music company where he helps start band programs throughout Chicago, all while teaching private lessons.  Scott is pictured accepting his award.

 

 

 

 

The Richard Saucedo Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to a Carmel Marching Alumnus who graduated more than 10 years ago and who has demonstrated the concepts of pursuit of excellence, dedication, and commitment in their work, community, and life.

This year, the Richard Saucedo Distinguished Alumni Award was being presented to Dr. Phil Bonner of Seattle, Washington.  Phil is a 1998 graduate of Carmel High School, where he played trumpet.  

Phil graduated from Indiana University majoring in Microbiology and went on to a fellowship at the US Centers for Disease Control.  He received his Master’s Degree in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the London School of Tropical Medicine.  Phil traveled the globe studying and controlling infectious disease outbreaks in complex political situations and conflicts.  He received his MD at the Medical School for International Health at Columbia University in New York City.

Phil later worked as a medical trainer in Nome, Alaska, for the Alaska Health Aide Program, training local villagers in basic health care needs. Currently, Phil is an internal medicine hospitalist working at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Upon being nominated Phil stated, “Mr. Saucedo was absolutely (and honestly, still is) a central figure to my developing social, academic, and professional maturity. Mr. Saucedo has given this inspiration to literally thousands of students and the nomination alone is immensely meaningful.  Thank you.”  At Phil’s request, Mr. Pote accepted the Award for him.

Congratulations to the Carmel Marching 2015 Alumni Award winners!

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the award process.

2015 Taste of the Trucks & Community Night

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Many of Indy’s favorite food trucks will be coming to Carmel on Friday, October 16 from 5-8 p.m. for Carmel Band’s Taste of the Trucks 2015! The event will be held at the CHS Football Stadium in the west parking lot.

The CHS Marching Greyhounds will take the field to perform this year’s program, “9 Lives” at 8 p.m. The evening will also include our Raffle drawing to win a BMW or Mini-Cooper, music by a DJ and the CHS Parent Pep Band, along with activities for kids of all ages, a bake sale and more.

Proceeds will benefit the CHS Marching Greyhounds. Admission to the Taste of the Trucks area will be $5.00 per person at the event, with kids six and under admitted for free. Raffle tickets to enter our annual Car Raffle can be purchased during the event until 7:30 pm!

Carmel Clay Schools – Best Community for Music Education

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Carmel Clay Schools Celebrates Nationally Recognized Music Program

Carmel, Indiana – The NAMM Foundation has named Carmel Clay Schools among the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States.

On, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, Dr. Nick Wahl, Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools received the special certificate from Mr. Steve Purcell, District Manager for Paige’s Music of Indianapolis during one of the ‘in class’ concerts given by the high school band program.  Paige’s Music is a local member of NAMM.  The National Association of Music Merchants sponsors this prestigious award each year through the NAMM Foundation. 

Carmel Clay Schools been named one of 388 school districts in the nation as a Best Community for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. The district is recognized for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive music education for all students.

The Best Communities for Music Education survey acknowledges and celebrates schools and districts, their administrators, teachers, board members, parents and students across the United States for their commitment to and support of music education. Participants in the survey answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and other factors in the community that affect access to music education for all students. More than 2,000 schools districts / schools participated in the survey.

In completing the survey for the award, Mr. Soo Han, Director of Orchestras and Department Chair of the William H Duke Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel High School, said, “We are so fortunate to have the finest elementary and middle school music teachers in the entire country. Each teacher’s approach and style of teaching students is unique and varied, but at the core are practices based in world class pedagogy and love and passion for kids.  What we accomplish at the high school level would never be possible without our amazing elementary and middle schools teachers.”

About The NAMM Foundation:

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its nearly 9,200 members around the world. The Foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

Wind Symphony 1 – ISSMA State Champion

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Carmel’s Top Band Earns 2015 ISSMA State Championship

On Saturday, May 9th, The Carmel High School Wind Symphony 1 earned the 2015 Indiana State School Music Association Concert Band State Championship title with an incredibly memorable performance!  The literature performed by the concert band included:  “The Screamer March” by Fred Jewell/ed. Kopetz,   “Archangel, Raphael who leaves a House of Tobias” by Masanori Taruya and “Southern Harmony” by Donald Grantham. Recordings of each composition, made during the competition, may be found on the Carmel Bands YouTube channel.

Following the competition, Carmel Director of Bands, Michael Pote, composed the following letter to the students, families and colleagues:

Dear Students, Families and colleagues,

The Carmel Band Family is extremely proud of Wind Symphony 1’s State Championship performance on Saturday, May 9. The student’s efforts during the past few months to prepare for this event have been inspiring. The challenge of the literature chosen for this group was formidable and the students rose to the challenge! Their final performance on the stage at Lawrence Central was an emotional and exciting effort. The ultimate goal is not a bigger trophy but a performance that they will remember and take with them for a long time after they have moved on from Carmel high school.

It is also important to recognize the parents that have been supportive of their young musicians effort since the very first day they started playing an instrument. Their support of the arts, along with our incredible team of middle school band directors, have allowed the entire high school band program to create memorable performances for many years.

These kinds of accolades truly are the result of a “village” of people working together to create opportunities for young musicians.

Sincerely,

Michael Pote

Director of Bands

Three highly respected conductors adjudicated the 16 finalist bands. Those 16 bands qualified for the competition during the previous weekend where 53 bands started the competition.  The judges included:  Mr. Gary Markham, Retired Supervisor of Instrumental Music, Cobb County Schools, Marietta, GA, Dr. Cody Birdwell, Director of Bands, University of Kentucky, Mr. Eric Rombach-Kendall, Director of Bands, University of New Mexico.

Carmel Associate Director of Bands, Kyle Young said, ““We couldn’t be more proud of musicians in Wind Symphony 1. These students have worked together the entire year to push the ensemble to new heights.  No matter the demand of literature, the extra hours of rehearsing, the students continuously rose to the occasion and that was represented Saturday in their performance.  The one constant goal we had was to give a performance that was not only technically thrilling, but also creating an emotional connection, together and with the audience.  They achieved this goal and went beyond our expectations!  This will be a performance that will not be forgotten by the students, directors and parents in attendance.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 31-year history of ISSMA concert band championships, this is the first year there was a tie for First place.  Carmel shares the championship with Penn High School from Mishawaka, Indiana.

The Carmel Wind Symphony 1 has performed in 22 of the total 31 ISSMA State Finals competitions. Of the 22 years, Carmel placed in the top five, 15 of those years with championships coming in 1999, 2013 and now 2015.  For more information on Carmel Bands, go to: www.carmelbands.org

ISSMA STATE CONCERT BAND FINALS PLACINGS

State Champion – Carmel
State Champion – Penn, Mishawaka
3rd Place – Avon
4th Place – North Central, Indianapolis
5th Place – Goshen
6th Place – Columbus North
7th Place – Lawrence Central, Indianapolis
8th Place – Castle, Newburgh
Finalist – Bloomington North
Finalist – Concord, Elkhart
Finalist – Floyd Central, Floyds Knobs
Finalist – Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers
Finalist – Jasper
Finalist – Lafayette Jefferson
Finalist – Munster
Finalist – Warren Central, Indianapolis

About ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association)

The mission of the Indiana State School Music Association, Inc. is to provide educationally evaluated music performance activities for the students and teachers of the State of Indiana; to assist in the development of performance oriented assessment of state and national musical academic standards, and to offer educational support to fulfill this mission. For more information on ISSMA, go to:  http://www.issma.net

 

Congratulations WGI Regional Champions!

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Carmel World Guard, congratulations on receiving first place in the Scholastic World class at the 2013 WGI Indianapolis Color Guard Regional!

 

 

 

 

The Carmel World Guard and “A” guard had a great weekend at the WGI Indianapolis Regional. The “A” guard placed 6th in their Scholastic A round on Saturday. This great and talented group of girls had a blast watching Finals on Sunday at Warren Central H.S. and were very excited to get in front of a WGI audience for the first time!

The Carmel World Guard dominated the Scholastic World competition this weekend, taking 1st place in both Prelims and Finals, and scoring an impressive 7+ points higher than any other high school guard in the competition. This group of girls has been working so hard for months now and all their training and hard work is paying off!! They are achieving at the highest level.  Many of the audience members and fans of our group can’t stop talking about how talented the girls are and how entertaining and fresh this very technically demanding show — “Full Spectrum” — is proving to be for this year’s team.

We still have 6 weeks until WGI World Championships and competition with other Scholastic groups from all over the country, including the defending Scholastic World Champion: Flanagan H.S. from Florida. We go back to work on Tuesday, putting finishing touches on the show, working changes, cleaning the program, and working on elevating performance levels.

The World Guard had a special guest in the audience this Sunday at WGI Regional Finals: Mr. John Williams, principal of Carmel H.S., who came out to watch the girls compete and show his never-ending support of our program. He was very impressed and proud of the dedication and passion the girls show on and off the floor in representing Carmel H.S.!

Our next competition for World Guard & “A” Guard is IHSCGA State Prelims on March 9th at Decatur Central H.S.

For more information about scoring, go to:  http://www.wgi.org/event-scores/2013-Color-Guard-Scores.html

 

 

2013 Winter Guard Show Schedule!

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2013 Winter Guard Show Schedule!

JV GUARD “A” GUARD WORLD GUARD
February 1st- Community Night February 1st- Community Night February 1st- Community Night
February 2nd- Zionsville H.S. February 2nd- Zionsville H.S. February 2nd- Zionsville H.S.
February 9th- Danville H.S. February 9th- Danville H.S. February 9th- Danville H.S.
February 16th- Heritage H.S. February 16th- Heritage H.S. February 16th- REHEARSAL
February 23rd- REHEARSE February 23rd- WGI INDY February 23rd- WGI INDY
February 24th- WGI INDY February 24th- WGI INDY
March 2nd- Northview H.S. March 2nd- REHEARSAL March 2nd- REHEARSAL
March 9th- REHEARSE March 9th- STATE PRELIMS March 9th- STATE PRELIMS
March 16th- March 16th- WGI CINCY March 16th- WGI CINCY
DIVISIONAL FINALS!! March 17th- WGI CINCY March 17th- WGI CINCY
(WAITLISTED ??)
March 23rd- STATE FINALS! March 23rd- STATE FINALS
March 30th- SPRING BREAK
April 6th- COMMUNITY NIGHT
April 11-13th
WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!!

 

 


Check out the video of the World Guard Champions at the 2011 WGI competitionin Dayton: Carmel WGI Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music for All National Festival Volunteers Needed

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Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the Music for All National Festival

REGISTER TODAY AT: www.musicforall.org/connect/volunteer<http://www.musicforall.org/connect/volunteer>

POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL PERFORMANCE VENUES AND THE JW MARRIOTT.
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY HELP IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS AT: volunteer@musicforall.org<mailto:volunteer@musicforall.org>

________________________________What is the National Festival?Performance halls across Indianapolis will fill with the sound of music as young musicians from across the nation gather for the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha. The festival is comprised of the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, National Orchestra Festival, Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival and the Middle School National Music Festival, as well as concerts by the Honor Band of America, the Honor Orchestra of America and the Jazz Band of America. The 2013 Festival concert venues include Hilbert Circle Theatre, Clowes Memorial Hall, the Warren Performing Arts Center, and the NEW Schrott Center at Butler University.Ensembles in the Music for All National Festival were invited to perform following a taped audition process. The festivals are non-competitive events in which members receive commentary and clinics from a panel of leading music educators, participate in master classes with professional musicians, and perform for knowledgeable audiences. Members of the Honor Orchestra, Honor Band and Jazz Band of America meet for three days of rehearsals before their respective performances. Members are selected by taped audition in the fall prior to the Festival.

Click here<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltmcK9wg_XQ&feature=related> to view a video of what the Music for All National Festival represents!

 

 

________________________________Key Information for VolunteersAGE REQUIREMENT: All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age at the time of application or be accompanied by an adult.WAIVER: All volunteers must complete and sign the official online Release and Waiver of Liability. Volunteer opportunities will be provided on an equal basis, without regard to age, sex, race, religion or disabilities.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS:  Please be sure to review all available positions and the associated information before choosing the area(s) in which you are interested. Certain positions may require some physical strength, constant activity during a shift, or standing for periods of time.

You may also volunteer for a part of a shift! Please e-mail volunteer@musicforall.org<mailto:michael.m@musicforall.org> for more details.

 

 

_______________________________VOLUNTEERING DETAILSSITE LEADERS: Site leaders must be veteran Music for All volunteers, familiar with both MFA and the National Festival. Site leaders may only select site leaders shift for one venue during the duration of the event. Site leaders will serve as supervisors to other volunteers, and therefore must possess patience, tact and diplomacy. Site leaders must also be available for a pre-event training via phone or in person on Wednesday, March 13. More information about trainning will be e-mailed to you.These positions require an access code, if one was provided to you please enter it when asked.MEALS:  Meals will be provided to volunteers working during applicable shifts.

HOUSING: Housing can be offered at your expense.  You will be housed at one of the festival hotels. You must provide a credit card in advance to secure your room. Your card will not be charged until you arrive and must be presented at check-in for payment and incidentals.

TRANSPORTATION: Transportation to and from the event is your responsibility. MFA can provide shuttle information. Please request a form if interested. With the exception of Clowes Hall and the Warren Performing Arts Center, all volunteer locations are within walking distance of hotels.

PARKING: Volunteers are responsible for their own parking. For assistance in locating affordable parking, visit http://www.indydt.com/parking.cfm.  Free parking is available at the Warren PAC and Butler University.

UNIFORM: With the exception of load-in and load-out positions, all volunteer positions have a required dress code of business casual to business professional. Denim, sandals, and flip-flops are strictly prohibited.

TRAINING: All volunteers are asked to view a short online information presentation.
Volunteers will be briefed on basic skills and specific responsibilities, and they will be given an overview of event locations. More information regarding the training session will be sent to volunteers via e-mail.

BENEFITS: Some, but not all positions, put you near or with a view of performances or warm-up sites. Some shifts include a complimentary meal. Volunteers who work one shift receive a name badge that is valid for access to the event for the entire day.  NOTE: This does not include Honor Ensemble performances. Volunteers will receive a commemorative program book from the event.

COMPLIMENTARY TICKET:  As a way of saying thank you to our volunteers, we would like to offer a complimentary ticket to 1 of our Honor Ensemble performances.  When registering, please choose which concert you would like to attend.

RSVP: Please RSVP for your free concert ticket when registering for your volunteer opportunity.

Jazz Band of America
Clowes Memorial Hall
Dr. Lou Fischer, Conductor
March 15, 8:30 p.m.

Honor Band of America
Clowes Memorial Hall
Jerry Junkin, Conductor
Saturday, March 16, 8 p.m.

Honor Orchestra of America
Hilbert Circle Theatre
Gary Lewis, Conductor
Friday, March 15, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 16, 7 p.m.
– These are shared concerts with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

_______________________________

DEADLINE: The deadline to register for volunteering is Friday March 8, 2013.

 

 

 

Questions/Comments? Please contact us at Music for All at 317-636-2263 orvolunteer@musicforall.org<mailto:volunteer@musicforall.org>

Music for All presents more than 30 events annually through its Bands of America and Orchestra America divisions. Music for All events are recognized as the pinnacle of programs for high school instrumental music nationwide.  Annual events include the Grand National Marching Band Championships and Regional Championships, the Summer Symposium, and the Music for All National Festival.  Leadership is a theme of all Music for All programs, through both leadership workshops and as a part of every curriculum.  Music for All is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit committed to the creation, provision and expansion of “positively life-changing” experiences through music for all.