Congratulations to the Carmel Marching Band for winning their fourth Bands of America Grand National Championship! The band followed up their 2016 BOA National Championship win with another in thrilling fashion as they took home the top captions in Visual and General Effect and tied for the third caption in Music.
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!
In the Cards:
The Story of the 2014 CHS Marching Greyhounds
The 2014 CHS Marching Band traditional year-end video is a work in progress: Short inspirational segments are focusing on the stories that make up one amazing experience for each of the students, staff and parents involved in this year’s production: In the Cards.
The stories are produced and directed by Jeff Young, the Marching Greyhound Visual Coordinator and owner of Dynamic Marching, a video production company that specializes in video instruction for high school bands. Jeff is a former CHS drum major (1990), whose father was the unofficial band videographer and photographer, and Jeff’s inspiration for this project.
A group of awesome parent volunteers has contributed to the shooting and editing of video: The stories will be combined into one multi-segment year-end video, which can be ordered at the Band Banquet on November 19th and delivered by January 30th.
The First Time
235 students embarked on a 10-week journey in August to learn what they’re made of. Hear the first-time experiences of some of this year’s staff and students, leading up to the band’s first performance of In the Cards at Fishers High School on September 13, 2014. Can they achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves?
A Letter to Mom and Dad
Written and narrated by third year member, Annie Leer, this letter is to ALL the Marching Greyhound parents who have invested along with their students in the passion that is Carmel Marching Band. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad.
Band is Fun
Why do we do Marching Band? Written and narrated by Drum Major Abby Zetzl, the answer is simple: “Every time we don that uniform, we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves. And, you know what? That’s pretty fun”
Put on a Uniform
What is it like to wear a uniform? What does it mean to wear the uniform of the Carmel Marching Greyhounds? Want to feel a part of something bigger than yourself? Put on a Uniform.
Performance starts with Preparation
This is the fifth documentary video in our series on the Carmel Marching Greyhounds. This video is especially for parents and others who never get to see “behind the scenes” on what it is like to go through the warm-up sequence at a Bands of America event. This was shot specifically at the BOA Indy Super Regional 2014.
Traditions
Traditions are a very important part of what we do! This is our 6th video documentary segment following the Carmel High School Marching Band. This is a longer video than usual… It is hard to capture the many traditions of this group in a shorter one! Filmed and directed by James Lipe (CHS band parent). Edited by Jeff Young with Narration by Isaac Andrews (Baritone Senior).
The Carmel Marching Greyhounds are excited to present its 2014 production, “In the Cards”. The Marching Greyhounds will present a musical and visual journey through the use of music and “fortune tellers” that are often associated with elements of a gypsy culture.
Designers Michael Townsend, Keith Potter, Andy Toth, Richard Saucedo, Jeff Queen, Michael Macintosh, and Michael Gaines have put together an amazing and unique presentation for this year’s show” said, Mr. Chris Kreke, Director of the Marching Greyhounds.
The musical material in the show is drawn from several common styles, rhythmic material, instrumentation, and themes associated with gypsy caravans and culture. Common visual elements associated with fortune tellers such as crystal balls, tarot cards, and even a “Magic 8 Ball” toy are used throughout the show as we shuffle the deck and find out our musical and visual futures!
“In the Cards” will be an extremely enjoyable experience for our audiences as the Marching Band competes in the upcoming Indiana State School Music Association competition series as well as the Bands of America Super Regional and Grand National Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Performance dates and locations for the Carmel Marching Greyhounds include:
September 13 Fishers Invitational
September 26 Community Night and Taste of the Trucks
September 27 Avon Invitational
October 4 Ben Davis Invitational
October 18 ISSMA Regional
October 24-25 BOA Indianapolis Super Regional
November 1 ISSMA Semi-State
November 8 ISSMA State
November 13-15 BOA Grand National Championships
The 4th Annual Carmel High School Marching Band Car Wash will be held on Saturday, June from 9am – 3pm in the school’s West Parking Lot at Main Street and 4th 28th Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the day of the event or in advance from any Marching Band member.
The popular car wash raises funds to support the marching band! Last year, the Marching Greyhounds washed more than 680 cars. Multiple lanes of wash/dry stations allow the students to clean so many cars! Members of the band’s field crew will have hot dogs and drinks on hand for purchase.
Please support your two time National Champion Carmel Marching Greyhounds at this year’s Carwash!
For more information, contact Sandy Hodges at waysandmeands@carmelbands.org Media contact: Ellen Smith, wikksmith@yahoo.com, 501-7856.
Congratulations to the Carmel Marching Band for their appearance in the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade inPasadena California. Their appearance included a featured performance on the national stage in front of a television audience on multiple channels.
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.
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.
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!