The CHS Trojan Guard Marching Band traveled to Indianapolis this past Saturday to compete in the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) Semi-State competition held at Ben Davis High School. The band departed CHS at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday in order to practice briefly at Carmel Clay High School in Carmel, Ind., just prior to attending the competition.

In performance, the band met with some unforeseen electronics problems that kept one of their flute soloists from being heard in the first production. High gusts of wind created additional challenges for the members of the group’s color guard as vinyl scrims collapsed on their equipment during the later part of the band’s performance. “We haven’t had any problems with our props all season, but this weekend Mother Nature decided to jump in and become part of the competitive mix,” said the group’s director Michael Scheiber. “It’s all part of the game we play and even though we didn’t reach our goal of making it to the state competition, we’ve had a great season. The whole music staff was especially proud of the heart and mental focus that the kids showed in their (semi-state) performance,” Scheiber continued.

Unlike the results associated with private band invitationals throughout the fall marching band season, ISSMA rules strictly prohibit the release of any scores or specific placement information to the public. However, the 75 members of the Trojan Guard ended their successful 2008 season by achieving the highest state level placement of any Trojan Guard band in the last 22 years.

Members of the 2008 Trojan Guard include: Michelle AmRein, Justin Appleman, Andrea Arndt, Lucas Baughman, Elijah Bell, Davis Benson, Allison Bodza, Elliot Borg, Mark Borowiak, Ursula Brown, Brianna Cole, Kaylie Collins, Brian Corder, Charlie Cross, Tori DeMoss, John Denfeld, Lea Dujmovich, Patrick English, Megan English, Christina Gault, Megan Gillespie, Ashley Gillespie, Rich Hardin, Samantha Hardin, Jordan Harris, Alexander Hartney, Samantha Hickle, Haylea Himes, Roberto Hoppenrath, Harley Howard, Christopher Hughes, Mike Jankowicz, Sloan Jones, Nathanael Jones, Andrew Kay, Barbara Kubiszewski, Ryan Leeth, Stephanie Leeth, Mike Leopold, Bradley Levi, Sarah Ling, Elena Lutze, Cassandra Marx, Declan McNicholas, Brian Moore, Jacob Mueller, Matt Ols, Anna Pesut, Mavric Price, Jake Pullins, Aidan Quealy, Erin Rebus, Anna Rinchak, Cate Rinchak, D.J. Rizer, Julia Roldan, Melinda Ross, Max Sangerman, Brittany Seay, Allie Sexton, Lydia Steciuch, Lindsey Stewart, Clay Thomas, Eva Thomas, Brianna Valdez, Charity Vallangeon, John Vallangeon, Katherine Vallangeon, Justine Vogie, Patrick Weaver, Breanna White, Matthew Wineland, Nicholas Wineland, Allison Witek. The drum major for the Trojan Guard is Neil Hicks. The directors of the Trojan Guard are Michael Scheiber and Vincent Arizzi. Additional staff includes color guard directors Lisa Scheiber and Nicole Krance; Jeff Wroblewski, visual design; Jeff Williams, visual technician.

For additional information regarding the Trojan Guard or any band activity, please contact the CHS Music Department 983-3730.

Posted 10/27/2008