Story and photos by Heather Mead, news editor, LPHS Hi Times
The LaPorte High School Marching Band had a strong season, receiving a Gold Division rating at the ISSMA District Contest at Penn High School on Oct. 3, and placing fourth at Homestead on Oct. 10. It also received a Gold rating at Regional competition in Chesterton on Oct. 17, but was not among the Class A bands selected to advance to semistate.
Heather Mead
Trumpet section leader, senior Karen Ault, had two goals for the band this year: to be the best that it can be and have fun at the same time.
“This season’s show is pretty cool. It’s a play on the title “In Shape.” It’s supposed to be a double entendre, meaning that not only will we be making shapes, we also have to be in shape to get the job done,” said Ault.
“The field has three different shapes in three different colors made of canvas that lie on the field and become a part of our production. The color guard has a “workout” look to their uniforms, and they add lots of color with their equipment and props,” said Mr. Stisher.
The show is to the original music of composer Steve Martin.
Ault said, “(This year) has been a bit of a challenge because the band is very young. We have many middle school members and many freshmen with very few seniors. Thankfully, the incoming freshmen rock.”
The band also got a better head start than in past years.
“We learned more of the show in band camp this year than we have in my 22 years teaching here. That’s a sign of how hard this group is working and how badly they want to be successful,” said Stisher.
Sophomore Zach Whitacre explained that the marching band completely memorized their show music and drill in approximately 10 days.
“These kids work their tails off to be good and have shocked many people in Indiana that we truly rule in the concept of quality over quantity,” said Stisher. “We regularly compete with bands that are three to four times our size who cannot figure out how we can score higher than them.”
