Published: October 31, 2009 10:53 pm      

Marching Kings regain state title

The championship was the sixth for Cass and third in four years

INDIANAPOLIS — After coming up short for the state title by less than one-half point in 2008, the Lewis Cass Marching Kings were looking to regain the title last captured in 2007.

As the announcer named the finishing order of the top 10 bands in the state for Class D level, the 102 members of the Marching Kings anxiously awaited.

Nikolas Jones, a senior tuba and saxophone player and band president, stood up front holding the American flag in front of his band mates.

Before each place was announced, Jones took a deep breath and let it out.

“Let’s give a big round of applause for our 2009 state runners-up, Forest Park,” the announcer said.

At that moment, Jones’ face lit up with a smile, while some of his band mates and members of the color guard began to cry.

“I knew we did well enough to be in the top five,” Jones admitted. “Spring Valley was close competition all year though. After they placed third, I had a feeling we may have won.”

In its 28th straight appearance, the Marching King walked away with the state title in the Class D level of the 36th annual Indiana State Music Association competition held Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Director Mike Clark was pleased with his band’s performance at the stadium, especially after last week.

He said the semistate performance wasn’t a great one for the band, but the directors made a commitment to come back and have one of its best performances of the year.

“Right now, I’m so thrilled for the kids and the amount of work they put in for this,” he said.

The title was the sixth for the Kings, who won in 1988, 1995, 2003, 2006 and 2007.

This year’s performance — “An Unending Legacy” — consisted of “The Second Storm” by Robert W. Smith, “Flight of the Piasa” by Robert Sheldon and Smith’s “Star of Dreams.”

Clark said the theme was chosen to help teach the band’s members to do the right thing in life. He explained if they understand to step up in life, they can each leave an undying legacy.

According to Clark, each band member worked hard to do their best in the performance.

“This is probably one of the hardest pushed groups I’ve had since I’ve started,” he admitted.

Clark also thanked his assistants, Don Krug and Larry Clark, who he said were two of the best music educators around.

Drum majors Aly Barber, a junior clarinet player, and Jillian Bower, a senior French horn player, were both emotional about the win.

“This means everything,” said Barber. “We put our all into it and have worked hard. I’m proud of our band.”

Bower added the win was emotional after coming so close to winning last year.

“That made the upperclassman who experienced that push even harder,” she said.

Western defended its Class C championship.

“It’s indescribable,” said Western band director Brian Caldwell.

The 96-member Marching Panthers’ performance was called “Name That Tune,” which was made up of 13 famous tunes. Eastern, competing in Class D as well, finished 10th.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com