They are golden: Henryville’s Golden Band makes it out of regionals for the first time since 1989

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Members of the Henryville High School Golden Band practiced Thursday afternoon in preparation for the Indiana State School Music Association semi state competition Saturday. Staff photo by C.E. Branham
Shanna Ledbetter, band director, said the thanks belongs solely to the students. "They have just worked tremendously hard all year," Ledbetter said. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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October 21, 2011

They are golden: Henryville’s Golden Band makes it out of regionals for the first time since 1989

By JEROD CLAPP Jerod.Clapp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Fri Oct 21, 2011, 12:32 AM EDT

HENRYVILLE — When the announcer started reading off the names of the winners of the Indiana State School Music Association’s regional marching band competition Oct. 15, Henryville High School’s Golden Band got a bit of instant gratification.

They were the first ones named to go on to the semi state competition Oct. 22.

For the first time in more than two decades, the Golden Band has moved on from the regional competition and continued their way to the state level.

Shanna Ledbetter, band director, said the thanks belongs solely to the students.

“They have just worked tremendously hard all year,” Ledbetter said. “They haven’t wasted time and they continue to get better because of their work.”

Ledbetter said their show, “The Precious Present,” is based on a book of the same title by Spencer Johnson. She said the book teaches to direct focus away from the future or the past.

And Henryville marchers have done just that. By focusing on their performances and letting go of the past two decades, they’re moving on to the next level.

Shelbie Porter, a junior flutist, said she’s a little nervous about this weekend’s competition, but not scared.

“I’m nervous, but only because it’s like excited nerves,” Porter said. “If we don’t go on to state, then we don’t go on. We’ve tried our hardest. We haven’t been to state since 1989, and just the fact that we have the chance to go on and be a part of that, that would be the most spectacular part of my high school career.”

Kyle Roe, a sophomore baritone player, said he’s confident the band will play their best this weekend.

“I feel pretty fantastic about this,” Roe said. “When they announced our names going on to semi state, it was the best feeling in the world. We figured we would go on, but hearing your name called first like that, I was just so ecstatic, so excited.”

Ledbetter said the band has always had a family feel to it, but not just within the band. She said alumni have gotten in touch with her to say they’d come in from as far as California if the Golden Band made it to state.

But with a few challenges they’re not used to facing, Ledbetter said they have some training to do this week. She said the weather will likely be cold, which will influence their breathing, fingers and possibly cause some intonation of their instruments.

But she said no matter the outcome after Saturday’s competition, she’s proud of her students.

“They’re just beginning to realize how good they are,” Ledbetter said. “For so many years, we walked along and we were good, we got this far and that was it. This week, they’re beginning to believe in how good they are, which is exciting to see.”

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They are golden: Henryville’s Golden Band makes it out of regionals for the first time since 1989

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