About the Program
New Palestine competes in various invitationals around Central Indiana, and in the ISSMA Open B circuit. Groups in the ISSMA circuit can compete at Regional, Semi-State, and State Finals if they qualify. New Palestine has made it to State Finals twice, once in 2007 (competing in Class C) , and recently in 2021 with their show "Riddle Me This." Aside from competitions on the weekends, you can catch the Marching Dragons play fun stand tunes and perform their show during half time at NPHS varsity football games! "Fix You"The Marching Dragon's 2023 show was entitled "Fix You," featuring the music "Fix You" by Coldplay and "Amazing Grace." The show "Fix You" is about the brokenness that we carry, and learning that brokenness and pain creates beauty and is part of the human experience. Movement 1 opens the show with idea of how we become broken and the anger that comes with it. Movement 2 moves to the emotional and heartbreaking ballad of "Amazing Grace" with layers of "Fix You" to create a vulnerable and power message of how brokenness creates unmeasurable beauty, and represents the process of picking up the pieces after pain. Movement 3 closes the show and heals the brokenness to show how to move forward after hurting, and how it shapes each person. Overall, "Fix You" was a truly fantastic and emotional show that spoke to audience members on a level unlike others.
Student Testimony: Me!
I started band in sixth grade at Lebanon Middle School in Lebanon, IN. I decided I wanted to play french horn, because I had heard that it was a hard instrument and I wanted to be challenged. I played throughout middle school, and I still play horn today. I was in color guard in seventh grade, so I wasn't interested in marching an instrument until eighth grade when I moved to New Pal. Freshman year, I decided to join marching band, playing the mellophone. Unfortunately, the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, so my first season was in 2021 with the show "Riddle Me This." That first season was very challenging for me, as I was also in my first year of show choir and was still on the cross country team. But I loved making friends with all the people in band. Making state that year was such a fun experience, and while I'm sad we haven't gone to State Finals since, I'm so happy I had that opportunity. I continued with marching band during the 2022 show "Cosmosis," and was excited to start my senior year season. While I enjoyed marching band, playing mellophone was never my favorite. I always had joked about how Mr. Carney should let me sing in a show. Of course, I never thought that would happen. So you could imagine the shock and excitement I had when I was told that I wouldn't have to march mello or wear a marching uniform because I would be the vocal soloist for the 2023 show, "Fix You." At first, I couldn't even comprehend this. The fact that I would be able to combine marching band with my favorite thing in the world was crazy to me. I'm forever grateful that the Band staff had faith in me to do such a thing. It was so hard to keep it a secret (sorry Carney, I told so many people) because it was too exciting to keep to myself in the months before the show announcement. I also thought that the concept of the show, "Fix You," was the best idea in the seasons I've participated in. Of course I'm super biased, but the idea of brokenness, beauty, and healing was the perfect show design.
The final performance of "Fix You" at the NPHS Band Community Night was the most heart-wrenching performance of my life, even more emotional than at Regionals. It was so exciting to see the community come out to watch us one last time. I specifically remember crying at the end of the show and hearing everyone in Crimson Heat with me yelling "We love you Maddy!" I used to never be emotional about marching band, but this being my last year and my increased investment into the program, I can't help but to feel emotional even when writing this. I love marching band with all my heart, even when I say I hate it. Band feels like a family to me, and I wouldn't change anything about my experience. I have become a much more outgoing and strong-minded person because of band, and I think anyone interested in music or dance should consider participating as a wind player, front ensemble member, percussionist, or guard member! Yay Band! About M.U.S.I.C. SpotlightM.U.S.I.C. works to build up all programs within the arts in Southern Hancock Schools. We believe that all groups in the district deserve more recognition in the community, which is why I started Spotlight on my blog! Each extracurricular fine arts program at NPHS will be highlighted throughout the year to congratulate each group's success and expose students to opportunities available.
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AuthorHi! My name is Maddy Stone, and I'm a senior at NPHS. Since elementary school I have been very passionate about music, and I want to share my love for music with others! Archives
December 2023
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