Avon Wind Ensemble claims state title

Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, IN

By Ryan Palencer
AVON — Winning has become an expectation for any faction of the high school band here. And the Avon Wind Ensemble is no exception, having placed first May 5 at Lawrence Central.
”A lot of people know the hard work and what we’ve been through to get past this hurdle,” Avon Band Director Jay Webb said. “We’ve won a ton of championships, but this one was a little bit unique. It was more of a reflection of the actual musicianship and the teaching of the program from our private lesson teachers from middle school and they way we start.”
Kim Woodward, school board president, said she was excited when she first heard news of the victory.
”For us to achieve in a concert band environment has been a long time coming,” Woodward said. “It was just such a swell of pride when I had heard that we had won and that they had achieved at such a high level. It was very gratifying.”
Webb this week presented the school board with a framed photo of the band traveling down Colorado Avenue during the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., to hang in the administration building.
”This is to represent our travels and the challenges to get there,” Webb said. “It was quite an accomplishment. We want to have this as a momento for our Rose Parade experience, our trip to California, and all of the work that was done to get us there.”
Along with the Wind Ensemble, the board also commended Laura Bandos, third- and fourth-grade higher ability teacher at Pine Tree Elementary School, for being one of seven Indiana teachers selected to participate in the Armstrong Teacher Educator Program.
Pam DeWeese, vice president of the school board, said, “I think something that keeps resonating is the ‘Avon Way.’ These are examples, both in our students and faculty, of the ‘Avon Way.’ It’s not always easy, but we’re always striving for education excellence.”