Forest Park 4-peats at State; local bands do well

Forest Park was named champion in Class D Indiana Marching Band Finals for the fourth straight year.

The first place finish for their program, Belle in Bloom, was attributed to the troupe’s flawless performance. “The show was amazing today. I thought it was beautiful. About as flawless a run as we’re going to have,” Forest Park Band Direct Chad Gayso said Saturday after the competition. “Can’t ask for anymore.”

Gayso explained he asked for more out of his band members this year on the field by adding a lot more body movement and dance work to the performance. He says it’s not just one thing, it’s everything. “I feel like the kids and I have a great chemistry. Also, the parents in the community,” he said.

According to Gayso, all of these elements play into the band’s great performance.

Forest Park senior Drum Major Alyssa Hurm, who has directed the band on the field since she was a sophomore, said she was very confident with their performance. “It was amazing,” she said. “We got off the field and I knew it was a very good run.”

Springs Valley finished second in Class D with their show called The Concert. “We had a great show. I am really happy,” Springs Valley Band Director Luke Alysworth said. “Kudos to Forest Park. Our fans and kids applaud them but it was a great day for us.”

Not to be overlooked, Crawford County, in their first appearance at the ISSMA competition, finished in a tie with Paoli for 5th in Class D. Their program was called “City of Angels.”

Meanwhile, in Class B, Jasper finished fourth, behind Concord of Elkhart, who took first, Greenwood and Northview were second and third respectively.

Jasper’s program “The Secret Garden” was performed very well and band director James Goodhue told WITZ News on the field after the Class B competition was completed that there were only tenths of points separating 2nd, 3rd and 4th places.

“It seemed to be a fairly smooth run,” Goodhue said. “I will take it. You know, it was a good run.”

Jasper finished 5th last year, 4th in 2013 and first in 2012.

Congratulations to all of the bands that performed on Saturday.