About Us

Commitment is defined as an engagement or pledge to do something.  Success is not measured by what we start, but rather by what we complete.

We Believe...

More than music, marching, and spinning… Homestead’s Spartan Alliance Band is camaraderie, musicianship, artistry, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, respect for self and others, and community. 
 
We Believe...
  • in Fellowship.    From the rigor and fun of band camp, through the challenge and fellowship of marching in the heat, cold, rain, and wind, to the exhilaration of performing, students develop meaningful friendships that linger long after the last note.
  • in the Pursuit of Excellence.   The band experience nurtures personal responsibility and time management, and teaches students that individual effort truly matters to the success of the group.  Each member is important.  Day after day, week after week, students refine and hone music, movement, and marching in the pursuit of excellence.  And all share the satisfaction of working toward a common goal.
  • in Community.  Through the dedication, care, and support of directors, staff, parents, friends, and alumni, students understand that the Spartan Alliance Band is a special community that spans generations and geography. 
  • in Arts Education.
    Community leaders and educators alike agree that “involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill.  Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork...and...creat[e] the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion" (Fran Smith, Edutopia.org).

    Not only are Spartan Alliance band students talented musicians and artists, but
    • Over 70% of them are on the honor roll or distinguished honor roll.
      • Six valedictorians and six salutatorians were members of the band over the past thirteen years.
      • Many band students have been National Honor Society members, as well as National Merit Finalists or Semi-Finalists over this same time period.
      • Many alumni students believe their success has strong ties to the band program at Homestead, and the self-discipline, teamwork, and perseverance it instills.
      • Many of our students have received music and academic scholarships at some of the finest institutions in the country.

Membership

Membership is voluntary. There are no auditions required to be a member of the Spartan Alliance Band. Most freshmen participate in the alternate program, sharing their assigned spot with another freshman student. 

Performances

The Spartan Alliance Band performs at all home football games.  They perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the game and they perform during halftime.  During the fall marching band season, the band competes at invitationals across Indiana as well as at ISSMA Contests.

History

2013  3rd Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, The Night Circus, 285 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2012  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A, The Lost Melody, 263 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2011  Indiana State Champion - Class A, Children of the Sun, 241 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2010  3rd Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Becoming My Creation, 212 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2009  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Reactions, 225 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2008  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Magnetism, 231 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2007  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Expressions, 241 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2006  3rd Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Within, 264 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2005  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A, Balance, 247 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2004  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Half the Fun is Getting There, 275 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2003  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A, Gravity, 267 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2002  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Sybil - The Art of Insanity, 281 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2001  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Credentium, 271 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
2000  4th Place Indiana State Finals - Class A, Reflections of Earth- A Celebration of Time, 241 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1999  3rd Place Indiana State Finals - Class A; Dance Movements, Partitia, Symphony in Three Movements; 251 mem.
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1998  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A; Sonora Desert Holiday, Pampeana #3; 281 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1997  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A; Symphonic Movement, Symphony in C; 267 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1996  Indiana State Champion - Class A; The Spirits of Earth, Water, & Fire; 261 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1995  Indiana State Champion - Class A; Thompson's Symphony #3, Hindemith Symphony in E Flat; 237 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1994  Indiana State Champion - Class A, Lizzie Borden, 235 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1993  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class A; Adagio for Strings, Overture to School for Scandal, The Storm; 231 members
          Steve Barber, Director and Brad Wadkins, Assistant Director
1992  Indiana State Champion - Class A, New World Symphony, The Rite of Spring, 192 members 
          Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1991  Indiana State Runner-Up - Class B, Copeland's 3rd Symphony, 170 members
          Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1990  Indiana State Runner Up - Class B; Appalachian Spring, The Tenderland, The Red Pony Suite; 145 members
          Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1989  5th Place Indiana State Finals - Class B; Rocky Point Holiday, Mass, Savannah River Holiday; 135 members
          Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1988  9th Place Indiana State Finals - Class B, Symphony No. 5 (by Shostakovich), 130 members
          Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1987  9th Place Indiana State Finals - Class B; Fanfare & Allegro, Korean Folk Song, Firebird; 120 members
          Steve Barber, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1986  Class B, 105 members
          Robert W. Schultz, Director; Susan Jehl, Assistant Director
1985  ISSMA North Regional, Division 1, Class B
          Robert W. Schultz, Director; Lori Hummer, Assistant Director
1984  ISSMA North Regional, Division 2, Class B
          Robert W. Schultz, Director; Lori Hummer, Assistant Director
1983  Class B, 55 members
          Ted Piechocinski, Director; Lori Hummer and Marie Ann Gass, Assistant Directors
1982  Class B, State Preliminaries, Division 2
          Ted Piechocinski, Director and Judy Peterson, Assistant Director
1981  Class B, State Preliminaries, Division 1, 95 members
          Ted Piechocinski, Director
1980  3rd Place Indiana State Finals, Class B, 114 members
          Ken McGuire, Director and Everette Hornbarger, Assistant Director
1979  2nd Place Indiana State Finals, Class B, 118 members
          Ken McGuire, Director and Everette Hornbarger, Assistant Director
1978  8th Place Indiana State Finals, Class B, 112 members
          Ken McGuire, Director and Everette Hornbarger, Assistant Director
1977  Indiana State Fair Band Day, 106 members
          James Kibby, Director 
1976  Indiana All-State Marching Band Contest Participant, Class B, 140 members
          James Kibby, Director
1975  11th Place Indiana All-State Marching Band Contest, Class B, 150 members
          Marvin Hicks, Director
1974  Indiana State Fair Band Day, 164 members
          Marvin Hicks, Director
1973  5th Place Indiana All-State Marching Band Contest, Class B, members 110
          Marvin Hicks, Director
1972  Indiana State Fair Band Day, members 102
          Marvin Hicks, Director
1971  NISBOVA, Class B, Division 2
          Robert R. Smith, Director
1970  Homestead High School established