FRANKLIN, IN. - For the second straight year, the LaVille Royal Regiment Marching Band is headed to the ISSMA Open Class D Semi-State. The band is set for a 11:15 a.m. departure on Saturday, October 29 from the parking lot at LaVille Jr-Sr High School. With the thought of participating in the Open Class D State Finals on Saturday, November 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium, the band knows it has work to do to be named a member of the Top 10 this coming Saturday. 'We had a very good run on Saturday, but some students felt they could do better, which is a good sign moving forward," said Cameron Bands, Director of Bands. "It will take a lot of focus for us to move on. Everything needs to be lifted just slightly for us to make another jump to potentially make it to state. Luckily we are performing 11th at Semi-State so that should help us have a memorable performance for the judges." The Top 10 bands from each of two regionals advanced to the Franklin Semi-State with dreams of playing for a state title. "We're really working on dynamics and how in tune we are with each other," said Gabriella Roper. "We're also very focused on keeping in time with the drum major and keeping our feet in time on sets that tend to become out of time." At the Lafayette Jefferson Regional, The Royal Regiment received a gold rating and a place in the Top 10 to advance to the Franklin Semi-State. "They typically announce the schools in performing order and they state whether the school received gold, silver, or bronze," said Roper when asked about how the bands find out how they finished. "Then after everyone is called, they announce who is moving on. Then all the schools get congratulated and we walk off in order." All things considered, Roper thought the band played well. "I felt that we had one of our best performances music wise at Lafayette Jefferson," said Roper, Band Captain. "It was windy and cold but we still rocked it." Over the last two weeks, The Royal Regiment has been working on fine tuning its performance. "We're really working on dynamics and how in tune we are with each other," said Roper. "We're also very focused on keeping in time with the drum major and keeping our feet in time on sets that tend to become out of time." With experience on her side, Roper understands that this performance will determine if they get to play in the ISSMA State Finals. "Semi-State is very serious," explained Roper. "It has the aura when you get there that is kind of tense but also very serious. This is because this decides if you move on or if your season is done. "I remember going to Semi-State and it being so different from any other competition," continued Roper. "That was a time where I needed to get serious and be on my A-game. There was so much pressure riding on that performance and I feel that everyone felt the same way. Even though we didn't make it to the State Finals that year I was very content because we moved up from the previous time we went to Semi-State." According to Roper, she has been in the band for seven years and plays clarinet and saxophone. For now, the 43-member Royal Regiment has its eyes on playing at the ISSMA State Finals. "It would feel amazing," Roper said when asked about how it would feel to be selected. "I would be so proud of us. Words can't explain how great it'd feel for all our hard work to pay off. It'd just be so great for that opportunity to be presented to us all." The Royal Regiment will perform at Franklin Community High School on Saturday, October 29 at 4:15 p.m. 2022 ISSMA OPEN CLASS D MARCHING BAND SEMI-STATE At Franklin Community High School Performance Times 1:00 P.M. - Alexandria 1:15 P.M. - Taylor 1:30 P.M. - Paoli 1:45 P.M. - Rising Sun 2:00 P.M. - Elwood 2:30 P.M. - Orleans 2:45 P.M. - Tri County 3:00 P.M. - Lewis Cass 3:15 P.M. - Forest Park 3:30 P.M. - Southridge 4:15 P.M. - LaVille 4:30 P.M. - Monrovia 4:45 P.M. - Woodlan 5:00 P.M. - Whitko 5:15 P.M. - Tell City 5:45 P.M. - Bremen 6:00 P.M. - South Spencer 6:15 P.M. - Springs Valley 6:30 P.M. - Mater Dei 6:45 P.M. - Adams Central 7:00 P.M. - Awards