East Central Band earns ISSMA All Music Award

(ST. LEON, Ind.) – The East Central High School Band is receiving a prestigious honor from the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). 

The program has been awarded the ISSMA All Music Award for the second consecutive year, and just the fourth time in school history. 

The award recognizes East Central for earning gold in Marching Band, Concert Band Organization, Jazz Band Organization, plus students receiving gold at the Group 1 Level during the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble.

“We have some students that have participated and received gold ratings in all of the above events—Jacob Eppinghoff, Anna Mayer, Layla Ulrich, and Aidan Williams,” said East Central band director Megan Gryspeerdt. 

The Marching Trojans qualified for the  Scholastic A State Finals this past year and the Jazz Ensemble and the Concert Band both earned gold ratings. 

“Students performed 13 solos at the Group I level and received a gold rating, and four chamber ensembles went to contest at the Group I level and received gold ratings,” Gryspeerdt added.

Middle school band director Brea Pickett also served as high school band director during Gryspeerdt's maternity leave this year. Another band leader is percussion director Dr. Brandon Dodge.