WGI Spring 2014 FOCUS

f o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u s

THE 19 OF ‘14SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

spring 2014 the offi cial news of wgi sport of the arts

AIR TIME:WGI LAUNCHES A WINDS DIVISION APRIL

COOL!ON THE SCENE

AT THE 2014 GUARD AND PERCUSSION

FINALS

The Story of Opus XThe Story of Opus XThe Story of Opus X

RoadWarriorsRockies

RoadRoadWarriorsWarriorsRoadRoadRoadRoadWarriorsRoadRoadRoadWarriorsRoadWarriorsRockiesRockiesRockies

RoadRoadRoadRoadRockies

RoadRoadRoadRockies

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SOUND LEGACY

ZILDJIAN 8 OUT OF 8 GOLDTURNING BRONZE INTO GOLD

ZILDJIAN.COm/VIDEOS/WGI-mARCHING

© 2014 Avedis Zildjian Com

pany

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS

To see video highlights from WGI 2014:

Clinton HS Gold Medalist - Scholastic Open

Cadets Winter Percussion Gold Medalist - Independent Open

Victor J. Andrews Gold Medalist - Scholastic A

Lone Star Percussion Gold Medalist - Independent A

Ayala HS Gold Medalist - Scholastic Concert World

Goshen HS Gold Medalist - Scholastic Concert Open

Pulse Percussion - Gold Medalist - Independent World Dartmouth HS - Gold Medalist - Scholastic World

SOUND LEGACY



© 2014 Avedis Zildjian Company










SOUND LEGACY




pany










SOUND LEGACY




pany











http://zildjian.com/


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www.wgi.org WGI FOCUS 5

SPRING 2014 Volume 27, Issue 2

Winter Guard InternationalRON NANKERVISExecutive Director

BART WOODLEYDirector of Operations

AARON JENKINSMarketing & Communications Manager

Published By:In Tune Partners, LLC

IRWIN KORNFELDCEO

WILL EDWARDSPresident

EMILE MENASCHÉEditor-in-Chief

JACKIE JORDANCreative Director

ROBIN GARBERProduction Director

BARBARA BOUGHTONBusiness Manager

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Dianne Spoto Ackerman, Debbie Galante Block, Michael Boo, Jon Chappell, Danny Miles, Michael Reed

PHOTOGRAPHY: Adam Alonzo, Lifetouch Special Events Photography, Dan Scafi di, Linda Unser, Sid Unser

WGI FOCUS is an educational publication of WGI Sport of the Arts. It is digitally published three times per year, Fall, Winter, and Spring. The Spring issue is also printed and has a circulation of 16,000 copies. To subscribe, visit wgi.org/focus

For advertising information or to submit an article for consideration, please contact Aaron Jenkins; phone: 937-247-5919 x310 email: [email protected]

WINTER GUARD INTERNATIONAL2405 Crosspointe DriveDayton, OH 45342937-247-5919offi [email protected] www.wgi.org

14 CLOSE-UPAs the Denver area’s only Independent World Class color guard, Opus X earns high scores in the local community as well as in the WGI arena.

16 PROFILEWhen it comes to drum line excellence, WGI judge supervisor Chris Hestin knows the score.

46 CLINICEnsemble leaders and WGI staff members explain what it takes to get a new color guard, percussion group, or wind ensemble off the ground.

50 WHAT’S YOUR WGIQ?Location, location, location: That’s the theme of this month’s challenge.

20 COLOR GUARDTarpon Springs (SW) and Lyman (SA) became fi rst-time champs, Onyx (IW) added a third jewel to its crown, Spring (SO) leapt to the top, UFC Pegasus fl ew highest in Independent Open, and Georgia State (IA) sailed to victory.

34 PERCUSSIONPulse (PIW) showed heart, Dartmouth (PSW) took the cake, Cadets (PIO) earned a salute, Clinton (PSO) was sincerely great, Lone Star Independent (PIA) shifted into 1st, Victor J. Andrews (PSA) reigned, Ayala (PSCW) was timeless, and Goshen HS (PSCO) stood tall.

inside

7 ENSEMBLEA very special performance at the Percussion World Championships ... The birth of WGI Winds ... 2014 scholarship winners ... Mia Michaels returns for the Day After ... plus Fans’ Favorites, new gear, and more!

2014 WGI WORLDCHAMPIONSHIPS

GET THE SKINNY ON MATRIX AND THE REST OF THE PERFORMANCES AT THE 2014 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.34

FANTASIA ROSE TO THEOCCASION AT THE COLOR GUARD FINALS.20

f o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sf o c u sthe offi cial news of wgi sport of the arts

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e n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l eNEWS FROM THE FLOOR AND MORE

The FREE Players Drumline & Color Guard made history this past April by becoming the fi rst special needs ensemble to

perform at the WGI Percussion World Champion-ships. “It was an incredible experience,” says Brian Calhoun, Music Specialist at Theater Day Habilita-tion at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) in Old Bethpage, N.Y. “Before we even played one note, before we made any announce-ment, there was a standing ovation—and their performance couldn’t have gone better.”

Today, the group has over 60 members between ages 20s to 50 plus. The performers have autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges. But when Calhoun started the drumline in 2010, it had only fi ve members equipped with sticks and pads. “We didn’t have any marching instruments or color guard equipment,” he says. “We had stationary instru-ments like a drum set and other various percussion instruments.” To accomodate performers with limited musical experience, Calhoun included dancers in the group,

who perform along with the music. Interest grew quickly. Calhoun brought on other

staff members, and in 2011, decided to turn the FREE Players into a performing ensemble. By 2012, the group had expanded to about 50 members, and funds had to be raised to purchase marching drums and color guard equipment. After perform-ing throughout 2013, they were invited by WGI CEO Ron Nankervis to perform at the 2014 World Championships. Their show included a snare solo feature, a tenor solo feature, fl ags fl ying up in the air, a drum set solo and “a whole bunch of drill,” Calhoun says. “With each highlighted moment, the crowd really responded and exploded.”

Still on a high a month after the percussion group’s amazing experience in Dayton, Calhoun

says they can’t wait to return. He also hopes to have the FREE Players guard perform at a future WGI Color Guard World Championships so they can share the love the percussion unit received from the fans. “All of us,” he says, “were in sheer awe of the audience support at the championships.” —Debbie Galante Block

FREE PLAYERS WOW WGI FANS

THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN (AND TWEETED) With an newly expanded system allowing people to vote online as well as via text at the World Championships, the pool choosing the 2014 WGI Fans’ Favorites Awards was bigger than ever. Percussion favorites included Freedom HS (Scholastic A), Velocity Indoor Percussion (Independent A), Grassfi eld HS (Scholastic Concert Open), Corona Del Sol HS (Scholas-tic Concert World), Clover HS (Scholastic Open), River

City Rhythm (Independent Open), Dartmouth HS (Scholastic World), and Infi nity (Independent World). Color Guard winners were Mill Creek HS (Scholastic A), Shenendehowa IA (Independent A), Cypress Bay HS (Scholastic Open), Etude (Independent Open ), West Broward HS (Scholastic World), and USF (Indepndent World). Congratulations to all! twitter.com/WGItweets

DATE SWITCH!Please note a change to the schedule for the 2015 World Championships: Due to venue availability, Percussion & Winds will now compete on April 9-11, a week before the Color Guard World Champi-onships on April 16-18. “We wanted to announce this date change a year in advance so that all those participating in WGI will have time to plan,” says Executive Director Ron Nankervis. “WGI is pleased that the amazing growth we have seen will continue despite this change for next year.” For the latest information, visit WGI.org.

ILLU

STR

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KST

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THE FREE PLAYERS PERFORM AT THE 2014 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DAYTON

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e n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l ee n s e m b l e

For the third time, famed choreographer Mia Michaels presented the WGI’s “Day After Master Class” at the University of Dayton Arena, just hours after the conclusion of the 2014 Color Guard World Class Finals. Approximately

500 weary—yet pumped up—guard members participated in the sold-out clinic.Michaels had a special treat in store for the students; she announced that they

would learn the audition piece she taught to all the dancers who tried out for the upcoming Broadway production of Finding Neverland, the $10 million Harvey Wein-stein adaptation of the 2004 Johnny Depp/Kate Winslet fi lm about J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. Her assistant Ricky Ubeda demonstrated each of the choreo-graphed movements to the guard members.

Before moving into the instructional phase of the master class, Michaels told the guard members, “I keep coming back because I love everything you guys stand for.” She off ered up many of her insights on dance, adding, “When you connect to a dancer/choreographer, you connect to their soul. An artist should put it out there and not be fearful of being judged.”

Michaels then encouraged those assembled to go back to when they were 8 or 9 years old, proclaiming, “You put your wings on and fl ew…anything was possible. When dancing to this, you should be giggling from the inside out, dancing for the joy of movement. Today, it’s about fi nding that child inside and letting them come out. We’re going to put our wings on and we’re going to fl y higher than you’ve ever fl own before.”

Upon the conclusion of the clinic master class, Jessie Skinner-Simon of Emanon World summed up the experience. “I’m going to remember her encouragement to express my inner child,” she said. “We’re so focused on being perfect that we forget to let loose and enjoy being free.”

“I realized today,” Jacob Brown of Aria added, “why I keep coming back to guard.” —By Michael Boo

MIA MICHAELS DAY AFTER MASTER CLASS

IT’S IN THE BAG!Band Shoppe’s rugged but stylish new Personal Guard Equipment Bag is designed to make it easy for members to store and transport all the gear they need for rehearsal and performance. The colorful bags—which are available in neon pink, red, royal blue, alien green, and black—are constructed of sturdy 420-denier nylon with metal zippers and hardware, have adjustable padded nylon web straps, and sport luggage tags for easy identifi cation while traveling. A single bag can carry as many as a half-dozen six-foot poles with fl ags along with one rifl e or sabre. There’s also a zippered pocket for personal items. Learn more at bandshoppe.com.

NEW DRUMS A HITCalling it “one of the most signifi cant changes” to the company’s line of marching percussion instruments, Yamaha introduced its new 8300 marching toms and bass drums, and 9300 marching snare drums earlier this year. The two series are designed to work together in an ensemble, and feature maple shells designed to project without overpowering the rest of the group. For enhanced durability, chrome hardware is standard. New snare models include the MS-9300 14" x 12" and MSS-9300 14" x 9" SFZ (which stands for Sforzando). Both are structurally designed to accomodate high-tension heads. MQ-8300 Field-Corps toms come in sizes ranging from 6" x 6½" to 14" x 12½" and are available in trio, quad, quint, and sextet confi gura-tions. 8300-series Field Corps bass drums have a consistent depth of 14" and come in 10 diameters ranging from 14" to 32". Learn more at usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/marching.

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Congratulations to the 19 young performers who received awards at the 2014 World Championships through the WGI Scholarship Program. Since 1985, WGI scholarships have

provided over $500,000 to assist the creative studies of young guard and percussion members though a variety of awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The money comes from private funding as well as WGI sponsors including the Zildjian/Mark Thurston Scholarship (won by Justin Blanchard from Conestoga Valley High School), the Yamaha/Dennis DeLucia Scholarship (Nicholas Chase of Infi nity), and Fred J Miller ( John Donham Jr. of InMotion Performance Ensemble and Nicholas Weedin of Kickapoo High School). The Bob Wiles Memorial Scholarship went to Kelly Mitchell of Onyx Winter Guard. Each ensemble registered to compete in the World Championships may nominate one member for scholarships, which are chosen by a nine-person committee made up of WGI judges, instructors, directors, staff members, and other members. If you wish to donate to the WGI Scholarship Fund, either go online or send your donation to WGI Scholarship Donation, 2405 Crosspointe Drive, Dayton, OH 45342. Learn more at wgi.org/contents/Scholarship.html.

WGI SALUTES SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 2014

JUSTIN BLANCHARDConestoga Valley HS

HANNAH BOGGSO2

EMILY CRANDALLAvon HS

NICHOLAS CHASEInfi nity

PAIGE HAMERKAWakefi eld HS Maroon

KELLY MITCHELLOnyx

NICHOLAS WEEDINKickapoo HS

BETHANY HANSONMBI

KAYTELYN NAGLICHRed Land HS

KATHERINE ZUCKERJames Bowie HS

MEGAN GANLEYThomas Jefferson HS

SARAH KORTOmaha Burke HS

RANDY VILLEGASBakersfi eld College

ADRIENNE FONTANFlushing HS

CHRISTINAL KINGDiamante Winterguard

SHANNON ROBERTSCarmel HS

JOHN DONJAM JRInMotion Performance Ensemble

RACHEAL HERRGateway Indoor Percussion

ERIC PUJARIRhythm X

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After more than 37 years of presenting the world’s most exciting indoor color guard and percussion competition, WGI is

expanding into the next step for the marching arts. Beginning in 2015, the organization will begin off ering a new type of competition to select regional competitions: Presenting WGI Winds! "We had been considering events for indoor marching music ensembles for a number of years," says WGI Executive Director Ron Nankervis. "With the

explosion of color guards and percussion ensembles that keep growing each year, Winds seems like a natural extension of the WGI organization. Last summer, the WGI board of directors considered the creation of a third division, and Winds was overwhelming approved to begin contests in 2015 culminating in the fi rst WGI Winds World Championships to held in conjunction with our Percussion World Championships next April."

Though it will continue the Sport of the Arts tradition of performance and competition, WGI Winds will be a unique form of the marching arts. In fact, Winds doesn’t mean “winds only.” Groups can include anything found in a concert band or orchestra. So in addition to brass and woodwinds, you may also see strings (marching cello, anyone?), keyboards, electric guitars, synthesizers, and other instruments. “The program should off er an opportunity for musicians to perform in a competitive arena during the winter months,” says George Lindstrom, who was instrumental in getting Winds off

the ground. “The creative potential is wide open—and that is very exciting.”

In November, an advisory committee was established to set the parameters for the inaugural Winds division season. Rules and a scoring system were developed over the winter and announced in April. Initially, WGI Winds will be open to scholastic and All-Age (alumni) groups, with more divisions possible in the future. “The minimum group size is ten people,” Lindstrom says. “But most will have between 15 and 50 members. There’s no maximum size limit." As with color guard and percussion groups, an advisory board comprised of participat-ing ensembles will govern the division and oversee artistic and judging policies after the fi rst season. But for now, the rules and policies are very broad so that the new division can fl ourish and create something totally new to students.

“If the early response from our demonstrations at the World Championships are any indication, WGI Winds will prove to be a fantastic opportunity for more students to make music and perform,” Nankervis concludes. “In addition, many countries have already contacted us about bringing this new form of marching music to their existing events or create new contests for their performers. It really has struck a nerve that appeals on many levels to groups wanting the WGI experience.”

WGI WELCOMES WINDS TO THE ARENA

With wind ensembles becoming an offi cal part of the WGI calendar next season, fans got a sampling of what’s in store through exhibi-tions at the World Championships. Perfor-mances included Northglenn Performance Theatre (from Northglenn, Colorado), and Aimachi (who came all the way from Nagoya, Japan). Learn more about the program by clicking the Winds tab at WGI.org.

WINDING UP

SPOTLIGHT BY DIANNE SPOTO ACKERMAN

“The creative potential is wide open—and that is very exciting.”


NORTHGLENN

AIMACHI

AIMACHI

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14 wgi focus

Colorado Color Guard Opus X Exhibits a Mountain of Heart, Talent, and CreativityBy Michael Boo

Tackling Logistics in the Rockies

When Opus X was founded in 1997, director and designer Rob Billings probably never imagined that the group would someday define World Class color guard in the Denver, Colora-do, area. Originally known as Oracle, the group started with just 13 members—mostly soon-to-be age-outs from the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. In fact, it was only after two of those members brought others into the group that Billings learned that this new winter guard even existed—and that he would be running it.

Despite its modest beginnings, the group developed quickly: In 2002, Oracle won WGI’s Independent Open Class title and was promot-ed to World Class. Five years later, the group celebrated its 10th anniversary by changing its name to Opus X (as in the Roman numeral).

By then, however, the organization had spawned a successful dance ensemble, which siphoned away so many members that Opus X had to take the 2008 season off.

“It’s safe to say that many Colorado guards benefit from the existence of Opus X.”

Undaunted, the group returned to WGI’s Open Class the following year and earned a Silver Medal. In 2010, Opus X rejoined the World Class—where it remains to this day. “Open Class was fun, with no pressure,” Billings says. “World Class is different. Every World Class guard is so amazing. The pressure to measure up is extreme. There’s less time to just enjoy the season and the show.”

According to Billings—who works with a staff of five volunteers—being the only WGI Independent World Class guard within 600 miles of Denver presents some challenges, but also brings some benefits. “Denver isn’t a place you can commute to in the winter, so members can’t drive in from neighboring states,” he says. “Other than the Rocky Mountain Regional, the nearest WGI Regional is a 15-hour drive over mountains in the dead of winter—a travel expense the same as our Dayton trip” to the World Championships.

Despite the expense, the group tries to attend at least one out-of-state regional every year. Closer to home, members and alumni work with nearby scholastic and independent guards. “Without those other guards, there would be no Opus X,” he says. “But because of the same geographic handicap, it’s safe to say that many Colorado guards benefit from the existence of Opus X. We’re a geographic ‘island,’ which allows us to keep our heads down and work without distraction. Still, it’s always a surprise to find out where we really are when we finally see another World Class Guard.”

Isolated or not, the group knows how to turn adversity into an asset—a mindset that led to one of the more memorable sights at the 2014 World Championships, where Opus X performed atop strips that were interlaced during the pre-show. “This season, our one-year-old floor was literally falling apart at the seams,” Billings explains. “We didn’t have the budget for a new floor until 2015, so we cut the floor into strips and said, ‘we’ll just weave it together like a tapestry.’”

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www.wgi.org 16 wgi focus

Rating the performance of WGI groups is as much an art as it is a science. By Jon Chappell

Sound Judgement

Chris Hestin has been judging WGI events for nine years, and currently serves as the organi-zation’s Percussion Judge Administrator. He holds similar positions with the Mid-East Judges Association, Indiana Percussion Association, Rocky Mountain Percussion Association, and Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association. After taking up the drums in fourth grade, he played in as many ensembles as possible through middle and high school. But as Hestin explained just after the 2014 WGI World Championships, he almost ended up judging on profits and losses instead of percussion scores.

➧ Did you always plan to become a percussion judge? Actually, my first college degree is not in percussion but in finance. But I marched with the Drum Corps International group Phantom Regiment for four years after high school, and that’s when I became aware of all the other influences in the drum corps community. I was influ-enced by many styles of music, really gravitating toward classical. I later went back and got degrees in composi-tion and percussion, then became a teacher both privately and in the public school system. I got into more of the design and cinematic aspects of the pageant arts when I was studying for my master’s at Duquesne Universi-ty in Pittsburgh.

➧ When did you begin judging? When I was living in Pittsburgh, the nearest circuit was in Ohio. There were some local judges in Pittsburgh who were judging there, and invited me to give it a try. That opened up opportunities to judge several other states. I realized how much I loved the craft. I started judging for WGI in 2005.

➧ What do you look for? That depends on the caption that I’m responsible for that day. By and large I’m a general effect judge—which means looking at the big picture based on what’s expected of the marching band or indoor line. It’s a little different from season to

“The most rewarding thing is just seeing the performers’ faces as they play.”

season. The criteria are laid out on the sheet, and I filter all my reactions through that. But it’s not about hitting a checklist; What’s important is the program itself and how well the performers communicate it. I look for the expressive qualities of the performers, the range of effects and how well they engage the audience , [some of whom happen to be judges]. The audience isn’t a measuring stick, but ultimately [the ensembles] are there to perform for the audience and not the judges. ➧ What’s hardest about judging WGI groups? Just because of the number of groups these days, the most challenging part is having to make tough decisions among three or four or five groups that are all very similar. We appreciate everything that happens, but we are still accountable to a number system and scoring process. You go through that checklist

as quickly as possible in your head and profile the strengths and weaknesses of each to come up with appropriate scores that give the groups an accurate understanding of how they stack up relative to one another.

➧ What’s the best part of being a judge? By far the most rewarding thing is just seeing the performers’ faces as they play and being in the same arena with all of that effort. As judges, we see six minutes of what, for them is a 14-hour day—after they’ve spent four months getting the program out onto the floor. It’s really a privilege to witness their experience.

profile

Chris HestinWGI Percussion Judge Administrator

CHRIs Heston (left) talkInG WItH WGI DIReCtoR of PeRCussIon, MaRk tHuRston, DuRInG tHe WoRlD Class PRelIMs at tHe uD aRena.

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20 WGI FOCUS

2014 WGI COLOR GUARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tarpon Springs HS (SW)

Spring HS (SO)

Onyx (IW)

7_WGI_ColorGuard copy 2_RG.indd 1 5/15/14 4:09 PM

Over 300 of the finest color guards from the United States, Canada, and Europe converged on an unseasonably cool and wet Dayton, Ohio, for the 37th edition of the WGI Sport of the Arts World Championships. The sizzling hot performances inside the jam-packed UD Arena more than made up for the brisk early April

weather outside. Emerging trends for 2014 included smaller and more mono-chrome tarps, increased use of modern poetry in the soundtracks, and a much wider array of show topics, running the gamut from flora and fauna (especially the kind with feathers) to romance, current social issues such as bullying, and even abstract productions with no discernible theme at all.

Independent WorldGame changer. Paradigm shift. Onyx (Ohio) raised the bar in the activity to win their third Gold Medal with “Moving Still.” The brilliantly choreographed program blended music, silence, movement, motionlessness, and faultless equipment work in a tour-de-force that will be remembered for years to come. Santa Clara Vanguard (Calif.) presented a trio of visual vignettes with “Triptych.” Bursting with frenetic energy, the fast-paced production was like viewing a cluster of comets zipping among the stars— thanks to brilliantly bright flag and set design. In their third World Class Finals appearance, members of Imbue (Calif.) lined up to receive Bronze medals after the scores were announced. “Amid Nexus” featured members connected to each other, to chairs, and to their equipment with elastic strands.

wgi.org 21

shakers Movers &

2014 WGI Color Guard World ChampIonshIps

onyx and Tarpon springs heat up a chilly dayton weekend to capture World Class Color Guard Championships. By MIChAEl REED

Lyman HS (SA)

UCF Pegasus (IO)

Georgia State (IA)


22 WGI FOCUS


In their record-setting 35th consecutive Finals appear-ance, Blessed Sacrament (Mass.) utilized nothing but sabres to the accompaniment of a live fl utist in “Composition in Red.” Zydeco Colorguard (Ohio) used 1930s Dust Bowl-era imagery to explore facets of heartbreak in “When the Dust Settles,” set to Willie Nelson’s classic “Always on My Mind,” while Cypress Independent (Texas) explored the concept of vulnerability with “(w)hole-hearted,” inspired by Charles Bukowski’s poem “Bluebird.” Fantasia (Calif.) was inspired by a diff erent type of bird, ascending from ashes like a phoenix with “And Still I Rise.”

Change was the only constant for Emanon (N.J.), evolving through a dizzying array of musical styles and visual textures with “Metamorphosis.” Clad in Greek togas for “Anaxagoras,” Braddock Independent (Fla.) was inspired by cosmic theories of the eponymous pre-Socratic philosopher. A lattice patchwork of diff erently colored tarps helped Opus X (Colo.) create “An American Tapestry” performed to Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” while Alter Ego (Conn.) performed a poignant and moving show full of deep emotional resonances with “Adagio.”

A woman sat waiting on a park bench as cold winter winds swirled for “The Last Snow,” presented by O2 (Ohio).

FeniX Independent (Ariz.) illuminated the arena with a plethora of 25-foot tall lamps in “A Summer’s Evening on My Grandfather’s Porch.” A lonely dancehall janitor found love for USF Winterguard (Fla.) in “Just One More Dance,” and Diamante (Calif.) depicted the horror of a multiple homicide in the heartland with Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood.”

Scholastic WorldTarpon Springs HS (Fla.) took a massive step as a group by winning their fi rst title with “The Farmer.” With hay bales, corn stalks, and pieces of agricultural equipment, the heartwarm-ing program brought to life the words of Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech. Defending champion Carmel HS (Ind.) did not go down without a fi ght. “Gunslinger,” as the name suggests, was set in the Old West and featured almost every sort of trick rifl e catch imaginable. James Logan HS(Calif.) returned after a year’s absence, applying “Pressure” to the competition. Long metallic tubes were incorporated into the program to give the show a unique look.

After leaving 14 tents behind at the base camp, Flanagan HS (Fla.) climbed a mountain peak and reached “The Sum-mit.” Avon HS (Ind.) reminisced about youthful innocence with Shane Koyczan’s poem “Remember How We Forgot,”

FAN FAV

Santa Clara Vanguard (IW)

Imbue (IW)

Blessed Sacrament (IW)

USF Winterguard (IW) Zydeco (IW)

West Broward HS (SW)


while in “Sticks and Stones,” Warren Central HS (Ind.) used the same poet’s “To This Day” to draw attention to the power of hurtful words. In “Forgiving Autumn,” a 25-foot tall abstract tree shed its leaves—which became the fl ags spun by Arcadia HS (Calif.).

Every moment was precious for Nease HS (Fla.), whose “Stealing Time” featured clock faces and gears on both fl oor and silk design. In “Swan Song,” Norwin HS (Pa.) featured a gaggle of feathered friends diving through a stage into a lake. An envelope-shaped tarp opened up to reveal a snowy wonderland for Trumbull HS (Conn.) in “One Winter,” and 2013 Scholastic Open Champion Mechanicsburg HS (Pa.) splashed in the waters of the Fountain of Youth in “Forever Young.”

Miamisburg HS (Ohio) found a bit of redemption, return-ing to the fi nals with “Revolution of Shame,” based on the iconic novel The Scarlet Letter. Choctawhatchee HS (Fla.) presented the WGI version of American Idol, as “FANation” explored the idolization of celebrity in modern society.

Timber Creek HS (Fla.) displayed some elegant sophistication with “Never Dreamed…,” while West Broward HS (Fla.) brought a touch of loneliness and despair with “Irrelevant.”

Independent OpenUCF Pegasus Open (Fla.) eked out a narrow 0.2-point win with a dystopian vision of America’s future in “Take a Bow,” set on a Dr. Seuss-meets-Dr. Frankenstein set. Avidity Independent of McKendree University (Mo.) imaginatively depicted the concept of visual progression in movement with “Timelapse.” Leaving behind an army of little crawlers, Lexis (Ky.) captured the artistry of “Charlotte’s Magnum Opus,” while Les Eclipses (Que.) felt the intense sorrow of a romantic breakup with “The Leaving Song.”

Oregon Crusaders Independent (Ore.) incorporated a reading of numbers underneath the musical texture of “Signals.” Meanwhile, the members of Pacifi caires (B.C.)—with an average age of 14—made us fall in love with them in

wgi.org 23

TOP RANKING GROUPS FOR COLOR GUARD

FAN FAV

INDEPENDENT WORLD 1st Onyx

Moving Still2nd Santa Clara

VanguardTriptych

3rd ImbueAmid Nexus

INDEPENDENT OPEN 1st UCF Pegasus

OpenTake a Bow

2nd Avidity IndependantTimelapse

3rd LexisCharlotte’s Magnum Opus

INDEPENDENT A 1st Georgia State

UniverstiyBefore My Time

2nd Brenham IndependentLooking for Joy

3rd Shenendehowa IABetter World

SCHOLASTIC WORLD 1st Tarpon

Springs HSThe Farmer

2nd Carmel HSGunslinger

3rd James Logan HSPressure

SCHOLASTIC OPEN 1st Spring HS

Malala

2nd West Orange HSI Will Lay Down My Heart

3rd Stoneman Douglas HSThe Invisible War

SCHOLASTIC A 1st Lyman HS

The Big White Room

2nd Lakota West HSTuesdays with Morrie

3rd Little Elm HSParting is Such Sweet Sorrow

James Logan HS (SW)

Avon HS (SW) Flanagan HS (SW)

Carmel HS (SW)


“If My Heart Could Talk.” St. Brendan (Mass.) utilized what seemed like the world’s longest balance beam in “A Delicate Balance.” Eclectix Independent (Okla.) fell under the corrup-tive infl uence of the “Black Swan,” as their color palette morphed from white to dark, and Ancora (Mich.) went from confi nement to freedom with “Some Birds Aren’t Meant To Be Caged.”

Brigadiers Winter Guard (N.Y.) exhorted us to aspire to better things with “Be the Change You Wish to See,” and University of Alabama Alta Marea (Ala.) turned up the heat with their seductively pleasing “Hot Legs.” With “Let’s Play,”

Interplay (Mich.) lined up a giant set of dominos, then pushed them all over at the end, while Etude (S.C.) gathered around for dinner with “At the Table.” Stonewall Indepen-dent (Va.) stylishly trekked from one end of the fl oor to the other for “A Journey,” and the Pride of the Netherlands creat-ed a giant globe on the fl oor in “The World You Live(d) In.”

Scholastic OpenSpring HS (Texas) brought the title to the Lone Star State with “Malala,” featuring inspiring words of Pakistani-born education activist Malala Yousafzai. West Orange HS (N.J.)


FAN FAV

Lexis (IO)

Oregon Crusaders Independent (IO)

Les Eclipses (IO)

Avidity Independent of McKendree University (IO)

Etude (IO)

24 WGI FOCUS

Pacifi cares (IO)


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experienced the sad endings of romantic relationships with “I Will Lay Down My Heart.” Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.) brought attention to women who suff er abuse while serving in the military with “The Invisible War,” while Somerville HS (N.J.) explored the angst of memories of love lost after a breakup with “My Immortal.”

Round Rock HS (Texas) brought the colorful beauty and wonder of deep space to UD Arena with “En Nebulum.” The brave life and martyrdom of Joan of Arc inspired Marian Catholic HS (Ill.) in “Matron Saint.” Cape Fear HS (N.C.) transformed from blood red crimson to the darkest of shadows in “Paint It Black.” All work and no play propelled Bellbrook HS (Ohio) into the Finals with a tribute to the famous writer in “By Steven King,” and Francis Howell North HS (Mo.) made us weep with their emotional performance of “Unrequited.”

South Brunswick HS (N.J.) utilized an array of large multicolored rings in “Jumping Through Hoops.” A sheer fabric cloud enveloped James Bowie HS (Texas) as an

evening thundershower passed in “Noche de Lluvia.” Mission Viejo HS (Calif.) encapsulated the emptiness felt after losing a loved one in “When the Light’s Gone Dim,” while Greenfi eld-Central HS (Ind.) sought to feel anything but numbness in “Hurt.” Ben Davis HS (Ind.) were a fl ock of angry birds tormenting humanity in “What Were the Crows After,” and Cypress Bay HS (Fla.) took us to the bayou where voodoo is in vogue with “Which Is Witch.”

Independent AGeorgia State University (Ga.) took the Gold with “Before My Time,” as the guard became fl owing sand on an hourglass fl oor. Brenham Independent (Texas) moved with exuberance in “LOOKING FOR JOY,” spun to music of Aaron Copland. Shenendehowa IA (N.Y.) crashed through the glass ceiling with “Better World,” championing the cause of workplace fairness for women, while University of South Florida A (Fla.) used building blocks to add dimensions of height in “Some-one to Watch Over.”


FAN FAV

Cyrress Bay HS (SO)

West Orange HS (SO)

Stoneman Douglas HS (SO)

Somerville HS (SO)

Round Rock HS (SO)

26 WGI FOCUS


First Flight (N.C.) used tall wood poles to construct the frame of a house in “To Build a Home,” while O3 (Ohio) saw the world through a green fi lter while only utilizing fl ags in “Beyond the Rainbow.” Delazure (Del.) spilled canteens of colored sand on the fl oor in “Painted Desert: A Mirage.” St. Anns (Mass.) portrayed the theory of an infi nite cosmic cycle with “Eternal Recurrence,” and In Motion Performance Ensemble (Calif.) tugged on our heartstrings with “As Time Goes By.”

ATX Winterguard (Texas) fought the good fi ght against bullying in “#silence,” while Emanon A (N.J.) showed what happens when a lady is just not that into her suitor in “Unrequited Love.” Ventures (Ont.) took us on a magical hot-air balloon ride in “Up!” and Q (Pa.) took us to Broadway with the thrilling “I’m Here,” based on music from The Color

Purple. Allegoria Winterguard (Ohio) set sail for new hori-zons in “Never Coming Back,” while Purdue University (Ind.) showed what mannequins do when the store closes in “After Hours,” and Interplay (Mich.) featured a bevy of arcs in the geometry-inspired “Pi-R-Squared.”

Scholastic A A stir-crazy woman fi nally fi nds her way out of the confi nes of “The Big White Room” as Lyman HS (Fla.) earned their fi rst WGI title. Lakota West HS (Ohio) brought us to tears with the moving “Tuesdays With Morrie,” based on Mitch Albom’s best-selling book. Little Elm HS (Texas) portrayed the ill-fated romance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to life in “Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow,” while fellow Texans Klein Collins HS searched for meaning after suff ering loss with

FAN FAV

Shenendehowa IA (IA)

First Flight (IA)

University of South Florida A (IA)

Brenham Independent (IA)

wgi.org 27

7_WGI_ColorGuard copy 2_RG.indd 7 5/20/14 11:21 AM


28 WGI FOCUS

“When There’s Nothing Left to Burn.”Pace HS (Fla.) went ’round and ’round in circles with “It

Never Ends,” while all the world was a stage for Hart HS(Calif.), performing to words of “Shakespeare.” Irondale HS(Minn.) took us to the bone-chilling tundra with “Iced Over,” and Red Land HS (Pa.) used discarded rag dolls as a meta-phor for neglected people in “I’m More Than That.” The fl oor became a blackboard for Harrison HS (Ga.), as members wrote messages with chalk in “Say Something.”

Gateway HS (Pa.) created moments of blissful serenity

with “The Face,” while Greater Johnstown HS (N.Y.) jolted us with the uncomfortable existence of “The Neglected Ones.” Dartmouth HS (Mass.) proved the grass is not always greener “On the Other Side,” and Washington HS (Mo.) added layer after layer of complexity with “Minimalism MAXIMIZED.” Lampeter-Strasburg HS (Pa.) showed their fortitude “Behind the Glass,” while Mill Creek HS (Ga.) found hope in troubled times with “Brother Can You Spare a Dime.”

For a complete list of scores and more coverage from the 2014 World Championships, go to wgi.org.

Lakota West HS (SA)

Pace HS (SA)

Mill Creek HS (SA)

Klein Collins HS (SA)

FAN FAV

Little Elm HS (SA)


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http://www.awctcolorguard.com/

2014 WGI Color Guard World ChampIonshIps

30 wGi foCus

It’s the event after the event: The Finale following the WGI Color Guard Championships is always a colorful celebration of the season—and of the bonds that all guard members share. It’s a chance for sponsors, staff, and members to mingle, recognize scholarship winners, and, most off all, cut loose after the intensity of the preceding Finals. Confetti flies as each class gathers together, while the party atmosphere is illuminated (literally!) when the members come down to the area floor wearing lights.

unGuarded Joy


WGI_Temp.indd 1 5/14/14 11:58 AM

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34 wgi focus

A record 220 indoor percussion lines arrived in Dayton on April 10 through 12 to compete for the 2014 WGI Percussion World Champi-onships. Stepping onto a bold new black performing surface (which replaced tan of old), they encountered plenty of intense competition

from all over North America and beyond—and even more intense love from the fans in the stands.

Percussion Independent World Pulse Percussion (Calif.) won the Gold Medal with “That Which Confines Us,” based on music as disparate as the theme from Beetlejuice, “Little Boxes” and “Moonlight Sonata.” Bass drummers dangled from overhead racks and snare drummers played while hanging upside-down. Music City Mystique (Tenn.) centered “Win-dows to the Soul” on the flickering eyes of a statue that appeared to be carved out of granite, earning the Silver Medal. The Bronze went to Rhythm X (Ohio) for “The Razor’s Edge,” inspired by the dramatic tightrope antics of Philippe Petit.

Riverside City College (Calif.) explored the evolution of humanity and history in “So, this is Earth…?” as witnessed by an intergalactic species observing television signals sent into space. Gateway Indoor (Mo.) offered a provocative look at the Vietnam War era with “Oh Say Can You See,” with names of Dayton soldiers killed in action scrolling across a video screen. The members of Matrix (Ohio) were costumed as rock artists in the high-energy production of “Rockstar.”

Infinity (Fla.) won the Fans’ Favorite Award for “All Hail,” a show inspired by regal music of the British Empire and the rock group Queen. Atlanta Quest (Ga.) paid tribute to the bad guys in “Villain,” from the perspective of the miscreants. “The Train Ride Home” stopped in Dayton before pulling away from the station for the ride to the Santa Clara hometown of Vanguard (Calif.).

The grim, dystopian future of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 provided the title and mood to POW Percussion (Calif.). “Fearless,” a poem by Marianne Williamson, offered affirmation to weakened souls in the United Percussion (N.J.) produc-tion—which happened to have the same name. STRYKE Percussion Ensemble (Fla.) explored the contrasts between the creative and analytical sides of the human mind in “The Fine Line.”

Hitters Heavy

2014 WGi percussion World CHampionsHips

pulse and dartmouth take percussion World Class titles in a World Championship weekend packed with innovation and emotion. By MIChAEl BOO

Cadets Winter Percussion (PIO)

Ayala HS (PSCW)

Clinton HS (SO)

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wgi.org 35

2014 WGI PERCUSSION WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Goshen HS (PSCO)

Victor J. Andrew HS (PSA)

Pulse Percussion (PIW)

Lone Star Independent Percussion (PIA)

Dartmouth HS (PSW)

FAN FAV


36 WGI FOCUS


“A Show of Hands” by NorthCoast Academy (Mich.) was all about human hands and what those hands could accom-plish. Orange County Independent Percussion (Calif.) explored “The World In You,” largely based on the music of pop singer Alicia Keys. OC Indoor (Ore.) based “RELENTLESS” on a simple idea that gives rise to multitudes of great things.

Percussion Scholastic WorldDartmouth HS (Mass.) won both the Gold Medal and the Fans’ Favorite Award with “Let Them Eat Cake: Marie Antoinette’s Scandalous Life.” An elaborate Parisian ball-room set was the scene of the 18th Century French queen’s extravagant parties—and of her downfall at the hands of an angry mob, which eventually headed her off to the guillotine. Chino Hills HS (Calif.) took the Silver Medal with “I Was Here,” built upon the idea of leaving one’s footprints in the sands of time. Ayala HS (Calif.) earned the Bronze for a disquieting look at the life of Lee Harvey Oswald in “Que Sera-Sera.” “Genocide” was the theme of North Shore HS (Texas), set in countries where political mass killings have occurred, ending with the line being swallowed up by a graveyard. Avon HS (Ind.) employed Imagine Dragons’ song “Radioactive” for its show, “Quarantine,” complete with quasi hazmat suits and

gas masks. Arcadia HS (Calif.) buried the negative elements of the past in “Find My Way.”

“Dreaming Beethoven” by Homestead HS (Calif.) alternat-ed between moments of beautiful serenity and dissonant rage as the composer dealt with his increasingly severe deafness. Center Grove HS (Ind.) based “The Heart of a Warrior” on the army of underground terracotta soldiers discovered in China. A tall gilded birdcage was prominent in “Painted Like a Warrior” of Rowland HS (Calif.), inspired by Charles Bukowski’s poem, “Bluebird.”

Upper Darby HS (Pa.), promoted to World Class after its fi nal WGI Regional, told the story of a returning soldier in “The Long Walk Home.” In “The Game,” Centerville HS (Ohio) led the audience through a variety of board, video, and computer games. Based on the Book of Genesis, “The Fall of Eve” of Petal HS (Miss.) explored original sin.

“Bending Reality” of Walled Lake Central HS (Mich.) included an awesome mallet feature where alternating players executed every other note in a series of 16th-note runs. Mental breakdowns caused by the pressures of contem-porary society were the theme of “Fr(agile) Minds” by Eden Prairie HS (Minn.). Ben Davis HS (Ind.) based “The Factory” on the busy commercial studio of pop artist Andy Warhol.

FAN FAV

Rhythm X (PIW) Infi nity (PIW)

Riverside City College (PIW)

Gateway Indoor (PIW)

Music City Mystique (PIW)


Percussion Independent OpenCadets Winter Percussion (Pa.) won the class with “Copy of a…”. Two of the songs, “Copy of a…” and “A Warm Place,” were by Nine-Inch Nails, the show concluding with Karl Jenkins’ “Palladio.” Pioneer Indoor (Ill.) took the Silver Medal for “Spiritum Ipsum (spirit game)” set in a graveyard and ending with members running from zombies. Valley Independent Percussion (Calif.) took the Bronze Medal for “Let Go,” encouraging all to release themselves from their fears.

River City Rhythm (Minn.) won the Fans’ Favorite Award for “Run Before You Walk.” Demonstrations of instrumental

wgi.org 37

Chino Hills HS (PSW)

Avon HS (PSW)

North Shore HS (PSW) Ayala HS (PSW)

basics led to acrobatic stunts over the keyboard percussion. Spirit of America (Mass.) took us to Asia in “Hero: The Dragon & Tigers Within,” highlighted by taiko drums. Vigilantes Indoor Percussion (Texas) performed Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning,” leading to an electric-chair execution that dimmed the lights.

“Soldiers of Innocence” by Dojo Percussion (Neb.) touched on how war aff ects child soldiers. Red sand on the feet of the members of Tyler Junior College (Texas) eventually covered the fl oor in “It All Runs Out,” with 12 digital timers acting as a reminder that time waits for no one. DrumSpirit

Flanagan HS (SW)

TOP RANKING GROUPS FOR PERCUSSIONPERCUSSION INDEPENDENT WORLD 1st Pulse

That Which Confi nes us

2nd Music City MystiqueWindows to the Soul

3rd Rhythm X The Razors Edge

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC CONCERT WORLD 1st Ayala HS

A Timeless World

2nd Rowland HSScenes from Swan Lake

3rd Muscle Shoals The Palace of Nine Perfections

PERCUSSION INDEPENDENT A 1st Lone Star

IndependentShifted

2nd Chattanooga IndependentBalanced

3rd Liberty University Indoor Drumline Storm

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC WORLD 1st Dartmouth HS

Let Them Eat Cake: Marie Antoinette’s Scandalous Life

2nd Chino HillsI Was Here

3rd Ayala HSQue Sera-Sera

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC OPEN 1st Clinton HS

Sincerely2nd Norwalk HS

Glass3rd Chantilly HS

Into the Wild

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC CONCERT OPEN 1st Goshen HS

Rainforest2nd Mansfi eld HS

The Way Up3rd Kiski Area HS

As They Watch Over Us

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC A 1st Victor J.

Andrew HSLet it Rain

2nd Kamiak HSOur Finest Hour

3rd Edwardsville HS The Classics

PERCUSSION INDEPENDENT OPEN 1st Cadets Winter

PercussionCopy of a...

2nd Pioneer IndoorSpiritum Ipsum (spirit game)

3rd Valley Independent Let Go


(Belgium) explored the poem “In Flanders Field,” about the World War I battle site in the line’s home country.

“2001” of Legends (Mich.) was inspired by HAL 9000 from the famous Stanley Kubrick fi lm. Ancient City Ensemble (Fla.) performed atop an optical illusion of various colored dots in “Clarity.” In “Coming Home,” Bakersfi eld College (Calif.) explored one’s hope of making it back to familiar ground.

Percussion Scholastic Open Clinton HS (Miss.) took the Gold Medal with “Sincerely,” about the power of the written word when read in the form of a letter. Norwalk HS (Conn.) fi guratively shattered “Glass” as the line broke through barriers of personal darkness, capturing the Silver Medal. Chantilly HS (Va.) entered a

rainforest in “Into the Wild,” earning the Bronze Medal while characterizing traits of indigenous animals.

Old Bridge HS (N.J.) took charge of its underdog position in “No White Flags,” valiantly refusing to surrender to overwhelming odds. Cy-Fair HS (Texas) fi lled the fl oor with greening shrubbery in “The Arbor Eff ect.” Los Alamitos HS(Calif.) explored the exuberance of youth in “Skip,” with members performing while skipping rope. “Turning Heads” of Great Oak HS (Calif.) eff ectively directed the heads of the audience to various parts of the fl oor.

Flamenco music fi lled “Don Juan Sevilla” by Hilton HS(N.Y.), the snare line matadors impressing the female dancers. Clover HS (S.C.) took the Fans’ Favorite Award with “Pop,” exploring Pop Art, pop music, the sound of popping


Norwalk HS (PSO)

Clover HS (PSO)

Cy-Fair HS (PSO)

Old Bridge HS (PSO)

Chantilly HS (PSO)

FAN FAV

FAN FAV

Valley Independent Percussion (PIO) Spirit of America (PIO) Pioneer Indoor (PIO)

River City Rhythm (PIO)

38 WGI FOCUS



http://www.innovativepercussion.com/

corks, and ending with someone drinking a can of soda pop. Lebanon HS (Ohio) utilized LED lights as stars in “What Dreams May Come,” proceeding from sleep, passing through nightmares, and ending with tender dreams.

A graphic of desert dunes enhanced “Mirage” by Trumbull HS (Conn.), blue LED lights seen as water by a thirsty man. BCC Drumline (Thailand) became the fi rst international line to perform in a Scholastic Finals with “Believe,” stressing faith in one’s passion, imagination, and dreams.

Percussion Independent ALone Star Independent Percussion (Texas) won the class with “Shifted,” full of metallic machine sounds that went on until the members were “turned off ” at the end. Chattanooga Independent Percussion (Tenn.) performed acrobatic feats of dexterity in “Balanced,” taking the Silver Medal. Liberty University Indoor Drumline (Va.) secured the Bronze while fi ghting off the increasingly threatening weather of “Storm.”

Civitas Independent (S.C.) sampled Nelly’s “Hot in Here” during “Bring the Heat.” eNVision (Nev.) explored the “Chemistry” of science as well as two people in love. Paradigm Percussion (N.C.) provided examples of apples found in history and folklore in “Apple.” Farmington United Percussion Ensemble (Mich.) gradually replaced their black fl oor with a variety of colors in “Linear Projection.” Velocity Indoor Percussion (Fla.) captured the Fans’ Favorite Award with “The Greatest of All Time,” following the life of Muhammad Ali, with cymbal players practicing left hooks with their instruments.

Railmen Indoor Perc. (Neb.) led us through the fi rst moon landing with “One Small Step,” featuring Van Morrison’s “Moon Dance” and Debussy’s “Clare de Lune.” Clarksville Audio Theater (Tenn.) viewed a romantic breakup in “Burn-ing Bridges,” seen from the woman’s point of view. The cymbal line of REEF Independent (Fla.) couldn’t make it through “Change of Heart” without experiencing a cardiac


FAN FAV

Liberty University Indoor Drumline (PIA)

Velocity Indoor Percussion (PIA)

Chattanooga Independent Percussion (PIA)

40 WGI FOCUS

Civitas Independent (PIA) eNVision (PIA)


event. Anything that could be associated with a circus clown made its way into the “Clown Couture” production of PureFu-sion Percussion (Mass.).

Percussion Scholastic A Victor J. Andrew HS (Ill.) won the class with “Let It Rain.” Members were dressed in faux raingear and were surround-ed by the sounds of an ongoing downpour. Kamiak HS (Wash.) won the Silver Medal with “Our Finest Hour,” based on inspirational speeches regarding stepping up to adversi-ty. Edwardsville HS (Ill.) took the Bronze with “The Classics,” a sort of classical music version of “Name That Tune.”

Gilbert HS (Ariz.) started out blindfolded in “Open Your Eyes,” metaphorically urging the audience to not go through life unaware of its surroundings. Bellbrook HS (Ohio) gradually fi lled in a giant jigsaw puzzle in “Peace by Piece,”

with each section being a famous classical music motif. Sparkman HS (Ala.) explored primal aggression in “untamed,” which featured a variety of jungle sounds. Freedom HS (Va.) won the Fans’ Favorite Award for “Look Within,” an intro-spective quest to know oneself, based on the writings of Khalil Gibran.

Decatur Central HS (Ind.) utilized chess pieces, dice, and a Monopoly board in “Every Game Is Life.” La Cañada HS(Calif.) braved a snow emergency in “The Journey Home,” eventualy making it safely back to comfort and warmth. Fort Mill HS (S.C.) fought oppression and tyranny in the Big Brother-tinged “Project Human.” Greenfi eld-Central HS (Ind.) explored and obliterated a substantial variety of irrational beliefs in “Superstition.” The members of Eagan HS (Minn.) played on silhouetted drums through illuminated fabric in “Shadows.”

FAN FAV

Freedom HS (PSA)

Kamiak HS (PSA)

Bellbrook HS (PSA)

wgi.org 41

Gilbert HS (PSA) Edwardsville HS (PSA)



42 WGI FOCUS

Percussion Scholastic Concert WorldAyala HS (Calif.) won the title with “A Timeless World,” featuring marimbists on castanet machines. Rowland HS(Calif.) earned the Silver Medal with Tchaikovsky’s “Scenes from Swan Lake.” The Bronze Medal went to Muscle Shoals HS (Ala.) for “The Palace of Nine Perfections,” infused with Japanese taiko drumming. Corona del Sol HS (Ariz.) captured the Fans’ Favorite Award with the whimsical “OMG”—in this case, short for “Orange Man Group.”

Muscle Shoals HS (PSCW)

Grassfi eld HS (PSC0)

Mansfi eld HS (PSC0) New Philadelphia HS (PSC0)

New Palestine HS (PSC0)

Kiski Area HS (PSC0)

Percussion Scholastic Concert OpenGoshen HS (Ind.) won its class with “Rainforest” while evoking exotic environmental sounds. Mansfi eld HS (Mass.) captured the Silver Medal with “The Way Up,” followed by the Kiski Area HS (Pa.), whose Bronze-medal winning show was called “As They Watch Over Us.” Among the other fi nalists were New Philadelphia HS (Ohio) for “Piped In,” New Palestine HS (Ind.) for “Red, Hot, and Righteous,” Pine Creek HS (Colo.) for “Supernova,” the Fans’ Favorite Award-winning Grassfi eld HS (Va.) for “Scenes from Swan Lake,” Golden HS (Colo.) for “Mendoza,” and Scottsburg HS(Ind.) for “Piano Concerto No. 2.”

For a complete list of scores and more coverage from the 2014 World Championships, go to wgi.org.

Corona Del Sol HS (PSCW)

FAN FAV

FAN FAV

Rowland HS (PSCW)



http://www.vicfirth.com/

2014 WGI percussion World ChampIonshIps

44 wgi focus

With the thunderous boom-crack of the World Champion-ships still echoing in the minds of all in attendance, the Finale gives members a chance to share a well-earned “ahhh” moment and recognize their accomplishments as individuals, as ensembles, and as one big group united in rhythm. Competitive rivalry gives way to the shared appreci-ation of all the rudiment drills, rehearsals, and shows that carried each and every one of them to Dayton.

sticking together


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www.wgi.org 46 wgi focus

Percussion and color guard leaders share their experiences in launching a successful group.By Michael Boo

Starting a WGI Ensemble

WGI has always been a welcoming place for new ensembles that can provide members with an experience that meets organization’s rules and standards. And with a new Winds division debuting next season, there will be more fresh faces in WGI events than ever. What does it take to launch a new group? “It’s a long process, requiring a vision for the long haul,” adds Shavon Garcia Stack, director of Imbue Winterguard. After premier-ing in 2009, Imbue first made the IW Finals in 2012 and finished third in 2014. “It is imperative that you are familiar with WGI rules before you begin your new program.”

Perhaps the best place to start is by studying the educational materials that WGI provides for new groups. “‘Creating a Competitive Winter Guard’ [PDF] is the absolute starting point,” says Shirlee Whitcomb, WGI’s Director of Color Guard Develop-ment. “It’s free on WGI.org. Just click on Color Guard>Educa-tional Articles>Creating a Winter Guard.” A similar guide for percussion can be found at WGI.org>Percussion>Educational Articles>Creating an Indoor Percussion Ensemble.

Whether you’re talking guard or percussion, it can take a year or more to plan a group’s first season, assemble a staff, recruit members, design a show, and train performers. Your plan must account for rehearsal facilities, equipment, transportation, insurance, a payment schedule for mem-bers, fundraising, and more. “Figure out everything that doesn’t involve spinning or drumming, so that you can spin and drum,” says Chad Moore, who has been with perennial World Class Percussion finalists United Percussion since the

group began as an Indepen-dent Open Class line in 2003. “As part of the funding plan,” he adds, “I would take the time to make sure your group is registered as a 501(c)(3).”

If all that seems daunting, it’s important to know that new ensembles never have to go it alone. Both Stack and Moore point out that WGI is full of more experienced leaders who are ready to help. “To this day, I am always blown away by how willing people are to share their knowledge,” Moore says. “I have asked ‘big names’ on both the percussion and the color guard side, and they always help and give advice. Everyone seems to ‘pay it forward.’”

Reaching out to the local community is also important. Social media can help get the

word out, but new groups should also establish a rapport with local band directors, who can literally open doors at school facilities (for practice) and help recruit members. Scholastic groups may have an easier time finding rehearsal space, but for independent ensembles, finding a place to practice can be challenging and expensive. Sometimes, rehearsal (and even storage) space can be secured in exchange for helping to train the school’s ensembles.

Speaking of training, when launching a new group, Stack says it’s important to set realistic goals for staff and mem-bers. Focus early rehearsals on developing technique and try not to write a show that’s beyond your members’ abilities. “Be patient: Your training program can take several years to develop,” she explains. “It will always be growing and adapting, especially when you’ve got performers with a wide variety of backgrounds and technical abilities.”

“It’s a long process, requiring a vision for the long haul.”

clinic

Imbue

unIted PercussIon

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Q U A L I T Y . S U P P O R T . P R O F E S S I O N A L I S M . V A L U E

Champions Depend on Yamaha.Yamaha congratulates Pulse Percussion, which just brought home its second WGI WorldChampionship. Pulse plays the new Yamaha 9300 Series Marching Snare Drums and new 8300Series Multi-Toms and Bass Drums. Like all Yamaha marching percussion instruments, theydeliver superior hardware performance, increased tone projection and exemplary articulation.These features are the result of ten years of Yamaha research with the world’s top performingensembles. So it's no surprise that these instruments — placed in the hands of an indoorpercussion group with the talent and ingenuity of Pulse — build champions!

“Just when we thought things couldn't get better, they did! We were fortunate to debut the brandnew line of marching percussion from Yamaha this season and were exited for everyone to havethe chance to hear these great instruments in action. Years of testing has paid off to create aneven better line of battery instruments with the same great qualities you expect with even betterupgrades all around!”

– John MapesProgram Coordinator, Battery and Visual Designer

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hether it’s a touring act or a marching competition, the real world is a harsh, brutal place for drum equipment. That’s why, after four decades, Tama continues to develop its gear side-by-side with the artists who play our drums. Not only are our many innovations pretty clever, they’ve been proven to work “in the trenches.” Our snares and carriers are great examples of ingenious solutions to age-old problems that have been winning the attention of marching drummers everywhere. Get the whole story at Get the whole story at tamamarching.com

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The Difference Between

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WGIQImages

The 2014 World Championships featured ensembles from 36 states and fi ve countries. Can you name the state (or province) and country of origin for the groups pictured here?

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ATX Winterguard

Legacy

Mechanicsburg HS

Ben Davis HS

Field of View

Rowland HS

Jamestown HS

Trumbull HS

Paramount

Farmington

Interplay

Dojo

Upland HS

Decatur Central HS

St. Brendan

Capital City

Empire

Hilton HS

Washington HS

Vigilantes Indoor

Nease HS

Sparkman HS

Eclectix

PureFusion

Hart HS

Answers at wgi.org/wgiq

10_WGI_Winter2014 _WGIQ_RG.indd 1 5/15/14 4:33 PM


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WGI Spring 2014 FOCUS

Documents

Transcript of WGI Spring 2014 FOCUS