WGI 2012 Spring FOCUS

spring 2012

focus the official news of wgi sport of the arts

CHINO HILLS GOES GOLD

TRAINING

TIPS

FOR AN ACTIVE

SUMMER

NORTHVIEW

FLOCKS

TO THE FINALS

(for the 22nd time!)

FIRST PLACE FOR

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FAN FAVORITES OF WGI SEASON 35

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The Best Reason To Play Drums The Best Reason To Play Drums WGI_Temp.indd 1

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focus

wgi

the official news of wgi sport of the arts

SPRING 2012 Volume 26, Issue 2

Winter Guard International Ron Nankervis Executive Director Bart Woodley Director of Operations Aaron Jenkins Marketing & Communications Manager Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC Irwin Kornfeld CEO Will Edwards President Angelo Biasi Publisher Mac Randall Editor-in-Chief Jackie Jordan Creative Director Robin Garber Production Director Barbara Boughton Business Manager Contributing Writers: Debbie Galante Block, Michael Boo, Alex Mendoza, Cathy Applefeld Olson, Michael Reed Photography: Adam Alonzo, Jolesch Photography, Lisa Kennedy , Dan Scafidi, Linda Unser, Sid Unser

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INSIDE 7 ENSEMBLE

Glee choreographer Zach Woodlee pays a visit to Dayton ... The South African inspiration for Spirit of America’s gold medal-winning show ... The 2012 WGI Scholarship winners ... Blue Knights’ Alex Entin profiled ... and much more!

14 CLOSE-UP

Usually, you couldn’t get away with calling the Northview High School color guard a bunch of chickens, but this year it’s totally appropriate.

16 SPOTLIGHT

In an emotional ceremony, three percussion greats enter WGI’s Hall of Fame.

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WINTER GUARD INTERNATIONAL 2405 Crosspointe Drive Dayton, OH 45342 937-247-5919 office@wgi.org www.wgi.org

20 COLOR GUARD

28 PERCUSSION

The World Class finals were a California dream, George Mason University stunned viewers from the word go, and Woodbridge High School’s concert ensemble had a record-setting day.

WGI FOCUS is a free publication with a circulation of 14,000 copies and 12,000 online viewers. All members of the WGI family may submit articles for consideration. WGI reserves the right to edit all submitted material.

For advertising information please contact Aaron Jenkins; phone: 937-247-5919; email: aaron@wgi.org

2012 WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS The Onyx/O2 family brought home two gold medals by taking an artistic approach to the competition, while Flanagan High School went to prison and Freedom High School made time for romance.

WGI FOCUS is an educational publication of WGI Sport of the Arts. Its purpose is to broaden communication within the family of color guards and percussion ensembles. FOCUS is published three times per year.

If your address has changed, please notify the WGI office. Failure to do this could result in the loss of your WGI FOCUS subscription. We don’t want to lose touch with you!

Eye-popping athletic feats made North Coast Academy the winner of 2012’s PIW Fans’ Favorite award.

36 CLINIC

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Ready to take the summer off? Not so fast! If you want your performing skills to stay sharp, it pays to keep busy— whether you’re marching in drum corps, taking a spin clinic, or even attending an art class.

42 WGIMAGES

The Sport of the Arts celebrated a big anniversary this season. But what really made the 35th WGI World Championships memorable wasn’t history; it was, as always, the performers.

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NEWS FROM THE FLOOR AND MORE

ZACH WOODLEE TAKES GLEE IN COLOR GUARD Before Glee choreographer Zach Woodlee came to the WGI World Championships in April, he had never been exposed to winter guard. His entire previous experience with equipment handling had come as a backup dancer for Madonna’s 2004 tour, which featured six male dancers attempting to spin rifles without losing an eye.

Woodlee, who was in Dayton to give the traditional Day After clinic on the Sunday after color guard finals, proclaimed himself stunned to witness this “sports hybrid with an infusion of artistic dancing and guard equipment.”

He referred to the finalists’ routines as “literal eye candy,” and said that what impressed him most was the versatility of all the guard members.

Reflecting on his own background, he said, “I know multiple types of dance, but I don’t have an inanimate object spinning 20 feet in the air while jumping over someone and dodging a fl ag prior to catching what’s falling.”

At the clinic, Woodlee taught attendees the same stretching and warm-up exercises he gives the cast of Glee, as well as a routine to “Sail” by AWOLNATION. Afterward, he shared his newfound enthusiasm: “We must get something like this on the show; it’s so applicable to high school life. Our cast needs to go watch a competition.”

Zach Woodlee led this year’s Day After color guard clinic.

Getting increasingly excited about the possibilities, he added, “What this sport needs is more exposure, and Glee would be a great way of doing that. Perhaps one of our episodes could infuse a guard routine with a live singing performance. The beauty of both performances in tandem would be worth the effort.” Stay tuned!—Michael Boo

FANS SELECT MORE FAVORITES THIS YEAR Sponsored by Sabian, the WGI Fans’ Favorite awards—selected by text-message voting during the color guard and percussion finals—have broadened their range this season. For the first time, fans could vote in separate Independent and Scholastic categories for each class. The 2012 Dorman High color guard winners were Aimachi (IW), School Flanagan High School (SW), University of Alabama Alta Marea (IO), Nease High School (SO), Lexis (IA), and Lakota West High School (SA). The 2012 percussion winners were North Coast Academy (PIW), Walled Lake Central High School (PSW), River City Rhythm (PIO), Dorman High School (PSO), eNVision (PIA), Mechanicsburg High School (PSA), and Corona Del Sol High School (PSCW). Congratulations to all! www.wgi.org

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DOWNLOAD OR DVD? In an election year, WGI fans are facing a special kind of Decision 2012: whether to get their Finals videos on DVD (choice of nine volumes, delivered by early July) or via download (available by class starting May 31).

Go to wgi.org/store/2012 for more details.

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FINDING GOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA In our Winter 2011 issue, we talked to the Spirit of America percussion ensemble in Orleans, Mass., about the group’s upcoming trip to South Africa. A year and a half later, that trip is history, but its legacy continues—in the memories of everyone involved and in Spirit of America’s 2012 show “Spirit Fusion,” which won the ensemble a gold medal in this year’s PIA finals.

One of the highlights of Spirit’s journey last September was a dueling drum exchange with the South Africa Womba Drummers in Soweto. As the This photo and percussionists played, a local below: Scenes artist named John Adams from SOA’s trip to South Africa set up a canvas and started painting. “He painted one of our drummers and one of the South African drummers together in this very dynamic picture,” Spirit artistic administrator Mike Hale recalls, “and that picture wound up becoming the floor design for our winter show.”

As its title implies, “Spirit Fusion” combines musical elements, merging American jazz harmonies with African instruments and rhythms. “The kids were really excited to bring home what they experienced in Africa and share it with what turned out to be a whole lot of people in Dayton,” Hale says.

Everyone can use some comfortable and goodlooking warm-up gear, and The Contender jackets and pants, available through McCormick’s, fit the bill.

The jackets have a 100% soft polyester interlock shell with mesh-lined front, zippered side pockets, and an inside pocket with external collar feature for ear buds or a hands-free mobile device; the pants have an open bottom hem with 12” zipper leg closure. Jackets come in nine color combinations, while pants offer a choice of six colors for men and two for women (navy or black), all with white piping.

Custom screen printing, tackle twill, and embroidery is available.

For more information, go to mccormicksnet.com.

Sponsor Resources Page Offers Educational Benefits

Many of WGI’s percussion sponsors—including Evans, Innovative Percussion, Pearl, Pro-Mark, Sabian, Vic Firth, Yamaha, and Zildjian—are heavily invested in music education.

On their websites, you can find a wide range of text and video lessons covering various aspects of the percussion activity. WGI has made it easy to hunt down all these lessons by posting links on its Percussion Sponsor Resources web page, which is a kind of one-stop shop for learning about percussion.

Direct your browser to https://www.wgi.org/ contents/Sponsor-Resources-Perc.html.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR GET RECOGNIZED

L to R: Buell, Rightmyer, Mark Ackerson (volunteer coordinator), Kramer, Beastrom

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At the WGI World Championships, only part of the action takes place on the floor.

Behind the scenes, lots of people are working hard to ensure that the event runs smoothly. Every season, we recognize just a few of these exceptional folks as our Volunteers of the Year. This year’s awards went to four well-deserving individuals: Eric Beastrom, who helped with score tabulation; Jamie Rightmyer, who worked as assistant site manager at the Dayton Convention Center for the Independent A color guard prelims; and announcers Richard Kramer and Allen Buell, who kept audiences informed. Many thanks to Eric, Jamie, Richard, and Allen!

SPIRIT OF AMERICA PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SPIRIT OF AMERICA BAND

John Adams (R) and a Spirit member with the “Spirit Fusion” painting

Warm Up in Style and Comfort with The Contender

www.wgi.org

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NorthCoast Academy Snareline

Bring it in. Only a few stand here each year. These are the ones that made it to the end.

Before the show, they take a moment with each other to prepare for where they’re going, and sometimes look at where they’ve been. This is for them and only them.

NEVER BE THE CROWD Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone or visit www.quantummarching.com/MFMarching to see more of Northcoast Academy

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Taylor Marvin Northglenn HS

Samuel Carlberg Sabine Francois Interplay Cypress Creek HS

Eric Boetcher Gateway Indoor

John Gaal Forsyth Central HS

Samuel Hendry Petal HS

Nicole Moore Kickapoo HS

Jacob Cornett Kings HS

Liane Friedberg MSU Guard

Laura Galarza West Forsyth HS

Krista Kohring Zydeco

Katelyn McIntosh Wakefield HS

Joseph Dunning Salem HS

Vaishnavi Balendiran Arcadia HS

ALL SMILES FOR 2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS The WGI Scholarship Program celebrated a bumper crop

this year: Fifteen talented young performers are new scholarship recipients. All of the 2012 winners were announced at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, and all are pictured on this page, including Sabine Francois of Cypress Creek High School, winner of the Bob Wiles Memorial Scholarship; Taylor Marvin of Northglenn High School, winner of the Yamaha/Dennis DeLucia Scholarship; and John Gaal of Forsyth Central High School, winner of the Zildjian/Mark Thurston Scholarship.

Will Rumley Aria

Each ensemble registered to compete in the World Championships may nominate one member for scholarships. A nine-person committee representing WGI judges, instructors, directors, staff, and other members reviews the applications. Since its inception, the WGI Scholarship Program has provided over $400,000 to participants. For more information, visit wgi.org/about/scholarship.php.

Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors Presenting Sponsors

Corporate Partners

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©2012 Avedis Zildjian Company.

CONGRATS WGI WINNERS

PERCUSSION INDEPENDENT WORLD Riverside Community College

PERCUSSION INDEPENDENT A Spirit of America Percussion Ensemble

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC WORLD Chino Hills High School

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC CONCERT WORLD Woodbridge High School

zildjian.com

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A FEW WORDS WITH ALEX ENTIN Battery arranger/caption head for Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble As a young percussionist, Alex Entin performed with three principal organizations: the marching and concert bands of Pomona High School in Arvada, Colo.; the Cavaliers drum corps; and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and Percussion Ensemble. Today, he’s still working for all three—as percussion director at Pomona, snare technician for the Cavaliers, and battery caption head and arranger for the Blue Knights winter percussion group. In addition, he’s taught various Colorado scholastic ensembles, including Loveland, Fossil Ridge, and Fairview.

How he got into percussion: I grew up playing piano and was fairly proficient, but I wanted to do more than The Cavaliers in 2011 that and one of my music teachers mentioned the Pomona marching band.

I’d had no exposure to anything like that before, and I really enjoyed it. So I stayed with it all four years. My original goal was to be in the front ensemble, but I tried out for the bottom bass spot and they said, “Okay, you’re playing bottom bass for the duration.”

The year after that I moved to snare, and for the last two years I was the drum line captain.

Early overachievement: At some point toward the end of high school, I realized that I’d been at a rehearsal or wearing a drum every day except Sunday for two straight years. I’d started marching with the Blue Knights in my junior year, while I was still in the Pomona band. It was ambitious, but I was surrounded by people who loved drum corps, and that kept me going. After three winters and three summers, though, I was burnt out and I stopped for a while. The opportunity to join the Cavaliers in ’07 was what brought me back. It was my age-out year, and I figured that if I didn’t try it then, I’d never know if I could do it. I’m really glad I had that experience, especially now that I’m teaching.

Returning to Pomona High: When I was a performer there, I kind of took the program for granted. But coming back after not having been there for years, I’ve come to realize that it’s one of the better programs out there. Now we’re trying to build it back up to its old level. We may not make 12 WGI FOCUS

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Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble at the 2012 WGI World Championships

it to Dayton this year, but we’re working on it. I’ve been very lucky because we haven’t had many age-outs, and the kids definitely want to stick with the group.

What’s different about WGI today: The activity has changed so much, even in the last year with the addition of lighting. In my performing days, the name of the game was just marching and playing. Movement wasn’t such a big thing. But now, if you don’t pay enough attention to that, you’re down a level. And the result of that is that the kids are way more aware—of what they’re doing, what the other members are doing, and how they all relate to each other—than I ever was.

His proudest moment: After the WGI World Championships this year, a lot of the members in the Blue Knights were bummed about their placement. But from Alex Entin my vantage point, I just saw a in 2003 group of kids that had worked so hard, been so professional, and really jelled together. I can’t take credit for it because it was all them. That was actually the proudest I’ve ever been after a show.

An earlier appearance in this magazine: When Blue Knights won in 2003, I was one of fi ve people featured on the cover of WGI Focus [see above]. I saw it and thought to myself, “Holy cow, what’s going on?” And everybody was giving me grief about it. People would say, “Hey, poster boy!” and stuff like that. It was pretty cool. www.wgi.org

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Close-Up

Feathery Fun with

Northview High School Veteran Guard Has Good “Cluck” in 22nd Finals Appearance

By Cathy Applefeld Olson

S

ome unusual sounds were emanating from the gym this past winter at Northview High School in Brazil, Ind., as the color guard practiced for what they hoped would be their 22nd finals appearance at the WGI Color Guard Championships. Under the guidance of longtime director Ruth Ann Medworth, this year’s Northview show, “Queen of the Coop,” was both complex and quirky, combining music from the Mozart opera The Magic Flute (whose central figure is called the Queen of the Night) with a chanteuse singing in the parlance of…a chicken.

“It has a classical feel to it, but then it’s somewhat comedic too, in that the guard members do some chicken talking,” Medworth says.

“It’s a playful year for us.

You don’t want to be so campy you’re not taken seriously, but we continually try to add to the fun aspect of the show. I think that’s what the judges and the spectators want—a little bit of chicken.”

Medworth, who was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame last year, knows a thing or two about what pleases crowds. In her 35-plus years working in the color guard realm—almost 15 of them as vice president of WGI—she’s seen trends come and go. Every year, every competition, she gleans a few pearls of wisdom.

“You want to try to do something that’s of the time, but

still maintain your own identity,” she says. “We have a history of trying new things, but the bottom line is you always have to be good at what you do.”

Northview also has a history of success. The color guard did indeed make it to the finals for the 22nd time (“Queen of the Coop” took 14th place in the 2012 Scholastic World class). Medworth describes this year’s group—a mix of upperclassmen and first-timers—as “even-keeled and pretty drama-free… We work hard, and we try to do everything we can to make them have a great experience. We hope they’ll come back – even the ones who are graduating.”

In fact, it was Northview color guard grads who gave Medworth one of the most cherished memories in her lengthy career. After years of trying to stage a reunion, alums from last year all the way back to 1985 returned to campus for a halftime show in January. Some who were local got in a few practices; others who came from out of town got in only the dress rehearsal before the game.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I thought we’d have a few old girls, but when all was said and done we had 48 who came back from all those years,” Medworth says. “Many of them changed their Facebook profile picture to show them in their costumes, and that’s the ultimate sign they had a great time. They’re making plans to do it again next year.”

“We have a history of trying new things, but the bottom line is you

always have to be good at what you do.”

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Spotlight

L to R: Jimmy Haskell, Scott Johnson, Jim Wunderlich

Ceremony Hails New

Hall of Famers Three Percussion Greats Are the Latest to Earn WGI’s Top Honor

By Alex Mendoza

O

n the evening preceding the 2012 WGI Percussion World Championships, the most respected names in the percussion activity gathered at the Dayton Marriott to honor the three latest inductees to the WGI Hall of Fame. It was a well-received ceremony, with all those in attendance sharing smiles and tears of joy.

Videos chronicling the accomplishments of each individual played out as emotional vignettes featuring family and friends, a testimony to the flourishing talents of three men who have all, in different ways, changed the landscape of the percussion activity.

JIMMY HASKELL In 1985, Jimmy Haskell started his run with WGI as a timing and penalties judge. Ten years later, he assisted with the first-ever Indianapolis Percussion Regional as a T&P judge/logician, only to end up as the announcer by the finals portion of the competition. In addition to his work with six-time Concert champions the Franklin Central Percussion Symphony, he dedicated 10 years to starting and stabilizing the Indiana Percussion Association in many administrative roles. It wasn’t until 2001, however, that he worked his first WGI Championships event as the logician for the Percussion Administration team, a role that he continues to fill today.

JIM WUNDERLICH Although he started his musical life on piano, Jim Wunderlich switched to drums with his alma mater, Mission Viejo High School—for which he has since served as the front ensemble instructor and arranger for over 20 years Jim’s longstanding interest in synthe16 WGI FOCUS

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sizers and sequencers has helped him craft groundbreaking front ensemble scores for groups such as Loara High School and Riverside Community College. His work with the Blue Devils has brought the percussion section two Fred Sanford Awards within two short years (2007 and 2009), and he has been instrumental in the recent success of Tokyo’s Soka Renaissance Vanguard. Jim’s name is synonymous with pioneering efforts that push sampling, electronics, and front orchestration to the next level.

SCOTT JOHNSON Many people say they’ve been involved with music for most of their lives, but in Scott Johnson’s case, that’s literally true; he started playing at the tender age of four. Since then, Scott has marched drum corps with the Blue Devils, earning a DCI I&E and PASIC Individual Drum Trophy, and becoming a member of the staff while still marching with the corps in 1978.

He assumed the role of Director of Percussion for the ensemble in 1994, and soon branched out to teach other drumlines such as 1997 PSA champion Clayton Valley and 2002 PIW champion RCC. Scott then became a WGI judge, as well as a member of the first Steering Committee. He has also served on the percussion advisory board for several years.

Earlier in the 2012 season, peers and colleagues had composed letters detailing their reasons why these three particular individuals should receive this distinguished honor. The letters were then placed before the WGI Steering Committee and discussed before the committee reached a final decision. www.wgi.org

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image by jolesch photography

image by jolesch photography

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s ip h s n io p m a h C ld r o W I 2012 WG

THE MARCH OF

TIME Father Ryan HS

Trumbull HS

Timber Creek HS

Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble

Identity

Forsyth Central HS

Opus 10

Dojo

WGI reached a major milestone in 2012: its 35th season. How best to observe such an anniversary?

The same way the Sport of the Arts celebrates every new year—with thousands of young performers giving it their all on the floor in Dayton.

Old Bridge HS

Upland HS

Gateway Indoor

Imbue

Pride of the Netherlands

eNVision

Monarch HS

Cypress Independent

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h C ld r o W d r a u G r lo o C 2 201 Independent World

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SANTA CLARA VANGUARD John Henry: a story for our time

ONYX Blank Canvas

Scholastic World

o celebrate WGI’s 35th year of providing stellar entertainment, over 280 color guards from throughout North America—and a few from across both neighboring oceans— gathered together in and near Dayton, Ohio, from April 12-14 for the 2012 WGI Color Guard World Championships. For the 27th time since 1983, finalists from each of the six classes met at the University of Dayton Arena. And fittingly, given the anniversary, they regaled audiences with some of the most memorable productions yet witnessed on the floor of that venue.

Independent World

Onyx (Ohio) placed first for the second time in three years

with “Blank Canvas,” performed on a blank white tarp with the guard members’ bodies figuratively being the paintbrushes against the canvas. A lone, long cylindrical prop resembled a pen, adding visual accents to the unseen designs of the blank floor. Last year’s champion, Santa Clara Vanguard (Calif.), took the silver medal with “John Henry: a story for our time.” The most striking element of this show was the live narration by a professional acting coach, which brought a unique humanity to the performance. The bronze medal went to Pride of Cincinnati (Ohio) for “Preaching to the Choir,” which examined the personal decision that individuals make regarding God. Rifles continuously went airborne over soapboxes (that later became pews and a pulpit), like locusts and hail descending from the heavens.

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FLANAGAN HS Project Innocence

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d Championships

Onyx and Flanagan HS Recapture Top World Class Honors

by Michael Boo

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PRIDE OF CINCINNATI Preaching to the Choir

Japan’s Aimachi took 4th place for “HANA,” about hope and achieving one’s dreams, featuring loads of improbable baton work. Zydeco Colorguard (Ohio) charmed the audience with “Remember the Tinman,” the story of the beloved character from The Wizard of Oz. “The Thousand Yard Stare” was Braddock Independent (Fla.)’s disturbing story of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Fearless Symmetries” by Opus 10 (Colo.) was like the brush strokes of an abstract modern painting coming to life. In another nod to The Wizard of Oz, Blessed Sacrament (Mass.)’s “Ozone” placed the members in the middle of a cyclone as black-and-white turned to color. Memories of a childhood home took center stage in “Interior” by Imbue (Calif.), which longed for the simpler pleasures of youth.

Cypress Independent (Texas)’s “Ex Post Facto” delved into the conflict between a man and a woman. “Together We Can Make It” by Black Watch (N.J.) highlighted an understated method of exchanging equipment. “A Good German” by Fantasia (Calif.) explored the disturbed conscience of a German World War II soldier, and “The List” of First Flight (N.C.) conveyed the dreams of a concentration camp resident. Alter Ego (N.J.)’s “i” asked, “Who am I?,” while Emanon (N.J.)’s “Rise and Fall” was one of the most avantgarde color guard presentations ever seen by this writer.

Scholastic World

Flanagan High School (Fla.) won gold for the first time since 2008 with “Project Innocence,” sharing the goal to free those

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JAMES LOGAN HS Out of the Blue

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2012 Color Guard World Championships who have been wrongly imprisoned. The lead character felt rage as fl agpoles surrounded him like prison bars, and the rifles were caught so close to the floor that it defied comparison. James Logan (Calif.) garnered the silver medal with “Out of the Blue,” a show that didn’t seem to be about anything other than the magnificence of color guard.

Defending champions Carmel (Ind.) took the bronze with “Word,” giving every member a chance to recite live text while treating the poetry as music.

From Warren Central (Ind.), “The Elephant in the Room” was about ignoring obvious issues and carrying on despite crises that won’t disappear by themselves. “Metamorphosis” by Seminole (Fla.) evolved from all-black visuals to allred by the end. Trumbull (Conn.) performed “Beneath This Canvas” on a tarp that was an exact replica of the UD Arena floor, with members growing out of it.

“The Box” of Lawrence Central (Ind.) was intentionally creepy, as the members climbed in and out of plywood boxes, sometimes as if they were coffins. The fl ags of “Alla Prima” by Arcadia (Calif.) seemed to drip color onto the floor, representing the technique of painting on a wet surface.

With “WTC-9/11,” West Broward (Fla.) captured the trauma of the most horrific day in recent American history.

In “Comforts of Home,” Timber Creek (Fla.) lovingly built on the opening narration, “A house is made of wood and beams; a home is made of hopes and dreams.” The angst-laden “V” by Chino (Calif.) recreated some of the rebel scenes from the movie V for Vendetta.

Independent Open

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O2 Memory...

Scholastic Open

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FREEDOM HS That Which We Call a Rose

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LAKE CENTRAL HS Aftermath

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USF WINTERGUARD It Gets Better

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FeniX INDEPENDENT The Fourth Dimension Norwin (Pa.) explored “Human Nature” in an environmental awareness show about how humans are messing up the planet. “La Construction de La Tour Eiffel” of Tarpon Springs (Fla.) reviewed the building of the most famous structure in Paris. Northview (Ind.) became chickens for “Queen of the Coop,” a very funny look at the world of fowl. Americas (Texas) captured the last spot in Finals with “Rapunzel,” about the legendary girl who couldn’t afford to have a bad hair day.

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NEASE HS Social Construction

Thanks to O2 (Ohio) winning the class with “Memory…,” the Onyx organization captured the top two gold medals to be awarded in their hometown this season. A mesmerizing, seemingly effortless production kept the audience’s jaws permanently glued to the floor. Just 0.10 behind the winning score, USF (Fla.)’s silver-medal “It Gets Better” explored the emotional stress of being bullied. The bronze medal went to FeniX Independent (Ariz.) for “The Fourth Dimension.”

A silent equipment feature sans music lit up the arena in “Come on Home” by Brigadiers Winter Guard (N.Y.). The futuristic “Network” by Identity (Texas) suggested what humanity must do to progress in the coming years. “Awoke in Beijing” filled Spectrum (N.Y.)’s floor with red and various visual elements of Chinese culture.

Remaining guards in the class included the University of Alabama Alta Marea (Ala.: “Kingfishers Catch Fire”), State of Art (Mich.: “The Silver Lining”), Interplay (Mich.: “Love www.wgi.org 23

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2012 Color Guard World Championships Independent A

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IMPACT INDEPENDENT Moving On

Is an Army”), The Pride of the Netherlands (Netherlands: “Van Gogh—The Dutch Master”), Code Black (Texas: “Elegy”), The Pride of Missouri State (Mo.: “Renaissance Man”), Field of View (Pa.: “Twenty-Twelve”), MBI (Minn.: “Turning Tables”), and Co-Motion Winter Guard (N.J.: “Vincent”).

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PHOENIX INDEPENDENT The Psychodynamic Perspective

Scholastic A

Scholastic Open

Freedom High School (Fla.) won the gold medal with a lovely and classy production of “That Which We Call a Rose,” set to Dianne Reeves’ version of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Like a Lover.” The silver medal went to Lake Central (Ind.) for “Aftermath,” about women getting over a man who broke their hearts. Nease (Fla.) won the bronze medal with “Social Construction,” a show that created an effect akin to watching paint come off a canvas instead of being applied to it.

North Syracuse Central (N.Y.) offered a visual interpretation of a solo piano work in its production “Chromatic Fantasy.”

Recovery from tragedy was the theme of “Brand New Day” by South Brunswick (N.J.), and Upland (Calif.)’s “Inception” was like entering someone’s exceedingly strange dream.

Remaining guards in the class included Cypress Bay (Fla.: “Requiem”), Marian Catholic (Ill.: “Pompeii Awakened”), Claudia Taylor Johnson (Texas: “Ohmmm...”), Pope (Ga.: “Hear Me Roar”), Ayala (Calif.: “The Snakes of Medusa”), Greenfield-Central (Ind.: “In This Shirt”), Cypress Creek (Fla.: “Crossing Boundaries”), Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.: “Frozen Angeles”), and Walled Lake Central (Mich.: “Amazing Grace”).

1

ST

97.15

SOMERVILLE HS Broken, Rise, Empowered

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Independent A

Impact Independent (Va.) won the gold with “Moving On,” while the silver medal went to Phoenix Independent (Ohio) for “The Psychodynamic Perspective.” “For the Boys” won Lexis (Ky.) both the bronze medal and the Fans’ Favorite award. Luminosa (N.Y.) took fourth with “Hope,” fifth went to University of Central Florida Pegasus (Fla.) for “Grown Unknown,” and sixth was earned by Patriots (N.Y.) for “Fluidity.”

Remaining finalist guards included Shenendehowa IA (N.Y.), Ventures (Canada), Salem Blue (N.H.), Southeast Independent (Tenn.), Ars Nova (Texas), National Avenue (Mo.), The Edge Independent (Ga.), Delazure (Del.), and MEDEA (Fla.).

Scholastic A

3

RD

95.50

LEXIS For the Boys

2

ND

96.55

ANDY DEKANEY HS Who I’m Meant to Be

Somerville High School (N.J.) captured the gold medal with “Broken, Rise, Empowered,” followed by Andy Dekaney (Texas) with the silver-medal performance of “Who I’m Meant to Be.” “Time Goes By” earned Lincoln-Way North (Ill.) the bronze. Taravella (Fla.) took fourth with “This Bitter Earth,” Westerville Central (Ohio) placed fifth with “What Lies Ahead,” and Lyman (Fla.) finished in sixth with “Rock Your Soul.”

Remaining finalist guards included West Orange (N.J.), Apopka (Fla.), Bellbrook (Ohio), Robinson (Fla.), Ola (Ga.), Bryan (Texas), Lakota West (Ohio), Cary (N.C.), and Lake Park (Ill.).

3

RD

93.95

LINCOLN-WAY NORTH HS Time Goes By www.wgi.org 6

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Innovative Percussion would like to thank the following groups for all of their support and congratulate them on another incredible season!

Independent World Music City Mystique - Silver Medalist Rhythm X Matrix NorthCoast Academy Gateway Indoor Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble Palmetto Percussion Vanguard Winter Percussion Tyler Junior College Scholastic Open Victor J Andrew HS - Silver Medalist Dorman HS Pace HS Green Hope HS Greenfield-Central HS New Philadelphia HS Independent Open George Mason University - Gold Medalist MN Brass Indoor - Silver Medalist Dark Sky Percussion Capital City Percussion River City Rhythm Legends Freedom Percussion

Scholastic World Ayala HS - Bronze Medalist Center Grove HS Father Ryan HS Forsyth Central HS Walled Lake HS Centerville HS Rowland HS Mt Juliet HS Milton HS Fishers HS Scholastic Concert World Woodbridge HS - Gold Medalist Ayala HS - Silver Medalist Rowland HS Indepedent A Chattanooga Independent - Silver Medalist eNVision Notre Dame Indoor Perc Ens Double Stop Indoor Percussion Frequency Ancient City Ensemble Revelation Three Rivers Indoor Percussion Groove Pursuit

Scholastic A Lebanon HS - Gold Medalist Freedom HS - Bronze Medalist Plainfield HS Foothills HS Kickapoo HS St Genevieve Elementary School Francis Howell North HS Clinton HS Arnold HS Findlay HS Athens Drive HS Decatur Central HS Walled Lake Central HS Nease HS Victor HS Tate HS Clinton Massie HS Hillsboro HS Powhatan HS Bellbrook HS Valhalla HS Olentangy Liberty HS Hagerstown HS Warren East High and Middle School Lebanon HS

Be Innovative...

Visit www.innovativepercussion.com for Media from the WGI Finals

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h C ld r o W n io s s u c r e P 2 201 Percussion Independent World

1

2

ND

ST

97.088

RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Gift

95.500

MUSIC CITY MYSTIQUE Nu-tribe

he 20th WGI Percussion Championships were a watershed event, with a record 189 entries, a record high score, and a packed house of drum enthusiasts. Many technological advances were also on display, as ensembles unveiled lighting effects that would make Vegas envious, large monitors with videos synchronized to the music, and even (in one case) an iPhone app.

Percussion Scholastic World

Percussion Independent World

Riverside Community College (Calif.) took its fourth title with “The Gift,” portraying the ferocity of war and the ultimate sacrifice made by heroes who lost their lives defending freedom. Letting out its inner caveman, Music City Mystique (Tenn.) used lighted tubes and domes in the distant-future-meets-prehistoric “Nu-tribe.” Pulse Percussion (Calif.) placed two groups in finals, as the “World” line explored the shifting sands of relationships that pass through our lives with “Coming and Going.”

Cutting-edge Rhythm X (Ohio) illuminated the way to wisdom with “enLIGHTened,” using a lighted seven-pointed star to brighten the path. Matrix (Ohio) probably needed termite insurance for “Wood You?,” incorporating a forest’s worth of wooden percussion instruments to travel a more acoustic route. North Coast Academy (Mich.) had the crowd on its feet after numerous eye-popping cymbal tricks and a spectacular left-handed mallet feature.

The controlling eyes of a mechanized tyrant watched for

1

ST

96.875

CHINO HILLS HS Predictable

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Championships

California Groups Sweep World Classes, Record High Score Set

By Michael Reed

any sign of emotion from Gateway Indoor (Mo.) in “Ministry of Love,” while United Percussion (N.J.) used three giant projection screens to show live group and audience shots during “NOW.” Infinity (Fla.) had us sitting on the front of our seats with the thrilling “On Edge,” while Pulse Percussion Open (Calif.) kept at it again and again…and again with the OCD-referencing “Obsessed.”

Also qualifying for finals were Tates Creek Indoor (Ky.)’s “Electrify,” “BK Crew” by Blue Knights (Colo.), STRYKE Percussion (Fla.)’s “Music in the Shape of a Square,” Eastside Fury (Mo.)’s “(No) Strings Attached,” and Palmetto Percussion (S.C.)’s “In My Dreams.”

Percussion Scholastic World

3

RD

94.825

PULSE PERCUSSION Coming and Going

2

ND

96.825

DARTMOUTH HS Evolved

Chino Hills (Calif.) led a quintet of California lines, as the state took a third of the finalist spots. Its “Predictable” was anything but, with surprises galore, including an unexpected trip back to the ’80s courtesy of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Dartmouth (Mass.) soared the skies in avian costumes over an urban metropolis during “Evolved.”

Ayala (Calif.) cast a long shadow “In the Dark,” using nine plasma-screen televisions that showed light-related images.

Arcadia (Calif.) fell just short of a title defense with “Brief Eternity,” but its members’ lightning-speed hands

3

RD

96.125

AYALA HS In the Dark www.wgi.org 2

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2012 Percussion World Championships Percussion Independent Open

proved that the group’s talent pool is deep despite heavy graduation losses. Center Grove (Ind.) hit anything that clanked with “Twisted Metal,” including a unique hi-hat feature in a program of largely heavy metal music. Father Ryan (Tenn.) applied the adage “The Show Must Go On,” overcoming Murphy’s Law with (intentionally) misplaced props, failed gimmicks, and faked injuries.

Mission Viejo (Calif.) took us beneath Tokyo into the world’s largest flood control project in “The Underground,” while Forsyth Central (Ga.) created an LED fantasyland in “Pure Imagination” with a captivating use of color-changing lighting. Walled Lake Central (Mich.) constantly moved keyboards around the glass-shard floor in “Shattered Perspective,” while West Bloomfield (Mich.) tried to break loose from sticky situations with “Stuck.”

Remaining finalists were Centerville (Ohio)’s “Equilize,” Rowland (Calif.)’s “Before I Sleep,” Mt. Juliet (Tenn.)’s “October,” Milton (Ga.)’s “City of Hope,” and Avon (Ind.)’s “Prime.”

Percussion Independent Open

George Mason University (Va.)’s journey began with a single step and went farther than the group’s ever been with “Go,” a blistering showcase that left the crowd breathless.

MN Brass Indoor (Minn.) raged against the dying of the light in a brilliant interpretation of the classic poem “Do Not Go Gentle.” Orange County Independent (Calif.) turned many heads with “Rhythm Is Life,” drawing inspiration from the

1

ST

94.900

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY Go

Percussion Scholastic Open

1

ST

97.413

SOUTH HILLS HS Home

2

ND

97.375

VICTOR J. ANDREW HS Until Tomorrow

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n

2

ND

93.525

MN BRASS INDOOR Do Not Go Gentle

3

RD

92.950

ORANGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT PERCUSSION Rhythm Is Life

heartbeat, music, and nature.

Dark Sky Percussion (Ariz.)’s members began “Lost” headed in the wrong direction, but found their way guided by the starlight on their costumes. Like millions of bits of data zipping inside a computer, Green Thunder (Ill.) brought us into “The Grid” with music from Tron: Legacy, while Dojo Percussion (Neb.) took us into a netherworld where “The Faun” grants a princess the immortality she had lost. Atlanta Quest (Ga.) could not be tamed in “Wild,” battering us into submission.

Also making finals were Pioneer Indoor (Ill.)’s “The Art of Illusion,” Capital City Percussion (Ohio)’s “The Fall,” Valley Independent (Calif.)’s “Reflection - Looking Into My Past,” River City Rhythm (Minn.)’s “Crossing the Line,” and Genesis Percussion (Mich.)’s “Strings Attached.”

Percussion Scholastic Open

3

RD

94.150

FRANKLIN CENTRAL HS Hindsight 20/12

South Hills (Calif.) won gold with the smallest line in the class. “Home” featured televisions showing scenes from a comfy middle-class house. Victor J. Andrew (Ill.) made our eyes moist in “Until Tomorrow,” with yellow ribbons reminding us of loved ones serving in the military overseas.

Franklin Central (Ind.) used mirrors positioned at the back of the floor to provide a unique view of the crowd watching itself in “Hindsight 20/12.”

Unseen messengers brought Upper Darby (Pa.) to the light in “Send Me an Angel,” as the group’s dark costumes www.wgi.org 31

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2012 Percussion World Championships gradually became whiter. A mad scientist controlled Dorman (S.C.)’s ensemble from a digital console, becoming worried as they continued playing after the power was cut off in “Plugged In.” King Philip Regional (Mass.) got the crowd to clap along with call-and-response patterns in “Code,” while Cy-Fair (Texas) demonstrated the analytical and artistic sides of the brain with “The Mind in Two.” Rounding out the finalists were Trumbull (Conn.)’s “Goodbye,” Old Bridge (N.J.)’s “La Corrida,” Monarch (Colo.)’s “Voice,” Clover (S.C.)’s “No Regrets,” and Pace (Fla.)’s “Vigilante!”

Percussion Independent A

Spirit of America celebrated the cornucopia of American music with “Spirit Fusion” (also see page 8). The vibrant colors of their set were matched by the equally bright array of timbres. Chattanooga Independent (Tenn.) did everything but pull a rabbit from a hat in “Abracadabra,” with card tricks and magic boxes conjuring drummers out of thin air. Vegas Vanguard (Nev.) emerged from the shadows

to exhort viewers to work for a better society in “Anarchy.”

A bleak future awaited Notre Dame Indoor (Ohio) in “Unplugged,” as the lone human not assimilated into a mechanized society was caught, caged, and wired in. Moving up fi ve positions from prelims, eNVision (Nev.) made the most of its opportunity for greatness with “eNVision Your Life.”

Double Stop Indoor Percussion (Ala.) endured long hours and a cruel bossman who fell into “The Furnace.”

Other finalists were Gulf Coast Independent (Miss.)’s “Redemption,” Salem Blue Devils (N.H.)’s “Incendia,” River Valley Independent (Ark.)’s “Great Expectations,” Frequency (Ga.)’s “Unconquerable,” Ancient City Ensemble (Fla.)’s “Tower of Babel,” and Marcato (Fla.)’s “Sin and Redemption.”

Percussion Scholastic A

Lebanon (Ohio) came into finals in third place and left with the title. “Release” featured orange strands of elastic that connected members while they performed. Mechanicsburg (Pa.) was a study in aggression in “The Tribal Af-

Percussion Independent A

1

ST

95.975

SPIRIT OF AMERICA PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Spirit Fusion

2

3

RD

ND

91.725

CHATTANOOGA INDEPENDENT Abracadabra

91.175

VEGAS VANGUARD Anarchy

Percussion Scholastic A

1

ST

96.125

LEBANON HS Release

2

ND

96.100

MECHANISCSBURG HS The Tribal Affect

3

RD

94.962

FREEDOM HS Out of the Blue

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Percussion Scholastic Concert World

1

ST

99.600

WOODBRIDGE HS The Bringer of Joy

2

3

RD

ND

96.350

AYALA HS The Absence of You

94.225

MUSCLE SHOALS HS The Music of Howard Hanson

Percussion Scholastic Concert Open

1

ST

94.500

HICKORY HS Taking Flight

2

3

RD

ND 91.850

MANSFIELD HS Third Wind: The Music of Pat Metheny

fect,” costumed in primitive garb and frenziedly pounding drums. Freedom (Va.) ascended to the bronze with “Out of the Blue,” flying the friendly skies to music ranging from Steve Miller to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Plainfield (Ind.) provided nostalgia with “If these walls could talk,” as a grandmother shared memories of the house she lived in with her granddaughter. Water, electricity, and traffic currents were illustrated by Seminole (Fla.) as “Flow” fluidly alternated between serenity and sonic tidal waves, while Nation Ford (S.C.) received our adoration in “With Arms Wide Open,” a beautiful production with deep spiritual undertones.

Remaining finalists were Downingtown West (Pa.)’s “Rebuild,” Westhill (Conn.)’s “Contact from Beyond,” Irondale (Minn.)’s “Tribus Electronica,” Mansfield (Mass.)’s “Sheltered,” Foothill (Nev.)’s “Playback,” and Kickapoo (Mo.)’s “From the Heart.”

Percussion Scholastic Concert World

Woodbridge (Calif.) was nearly fl awless, netting a record score of 99.6. “The Bringer of Joy” was a masterful

90.400

GOLDEN HS Simpatico

performance of masterpieces by Shostakovich and Holst.

Pioneering the use of video storytelling, Ayala (Calif.) conveyed a man’s unexpressed love for a childhood friend in “The Absence of You.” Muscle Shoals (Ala.) explored music from the symphonic realm, suggesting a concert-hall atmosphere with “The Music of Howard Hanson.” “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Rowland (Calif.) featured music of Bach, Mozart, and Verdi with a poetic twist. Other finalists were Tunstall (Va.)’s “The Planets” and Corona Del Sol (Ariz.)’s “Time Machine.”

Percussion Scholastic Concert Open

Hickory (Va.) took the crown with “Taking Flight,” featuring narration that described the flight of birds and the flying machines of man. Mansfield (Mass.) conquered the challenging polyrhythms of a jazz titan in “Third Wind: The Music of Pat Metheny,” while Golden (Colo.) found their jazz closer to home with tunes by fellow Coloradan Vic Cionetti in “Simpatico.” The remaining finalist was Salem (Mass.) with “Energetikos.” www.wgi.org 33

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See Zydeco perform in the spring; find out what it’s like to be part of the group in the summer.

Clinic

It’s

Not

the Off

Season The Summer Months Offer More Chances to Explore Creativity

By Debbie Galante Block

L

azy days of summer don’t apply to color guards or percussion ensembles. Although all coordinators agree that a little rest is necessary, they also agree that performers need to keep challenging themselves— even in the summer—if they want to improve their skills.

Luckily, there are many ways to do this, ranging from marching in drum corps to teaching other performers.

Organized clinics are another excellent option. For example, Zydeco Colorguard offers a summer series aimed at performers who want to experience “a day in the life of Zydeco,” in the words of director Byron Valentine.

The clinics are designed to resemble rehearsal days in the program; attendees are offered a dance class, technique time, and the opportunity to learn choreography at a range of levels from the instructional staff, marching members, and guest clinicians. “Many programs across the country offer ‘spin clinics’ like this,” Valentine says. “I highly recommend it to any performers looking to stay involved during the off season and broaden their range of knowledge.”

John Vega, coordinator and choreographer for Emanon Winter Guard, encourages members to take formal dance classes in the summer, preferably classes that take them outside their comfort zone. “It not only helps strengthen technique,” he says, “but it exposes participants to different styles of movement and to other creative outlets.”

Emanon also holds a clinic in July. It’s a one-day workshop event that provides staff and alumni with a chance

to meet new performers, as well as to stay in shape. “We can help further develop skills and also help prospective members who are interested in auditioning,” Vega explains. “It’s an opportunity to learn our equipment and learn the warm-ups. By audition weekend, participants will have already met their fellow performers and feel quite comfortable.”

Jeff Fiedler, CEO of Santa Clara Vanguard, notes that between the winter and summer competitive seasons, percussionists don’t have a lot of down time; many are three-season players.

However, even during short breaks, he urges participants to keep practicing on their instruments and expand their repertoire: “That’s going to make a better musician! Expanding into some of the other areas of percussion is a great idea. There is something to be said for being a specialist—maybe everybody knows you for snare drum— but it never hurts to try something additional.”

Also, musicianship can be increased by watching others. “It’s important to find out the standards of an instrument and who sets the bar,” Fiedler says. “Watch and listen to those people play. Listening skills have to be developed as well as your chops!”

Vega adds that classes taken during the summer don’t have to be geared toward the guard or percussion activities—any kind of creative work is a plus, even an art class.

“Summer offers the time to find what inspires creatively,” he says. “Explore!”

“There is something to be said for being a specialist, but it never hurts to try something additional.”

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DCI 2012 Map Focus Half Page (Apr 30).qxp

D R U M

C O R P S

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Page 1

EV 2 B EN IG TS !

P R E S E N T S

The 2012 Tour Premiere Monday, June 18

DCI World Championship Prelims: Big,Loud & Live 9 Thursday, August 9

For tickets, group rates & additional info, visit www.DCI.org

www.DCI.org/cinema

2012 DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS • AUGUST 6–11, 2012

PASIC 2012

Austin

R E T U R N S T O

O C T O B E R 3 1 – N O V E M B E R 3 Marching Festival 24 high schools, 10 colleges and 150 individuals compete for top honors, thursday, november 1. santa clara vanguard

Michael Burritt

sessiOns Over 120 concerts, clinics, master classes, labs, workshops, panels and presentations.

eXPO international Drum and Percussion expo with more than 120 exhibitors. steve gadd

line upon line percussion

Drum circles

Pedrito Martinez

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vOlunteer attend Pasic 2012 for Free by volunteering for the logistics team or the Marching crew.

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PALMETTO

BLUE KNIGHTS STRYKE EASTIDE FURY

PIW RCC PULSE MATRIX UNITED INFINITY PULSE OPEN TATES CREEK

PSW CHINO HILLS HS DARTMOUTH HS AYALA HS CENTER GROVE HS FATHER RYAN HS ROWLAND HS KING PHILIP HS TRUMBULL HS

PSO DORMAN HS

PIO MN BRASS PERCUSSION ORANGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT GREEN THUNDER ATLANTA QUEST

For more additional information about WGI and the WGI World Championships, please visit wgi.org PSA MECHANICSBURG HS IRONDALE HS

ROWLAND HS

PSCW AYALA HS MUSCLE SCHOALS HS

Remo would like to congratulate all WGI participants on another outstanding season.

PIA SPIRIT OF AMERICA VEGAS VANGUARD

REMO congratulates OUR WGI 2012 FINALISTS

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Take a lesson from Carol Abohatab, choreographer for the Santa Clara Vanguard Winter Guard and modern dance teacher for more than twenty years. > Across the Floor teaches you all you need to know about methods of travel, getting in and out of the ground, turns, leaps, and jumps > Technique Class offers a standing center class with technique for the spine, legs, and feet.

Available Summer 2012

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WGImages More performance highlights from this year’s Finals

Green Thunder

Lyman HS

Ayala HS

Double Stop Indoor

Rowland HS

Aimachi

Lawrence Central HS

Pioneer Indoor

Mt. Juliet HS

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Ventures

Nation Ford HS

Ola HS

Shenendehowa

Ancient City

Centerville HS

Co-Motion

Plainfield HS

Americas HS

Pace HS

Foothill HS

The Edge

Eastside Fury

North Syracuse Central HS

West Orange HS

Palmetto

www.wgi.org

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