WGI Spring FOCUS 2018

spring 2018

f ocus

the official news of wgi sport of the arts

ICONS INDUCTED

Flooring It! The Fast, Furious, and Fabulous Action from the 2018 WGI World Championships

WGI’ss NEWEST WGI’ HALL OF FAMERS

HONOR ROLL

WGI SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 2018

FOUR IS MORE!

WGI TO ADD A DAY TO 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

8 Time WGI World Champions Music City Mystique

3 Time WGI Winds World Champions Rhythm X Winds

Legacy Indoor Percussion

DISCOVER the Full Field Advantage with Pearl and Adams on your side.

Championship Marching Drums and Carriers, Adams Endurance Field Frame Front Ensemble Instruments, and Adams Marching Brass are all available from one trusted Company, Pearl.

Adams Instruments are proudly distributed in the U.S. by Pearl Corporation. www.pearldrum.com Photos: Jon Braude Photography

MATRIX

Throughout our journey we created something unforgettable.

We started as a group but we finished as a family.

Performances end. Memories last forever.

To learn more about the KHS America Academic Alliance, visit www.AcademicAlliance.com.

f ocus

Avon HS (SO)

inside

the official news of wgi sport of the arts

SPRING 2018 Volume 31, Issue 1

Winter Guard International RON NANKERVIS Executive Director

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BART WOODLEY Director of Operations

LEADING COLOR GUARD DIRECTORS SHARE THIS SEASON’S TESTS AND TRIUMPHS.

CRYSTAL WALKER Marketing & Communications Manager

2018 WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC IRWIN KORNFELD CEO WILL EDWARDS President EMILE MENASCHÉ Editor-in-Chief

16 COLOR GUARD

JACKIE JORDAN Creative Director

Paramount topped IW and Avon HS captured Gold in SW. Other color guard winners included UFC Pegasus Open (IO), Park Vista HS (SO), Pacificaires (IA), and Leander HS (SA).

MICHAEL R. VELLA Production Manager VANESSA SMALL Business Manager

30 PERCUSSION

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Hudson Barques Ginger Riley

2018 winners included RCC (PIW), Chino Hills HS (PSW), Matrix Open (PIO), Clear Brook HS (PSO), IMPACT Percussion (PIA), Plainfield HS (PSA), Fishers HS (PSCW), Clayton HS (PSCO), and Decatur Central HS (PSCA).

ADDITIONAL REPORTING Michael Boo Kathryn Hardison Michael Reed

48 WINDS

PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Alonzo Bill Grossman Lifetouch Photography Linda Unser Sid Unser

Gold was in the air for Rhythm X Winds (WIW), Flanagan HS (WSW), Chromium Winds (WIO), Azle HS (WSO), Valley Christian Performing Indoor Ensemble (WIA), and Lake Hamilton HS (WSA).

WGI FOCUS is an educational publication of WGI Sport of the Arts.

It is published every Spring and has a circulation of 16,000 copies.

To subscribe, visit wgi.org/focus

Chino Hills HS (PSW)

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

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DIRECTORS OF PERCUSSION MEDAL-WINNERS AND FAN FAVES SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE 2018 SEASON.

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Rhythm X (WIW)

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WINDS DIVISION LEADERS EXPLAIN WHAT MADE 2018 A SEASON TO REMEMBER.

9 ENSEMBLE

WGI expands overseas...

World Championships to adopt four-day format...

Three icons earn a place in the WGI Hall of Fame... and more!

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Success stories: Irondale HS and River City Rhythm

54 SCHOLARSHIPS

All of WGI’s 2018 honorees.

WGI FOCUS 5

INTRODUCING

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The DSI Crossover was developed specifically for marching bands and drum corps by a world-class podiatrist who regularly works with professional athletes and top drum corps.

Designed to meet the extreme demands of high performance marching movements, the Crossover outperforms other well-known athletic footwear.

Can be used for practice or performance by colleges, high schools, drum corps, or indoor percussion.

The Crossover features the Xtreme Tendon FitÂŽ in the midfoot which provides unmatched support and stability. It also has a one-piece rubber sole, canvas toe box, breathable mesh upper, StabilÂŽ heel cup, and an extra athletic-style eyelet for narrow feet.

For more info visit: http://crossovershoe.com Available from any authorized DSI retailer.

Suggested retail price: $49.95.

Marine Barracks

Washington, D.C.

e n s emb l e

NEWS FROM THE FLOOR AND MORE

WGI CONTINUES TO INSPIRE GROUPS OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA

WGI BUILDS ON OVERSEAS SUCCESS WGI has always stood for Winter Guard International, but recent initiatives and the growth of the marching arts outside North America are making WGI’s “I” more meaningful than ever before.

In April, WGI and the Asian Marching Band Confederation (AMBC) signed a historic agreement at World Championships in Dayton, combining the resources of the rapidly growing AMBC with those of the world leader in indoor marching arts. The effort is just the latest step in a program that began with the WGI Board of Directors’ 2015 resolution to expand the reach of the indoor marching arts outside North America. AMBC, founded in 2016, is part of a growing network of WGI-inspired color guard, percussion, and winds ensembles forming overseas.

In addition to efforts by local groups in their home territories, WGI has been supporting a growing number of competitive events in Asia and Europe while organizing educational programs with American clinicians in South

Africa, Japan, and the Philippines.

In 2017, WGI approved a $25,000 travel grant to fund international participation by U.S. based groups. Earlier this year, the program’s inaugural grant helped Warren Central High School Color Guard visit Chiba, Japan, to become the first American group to participate in a WGI event in Asia.

The list of overseas events continues to grow, with 2018-19 slated for WGI’s busiest overseas schedule thus far. At press time, events were confirmed for Jakarta Indonesia, Sisaket Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, and Tokyo, with more to be confirmed in the near future.

“The AMBC has been instrumental in WGI’s international development in Asia,” says WGI Executive Director Ron Nankervis. “We look forward to a long partnership in providing educational opportunities across the continent as well as their unique approach to the indoor marching arts.”

For more information and to see a list of groups participating in WGI Asia, visit the International section of WGI.org.

4-DAY FORMAT & ARENA UPGRADE Beginning in 2019, WGI is adding a full day of competition to both the Color Guard and Percussion World Championships in Dayton. Each will take place Wednesday through Saturday, allowing more groups in all classes to compete in the prelimiary rounds.

The WGI Winds competition will continue to take place on the Saturday

wgi.org

and Sunday of Percussion weekend. The new four-day format kicks off with Color Guard on Wednesday, April 3. The Percussion competition will begin on April 10.

In addition to the extra day, the 2019 World Championships will showcase the spectacular UD Arena makeover that that began in 2017. Phase 2 of the multi-year project is expected to be finished

by the start of the 2019 WGI Championships, and includes new entrances, expanded concourse, and new suites and club seats. You can follow the renovation’s progress through its Phase 3 completion in 2020 at transformudarena.com.

Tickets for the 2019 season, including the World Championships, go on sale in September at WGI.org.

WGI FOCUS 9

e n s emb l e BERESFORD, FAIRBANKS, AND JACKSON JOIN WGI HALL OF FAME In April, WGI proudly inducted three new members to its Hall of Fame: Tom Beresford, Tim Fairbanks, and Ike Jackson.

Over his distinguished career, Navy veteran Beresford built a reputation for prioritizing the needs of performers. In addition to his work with organizations like Holy Name Cadets, Sunrisers, St. Ignatius, and Phantom (FROM LEFT) and inspire students. He is not afraid to be Regiment, he served as WGI Regional TOM BERESFORD, TIM FAIRBANKS, different or try something new.”

Director and Contest Administrator AND IKE JACKSON Known as one of modern indoor percusfor Regionals and World Championsion’s “Founding Fathers,” Jackson has led Ayala ships, was the President of NCGA, and was at the High School to a WGI-record 21 medals. Prior to meeting to organize WGI in the 1970s. “For those joining Ayala as a teacher in 1991, Jackson marched who know Tom and have watched him work, his with Riverside Community College and the DCI attention to detail is always evident,” says George champion Blue Devils, and in 2005, founded Lindstrom (WGI HOF, 1996) “His first priority is to three-time PIW champion Pulse. “Ike has built a help ensure that the unit instructors, parents, and reputation as one of the most … forward-thinking members have the best possible experience.” designers and educators in the activity,” says Caleb Fairbanks is widely regarded as a marching Rothe. “He was an early pioneer of lighting and percussion pioneer and one of the top visual designflat-screen displays, writing the textbook on how ers in the activity. Best known for his work with to incorporate multimedia into indoor percussion Rhythm X and Centerville High School, Fairbanks presentations. Ike has [also] served on the built the latter from WGI World Championships Percussion Advisory Board and Steering Commitnewcomers in 1998 to Gold Medalists the following tee, helping to shape the direction of the activity year. “Many describe Tim as a risk-taker, innovator, and the ‘idea guy,’” says colleague and former student in subtle and profound ways.” See more at: wgi.org/2018-hall-fame-induction-ceremony.

Andrew Markworth. “He has the great ability to coach

MOVEMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Whether you’re performing in color guard, percussion, or winds, mastering movement is essential to success. In WGI’s downloadable Movement video series, renowned marching and dance instructor Carol Abohatab breaks the essentials into three parts.

“Warm Up” focuses dynamic alignment, core exercises, stretching and lengthening; “Across the Floor“ teaches methods of travel, weight shifting, turns, leaps, and jumps; and “Technique Class” off ers a standing center class with technique for the spine, legs, and feet. Find the videos at shop.wgi.org.

THE BEAT GOES ON

In its tenth year, WGI’s annual drum circle has become a World Championships tradition. Co-sponsored by REMO, Inc., and the Indianapolis-based Bongo Boy Music School, the 2018 event brought together hundreds of people for an inspiring jam session in the University of Dayton Arena parking lot. Everyone was invited, and those who came got a chance to beat on a range of diff erent drums with hands, mallets, and sticks. People without drums joined in with handclaps.

“Inside the arena, everyone is competing and performing under a certain pressure,” said Mark Thurston, Director of Percussion for WGI. “The drum circle is a chance to come together, let off some steam, and play as one percussion community.”

10 WGI FOCUS

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ARTICULATION AND PROJECTION WITH A SOFTER FEEL FOR REDUCED FATIGUE

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SCOTT JOHNSON Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps

...the artists behind the artists.

WGI1on1.com Irondale HS

online advice pays off in the

Arena

A big part of any group’s success is their ability to adapt to feedback. WGI 1on1 is an online service that gives groups access to some of the top designers, technicians, and adjudicators in the marching arts. By sharing soundtrack, costume and set designs, and overall program concepts in a virtual environment, users benefit from online consultations in the early stages of designing their program. Users can also submit rehearsal footage for tips on technique. During the season, instructors may continue consulting with peers or share video of their program with current WGI judges to request feedback.

receive feedback from the best adjudicators in the country at a time in the season that best fit our needs was invaluable to Paul Weber, Director of Irondale HS, RCR,” says RCR Director, Patrick Lyons. decided to use WGI 1on1 because it “Since our regional is earlier in the creates the opportunity to receive season, getting feedback from the people feedback regardless of a group’s geowho may see us in Dayton gave us a lot of graphical location. “The last two years, we confidence in the decisions we made as River City Rhythm sent in a video late in the season, once we we went into the final stretch.” felt our product was in its final state,” he Through two Judge Evaluations (Effect-Music and says. After receiving a considerable amount of feedback, Effect-Visual), RCR was able to prioritize the areas for Weber focused on the items that could make the biggest improvement before World Championships to give them impact in a short amount of time. “Both years, we imple“the best shot at competitive success,” Lyons adds. “The mented a half a dozen suggestions. They were little things, judges were obviously careful about making design decibut they made a big difference—most of which only took a sions for us, but did a nice job commenting on what worked few minutes of rehearsal time.” and what didn’t work.”

Weber adds that the process was user friendly and that Lyons feels the investment was worthwhile and the he received a response within 72 hours. “The most challengtechnology allowed for very detailed analysis. For example, ing aspect was choosing the consultant that best fit our one of the adjudicators “provided a recording of his computneeds. Each one of them brings a breadth of unique experier monitor where he was able to stop the show and give ence and knowledge to the table.” comments specifically around that part of the show,” Lyons This feedback from industry experts helped Irondale says. “It was awesome! Both judges told us that they close their season with the PSA Silver Medal at 2018 WGI watched our show a few times prior to making a recording World Championships. with their commentary. It felt like both times, the judges were well prepared prior to giving their input.”

Judge Evaluations Both Weber and Lyons said they plan to use WGI 1on1 in With WGI 1on1, you can also gain insight and input from the future. “I recommend that others utilize this service,” WGI adjudicators without the worry of transportation costs, Weber says, “especially if you live in a region where it’s entry or membership fees, or scheduling conflicts. Independifficult to bring in consultants with recent experience in dent Open percussion ensemble River City Rhythm put the programming successful shows”.

WGI 1on1 Judge Evaluation tool to the test. “To be able to

Expert Consultations

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new faces SHINE AT FINALS

Paramount (IW) Avon HS (SW)

2018’s World Championships set an amazing new standard for WGI performance and creativity.

By Ginger Riley

The winner’s circle at the WGI 2018 Color Guard World Championships (April 12-14) featured both familiar names and groups new to the ranks of the elite, but the biggest winner was the activity itself.

Wrapping up WGI’s 41st season of competition, the performers in all classes demonstrated that the relentless drive to push creative boundaries that characterized WGI’s first four decades shows no sign of slowing down. And despite the obvious desire to win, competing groups showed the respect and appreciation for one another that has long been a hallmark of WGI events all over the country.

“The thing that stood out the most to me at World Championships this year was the support you could see between competitors,” notes Matthew Rummel, Director of both CGT Dallas (IW) and CGT Denton (IO). “I witnessed several occasions of groups complimenting and appreciating hard work of all kinds. It is great to see that even in the tense environment of World Championships, the love for our activity stands above the need to win.”

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PaciďŹ caires (IA)

UCF Pegasus Open (IO) Park Vista HS (SO)

Leander HS (SA)

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Independent World After finishing sixth last season, Paramount (Ga.) took top honors with “Describe You.” Afterward, director Andria Foerch credited the performers’ commitment for the group’s success.

“The 22 veteran members started the season by recruiting for the group. From the very first rehearsal, they took any opportunity to try new things and explore the possibilities.

They really dug in to work together to make the show come to life.”

With “To Bare My Soul,” 2017 champ Pride of Cincinnati (Ohio) was less than half a point behind, another strong performance by a group with an expanding reach. “This year we had our first member who was living in Canada, Roxanne Roy,” says Pride’s Charlie Gumbert. “She would drive back and forth every week. Hearing her say it was worth every second of driving she put in to be a member of Pride of Cincinnati made my entire weekend.”

“the love for our activity stands above the need to win.”

Pride of Cincinnati (IW)

Blessed Sacrament’s (Mass.) Beethoven inspired “Furious Elise” earned bronze in a tight podium battle with CGT Dallas (Texas), whose “Dust and Ashes” earned the Fan Favorite award. “What made ‘Dust and Ashes’ work was the commitment by the performers to bring their characters to life every time they performed,” Rummell says. “Our goal was to try and blend the theatricality of a Broadway musical and the excitement of a World Class color guard.“ Imbue celebrated its 10th anniversary by rounding out the top 5. The rest of the IW finalists included Californians Diamante with “Don’t Blink,” UCF Pegasus World (Fla.) with “Guernica,” Onyx (Ohio) with “A Year From Monday,” Fantasia (Calif.) with ”Judy,” Etude (S.C.) with “Apple,” AMP Winterguard (N.J.) with “La Famigla,” Bluecoats Indoor (Ind.) with “Soundcheck,” Cypress Independent (Texas) with “Passengers,” Black Gold (Texas) with “Chasing Time,” and in the group’s first-ever World Class Finals appearance, Interplay (Mich.) with “From Pieces to Peace.”

Scholastic World Avon HS (Ind.) staged the memorable “Forgotten Circus” to earn the Gold Medal, delivering a performance that balanced emotion and athleticism. “What made the show work this season was our ability to control mood throughout the program,” says Avon’s Daniel Wiles. “These high school performers took the audience on an emotional journey that had them on the edge of their seats through each act.”

CGT Dallas (IW)

FAN Fav

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Blessed Sacrament (IW)

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Gold

Silver

Bronze

Top Ranking Groups for Color Guard

Independent World

Paramount Describe You

Pride of Cincinnati To Bare My Soul

Blessed Sacrament Furious Elise

Scholastic World

Avon HS Forgotton Circus

Trumbull HS Once Upon a Time

Carmel HS Emerging

Independent Open

UCF Pegasus Open Sit Down

CGT Denton Jacob’s Dream

The Brigadiers From Behind the Wall

Scholastic Open

Park Vista HS Break the Silence

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park The Artist Is Present

El Dorado HS Bluish

Independent A

Pacificaires A Chair for Mom

Black Gold A Bach in Black

JMU Nuance Winterguard The Winds of Change

Scholastic A

Leander HS Reflections

Marian Catholic HS Locomotive

Decatur Central HS Light of Mine

Runners up Trumbull HS (Conn.) also brought tension to the floor with “Once Upon a Time,” with the performers’ hands literally tied for part of the show. “We knew the biggest challenge would be asking the girls to spin with their hands bound,” Trumbull’s Eric Babula says. “Performing choreography, with a limited range of motion in the arms and hands was a challenge for everyone. The 25 young ladies faced the challenge head-on.”

“One of my ‘takeaways’ from 2018 WGI World Championships was how incredibly talented all of the performers are!” says Rosie Queen, who led Carmel HS (Ind.) to a bronze with “Emerging.” “Ten years ago, I don’t think we would’ve ever imagined the performers attempting all of the incredible choreography and tricks that they are performing today. Every class of Imbue(IW)

competition is truly pushing the performers to their limits. It is fascinating to think of what the future holds for our activity if we keep forging ahead on this path!”

Flanagan HS took fourth with “U,” while SO Fan Favorites West Broward HS (Fla.) riffed on the city game with “Downtown” to finish fifth. “Carousel of Time” by Center Grove HS (Ind.), “Free” by Tarpon Springs HS (Fla.), and “Stress Fractures”

by Shenendehowa HS (N.J.) rounded out the top eight.

The ninth slot, “Through the Sands of Time” by Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.), drew a standing ovation in light of the devastating tragedy that took the lives of so many of the performers’ classmates and teachers. Ayala HS (Calif.) finished 10th with “Meraki.”

Diamante (IW)

Trumbull HS (SW)

UCF Pegasus World (IW)

Carmel HS (SW)

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Other shows earning a place in the SW Finals included “Stand” by Northview HS (Ind.), “Raising the Barre” by Miamisburg HS (Ohio), “Untitled Works” by James Bowie HS (Texas), “Checkmate!” by Warren Central HS (Ind.) and “A World Less Ordinary” by Norwin HS (Pa.).

INDEPENDENT OPEN UCF Pegasus Open (Fla.) topped IO by overcoming a number of interpretative and physical obstacles. “Our biggest challenge was our table prop,” says director Kevin Griner. “Our show was called ‘Sit Down’ and centered around a giant table in the middle of the floor. It was actually four huge tables pushed

together. Sometimes, in order to find peace, we must put down our weapons and come to the table to talk things out. Sometimes that doesn’t happen. Throughout the season, the guard [rarely] had the table at practices due to gym doors and prop transportation, so we would just use markers for practices and members would see the table only at shows. It showed how mature these kids were!”

Taking Silver with “Jacob’s Dream,” CGT Denton (Texas) showed that young performers could deliver a mature performance. “What I thought would be our biggest challenge ended up being a pretty easy feat,” says director Matthew Rummel.

“Their growth from day one to the last day is still an inspiration to me.” A stirring soundtrack—some sung by the members themselves, brought poignancy to “From Behind the Wall” and earned Brigadiers (N.Y.) a well-deserved Bronze.

Reverie (Ga.) was “Charmed” in fourth place, while ORIGINS Tarpon Springs HS (SW)

Flanagan HS (SW)

Center Grove HS (SW)

West Broward HS (SW)

CGT Denton (IO)

FAN FAV 20

WGI FOCUS

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(Texas) explored the place “Where Dreams Begin.” George Mason University Winterguard (Va.) put on an elaborate display in “Cheval de Carrousel,” while Paramount Open Winterguard (Ga.) brought the audience “Under a Lilac Tree.”

The Fan Favorite award went to the volcanic “Tambora” by FIU Winterguard (Fla.), “What made our show was definitely the energy and the uniqueness of our soundtrack, the geometric design, and most importantly, the performers,” says FIU’s Enrique Perez. “I believe it’s so important to make design choices that make your performers excited. The kids were able to merge themselves into the music and enjoy creating a world that has never been explored. Being able to let the performers become one with the design inspired the staff to create a show that allowed them to embrace their true potential.”

The Brigadiers (IO)

Vox Atrium (Calif.) stepped up with “2 Steps Away,” while Legacy Presented by Carolina Gold (N.C.) was able to “Weather the Storm” to complete the top 10. The rest of the Finalist shows included “With Stand” by Avidity Independent (Mo.), “Woodwork”

by The District Independent Presented by Etude (S.C.), “The Light of the World” by Alta Marea Winterguard (Ala.), “More than Minus” by The Pride of the Netherlands (Netherlands), and “Begin Again” by Legacy Performing Arts (Ind.).

Scholastic Open Park Vista HS (Fla.) took Gold with “Break the Silence,” while “The Artist Is Present” earned Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (Mich.) a Silver Medal. “The performer’s faith in us as a staff when putting together the show was truly remarkable,” says Plymouth-Canton’s Lucas Schmidt. “We asked them to do some things that could have been silly or strange but they totally went for it, trusting us, and it ended up making the production something special!”

Reverie (IO)

FIU Winterguard (IO)

ORIGINS (IO)

FAN Fav 22 wgi focus 22

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“Ten years ago, I don’t think we would’ve ever imagined the performers attempting all of the incredible choreography.”

El Dorado HS (Calif.) turned “Bluish” into Bronze, while Texas outfits McNeil HS and Eastlake HS completed the top 5 with “By What We Give” and “Graffiti,” respectively. The rest of the top 12 included Marvin Ridge HS (N.C.) for “The Trapeze Artist,” Ben Davis HS (Ind.) for “Once Upon a Chair,” Oviedo HS (Fla.) for “Gone too Soon,” West Shore School District (Penn) for “Not,” South Brunswick HS (N.J.) for “Life in the Fishbowl,” Lowndes HS (Ga.) for “Dancing Light,” and Milford HS (Ohio) for “Unknown Lover.”

Moving from SA to Scholastic Open, Dartmouth HS (Mass.)

finished 13th and earned the Fan Favorites award with “Lilith of Eden.” “We find it so important to have audience engagement and storytelling as part of our program,” says Dartmouth’s Addison Kaeterle. “With the new challenge of Open Class, our goal was to show everyone that we were ready.

Our male soloist Jesse, who played Adam, is 12 years old— imagine being 12 and making the Open Class Finals? Our unsung hero was Kasie Le, our captain and member of the program for seven years. She cut her finger down to the bone after prelims and still managed to perform the show in finals. What a trooper!”

Other Finals-worthy shows included “Sub Astra” by Bentonville HS (Ark.), “Everything Everywhere Matters to Everything”

by Fishers HS (Ind.), “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Timber Creek HS (Fla.), “Joan” by Cleveland HS (N.C.), “Sonya” by Klein Oak HS (Texas), “The Last Breath” by William R Boone HS (Fla.), and “One Twentyone Two Thousand Seventeen” by Hamilton Southeastern HS (Ind.)

El Dorado HS (SO)

PlymouthCanton Educational Park (SO) Dartmouth HS (SO)

McNeil HS (SO)

Eastlake HS (SO)

Marvin Ridge HS (SO)

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Independent A After missing the Finals last year, Canada’s Pacificaires (B.C.) earned Gold this time with “A Chair for Mom.” “This was by far one of the best WGI Championships we have attended,” says director Alan Dyck. “What started out to be a rocky season [with] inexperienced young members turned out to be an amazing success. The level of growth that each member accomplished was beyond our expectations. A big thanks also to the staff, who did an amazing job—they are definitely our unsung heroes.”

Silver went to Black Gold A, which was also voted IA’s Fan Favorite for “Bach in Black,” which delivered elegance and edge to the music of the Baroque master.

“The Winds of Change” by JMU Nuance Winterguard (Va.) Black Gold A (IA)

earned Bronze thanks to “the extra push from the students,” says JMU’s Carly Philip. “They set their own homework video assignments, critiqued each other, and entered selfreflections after each performance. Their efforts outside of rehearsal made this season succeed on a higher level.”

A stunning performance of “My Type” brought Charles Towne Independent (S.C.) from seventh place to fourth, while “The Last Unicorn” by Georgia State University Winterguard (Ga.) brought a rainbow to the floor. Artistry IN BLUE (Ohio) made the top six with the globe-trotting “The World Is Round.”

“A Candy Overture” gave Smithfield-Selma Independent (N.C.) a sweet seventh place, while Quebec, Canada’s 3rd Legend looked for “A Better Place.”

In “Music City Rising,” Eklipse (Tenn.) presented the skyline of hometown Nashville, while “Leaves, Branches, Roots” by i-Squared (Calif.) carried a tree theme to complete the top 10.

Other IA Finalist-worthy shows included “Impossible Times

by Tampa Independent (Fla.), “In This Shirt” by Anesidora

Charles Towne Independent(IA)

FAN Fav

JMU Nuance Winterguard (IA)

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(Colo.), “Big White Room” by National Avenue (Mo.), “Blue” by Reverie A (Ga.), “Untold Story” by South Shore Jr. Cadets (Ill.), “Foolish Games” by Florida State Winter Guard (Fla.), “Cult: Deprogrammed” by Ovation (Mich.), Dissolution by Malachi Independent A (Colo.), “On the Edge” by Pegasus A (Fla.), and “Smile” by Carolina Visual Productions (N.C.).

“This was by far one of the best WGI Championships we have attended.”

Scholastic A

“Locomotive” put Marian Catholic HS (Ill.) on track for a Silver medal despite the relative inexperience of the crew.

“Our guard this year was composed primarily of freshmen and sophomores with only a few upperclassmen in the bunch,” says Marian Catholic’s Kate McIlvain. “The young performers were relentless in their pursuit of personal growth and development, striving always to rise to the level set by our veterans—and our upperclassmen were excellent leaders and mentors. We truly had a blast this season and can’t wait for more fun ahead!”

Decatur Central HS (Ind.) shined in “Light of Mine.” “The kids completely brought this production to life,” Decatur’s

If Leander HS (Texas) felt awed by making its first appearance in the WGI World Championships, it didn’t show in the Gold-winning performance of “Reflections,” set to Anthem Lights’ version of the Michael Jackson hit “Man in the Mirror.”

“There are so many [versions] of just one song, it comes down to finding the right one,” says Leander’s Will Callaway. “It’s the version that you think is going to be the special one, that’s going to set the mood for the judges and audience. I think if we went with a different version it wouldn’t have had the same effect.”

Artistry IN BLUE (IA)

Marian Catholic HS (SA)

Georgia State University Winterguard (IA) wgi focus 25

Meghan Brackett says of the Bronze-winning show. “They showed up eager. Above all else they were encouraging and incredibly supportive of one another in success and failure, which made the team feel so much more like family.”

“Amor Immortus” by Green Hope HS (N.C.) and “Nocture”

by Clovis HS (Calif.) completed the top 5, followed by Keller HS Varsity (Texas), with “Just Like a Movie” and “Silhouette” by Fleming Island HS (Fla.).

A stellar performance of “The Black Hole: A Stars End” earned Newsome HS (Fla.) SA’s Fan Favorite Award. “Esbat Rite” by Colerain HS (Ohio) and “You Never Show All of You” by Billerica Memorial HS (Mass.), rounded out the top 10.

Fifteen more groups earned their way into the SA Finals this year, including (in order of finish): Lake Howell HS (Fla.), Rancho Cucamonga HS (Calif.), A.A. Stagg HS (Ill.), Cumberland Valley HS (Pa.), Southern Regional HS (N.J.), Father Ryan HS (Tenn.), Middletown HS (Ohio), Northwest Cabarrus HS (N.C.), Cary HS (N.C.), Westwood HS (Texas), Damonte Ranch HS (Nev.), Lake Orion HS (Mich.), Fort Mill HS (S.C.), Lockport Township HS (Ill.), and Flushing HS (Mich.).

Green Hope HS (SA)

Decatur Central HS (SA)

Clovis HS (SA)

Keller HS Varsity (SA)

Newsome HS (SA)

FAN Fav

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RHYTHM X

TWENTY FIVE YEARS

AYALA HS

Thanks to these finalists and all other ensembles who made Innovative Percussion the most widely used stick and mallet in WGI.

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Rhythm X SILVER MEDAL Music City Mystique

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James Logan HS Leigh HS

Cap City Percussion Dark Sky Percussion

San Marino HS Fishers HS

Atlanta Quest

PIA

PSCA

IMPACT Percussion GOLD MEDAL FIU Indoor Percussion BRONZE MEDAL Railmen Indoor Percussion Vegas Vanguard Nomad Indoor Crossroads Percussion

Decatur Central HS GOLD MEDAL St. Genevieve HS BRONZE MEDAL

PSCO

Huron Valley Percussion

Hickory HS BRONZE MEDAL Plainfield HS

PSA

New Philadelphia HS Goshen HS

Plainfield HS GOLD MEDAL Dorman HS BRONZE MEDAL Bellbrook HS Sunlake HS McGavock HS

PSCW Fishers HS GOLD MEDAL Ayala HS SILVER MEDAL

Temple City HS Minooka Community HS

InnovativePercussion.com

PSO Victor J. Andrew HS BRONZE MEDAL Sparkman HS Union HS Lawrence Township Greenfield-Central HS Boswell HS

PIO Matrix Open GOLD MEDAL ConneXus Bakersfield College Freedom Percussion River City Rhythm Legacy Performing Arts Percussion Ensemble Open Revelation Audio Theater

Record Breakers RCC and Chino Hills topped the World Classes in one of the biggest and baddest WGI Championships ever.

RCC (PIW) Chino Hills HS (PSW)

By Danny Miles Dayton was shaking when one of the most competitive percussion lineups in WGI history descended upon the city on April 19-21 for the World Championships. “The atmosphere was incredible,” says Josh Peterson, who led IMPACT Percussion to PIA top honors in the group’s maiden trip to Dayton.

“You could feel the energy in the parking lot and in the arena, and really connect with the performers. Even though groups were competing against each other, there’s a strong sense that we’re all on the same team—which was very cool.”

Percussion Independent World RCC (Calif.) captured its sixth Gold Medal with “Listen,” a show driven by urban beats and topped off with an ear-grabbing jazz trumpet solo. Silver went to Rhythm X (Ohio), whose “All the World’s a Stage” drew from pop standards like “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “What Is Hip?”. With “Fall,” Broken City (Calif.) used an autumnal theme to take Bronze.

Electric guitars played a role in “Guarded” by Pulse Percussion (Calif.), while “Disciples” by Music City Mystique (Tenn.) conjured up partially skinned zombies. Sixth-place Infinity (Fla.) created a “Dreamscape.” United Percussion (N.J.) 30 wgi focus

IMPACT Percussion wgi.org(PIA)

Matrix O (PIO)

PlainямБeld HS (PSA)

Clear Brook HS (PSO)

Decatur Central HS (PSCA)

Fischers HS (PSCW)

Clayton HS (PSCO)

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WGI FOCUS 31

Percussion Scholastic World

presented “The Last Days of Night” while Matrix (Ohio) delivered “White Noise.” STRYKE Percussion (Fla.) channeled The Twilight Zone in “Nightmare at 30000 Feet” to earn Fan Favorite. Monarch Independent (Texas) were animated in “Manga.” POW Percussion (Calif.) pondered “The Fate of Kings.”

George Mason University (Va.) tapped “The Memory Archive.” Cap City Percussion (Ohio) asked what might happen “When Two Worlds Collide. Dark Sky Percussion (Calif.) meditated on “Transcendence,” and Atlanta Quest (Ga.) soared into the Finals with “Fly to Paradise.”

“You can feel the energy... and you can really connect with the performers.”

Rhythm X (PIW)

With a record-breaking score for “Seek and You Shall Find,” Chino Hills HS (Calif.) earned its fifth PSW Gold medal in seven years. “The performers’ efforts were through the roof,” says director John Mapes. “WGI is the best week of the year. We love everything about it—from the interaction with other groups to the insane audience response to seeing all the PIW groups.”

Dartmouth HS (Mass.) offered an “Out of the Box” look at Barbie and Ken to earn Silver. Bronze went to “This Is Me” by Arcadia HS (Calif.).

With “The Blessings,” Ayala HS (Calif.) used spoken word and powerful staging to dramatize the challenges faced by those in need. “What made the show work this year,” notes Ayala’s Ike Jackson, “were the 82 chairs that we defined as the obstacles [confronting] the destitute in their darkest time of need.”

Franklin Central HS (Ind.) went “Beyond,” while 2017 PSO champs Burleson Centennial HS (Texas) stepped up to World Class with “Salvation Lies Within.”

“Reimagine” by Avon HS (Ind.) offered a colorful study in contrast. Center Grove HS (Ind.) explored interesting choreography in “Pioneers.” Lebanon HS (Ohio) made itself heard

Broken City (PIW)

Music City (PIW)

Pulse Percussion (PIW)

STRYKE Percussion (PIW) 32 wgi focus

FAN Fav wgi.org

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Percussion Independent World

RCC Listen

Rhythm X All the World’s a Stage

Broken City Fall

Percussion Scholastic World

Chino Hills HS Seek and You Shall Find

Dartmouth HS Out of the Box

Arcadia HS This Is Me

Percussion Independent Open

Matrix Open Unsteady

Spirit Winter Percussion Timeless Hydro-Flections

Infinity 2 The Sword in the Stone

Percussion Scholastic Open

Clear Brook HS Set in Stone

Old Bridge HS Visitor

Victor J. Andrew HS Breathe

Percussion Independent A

IMPACT Percussion Into a Rose

Unity Percussion Geppetto’s Workshop

FIU Indoor Percussion Immortal Masquerade

Percussion Scholastic A

Plainfield HS Fall

Irondale HS When it Ends

Dorman HS And the Tree was Happy

Percussion Scholastic Concert World

Fishers HS Anitra’s Dance

Ayala HS Songs of the Child

Muscle Shoals HS The Carmen Project

Percussion Scholastic Concert Open

Clayton HS Metheny Mood

Corona del Sol HS Dante: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso

Hickory HS Embellished

Percussion Scholastic Concert A

Decatur Central HS Down the Line

West Ranch HS The Soldiers of Aquarius

St. Genevieve HS Build

Dartmouth HS (PSW)

Ayala HS (PSW)

wgi.org

FAN Fav

Top Ranking Groups for percussion

Arcadia HS (PSW)

Franklin Central HS (PSW)

wgi focus 33

“Through the Silence,” while James Logan HS (Calif.) elected to “Trust the Silences.”

Leigh HS (Calif.) mated man and machine in “Becoming Human,” as Centerville HS (Ohio) awakened the vampires in “The Last Sunrise.” Petal HS (Miss.) opened a box of Ancient Greek mythology with “Pandora,” San Marino HS (Calif.) traded “Tyranny for Bliss.” “Mask” by Fishers HS (Ind.) portrayed a primitive but colorful power struggle.

PERCUSSION INDEPENDENT OPEN In its Gold Medal performance, Matrix Open (Ohio) was anything but “Unsteady,” topping a strong performance by Spirit Winter Percussion (Mass.) in “Timeless HydroSpirit Winter Percussion (PIO)

ConneXus (PIO)

Flections.” Infinity 2 (Fla.) pulled out “The Sword in the Stone” and found Bronze. “It’s important to recognize the long journey some of these performers have had,” says Infinity 2’s Kendall Montie. “The success of the season is a culmination of several years of hard work.”

ConneXus (Ohio) explored “The Interstellar Medium,” safely above the explosion generated when INov8 Winter Percussion (Ind.) detonated “Time Bomb.” Bakersfield College evoked Native American ceremony in “Primitiv.” Freedom Percussion (Mo.) survived harrowing captivity in “The Island.”

River City Rhythm (Minn.) found “One Way Out” in a

“WGI IS THE BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR. WE LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.” Red Wave Indoor (PIO)

Infinity 2 (PIO) INov8 Winter Percussion (PIO)

FAN FAV

Old Bridge HS (PSO)

Victor J. Andrew HS (PSO)

Sparkman HS (PSO)

Union HS (PSO)

FAN FAV

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CHINO HILLS HS

DARTMOUTH HS

AYALA HS

BURLESON CENTENNIAL HS

AVON HS

CENTER GROVE HS

JAMES LOGAN HS

PETAL HS

SAN MARINO HS

FISHERS HS

BOSWELL HS

NORWALK HS

PLYMOUTH CANTON HS

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP HS

UNION HS

VICTOR J ANDREW HS

CLEAR BROOK HS

PSO

EAST COAST PERCUSSION VEGAS VANGUARD

AUDIO THEATER

CROSSROADS PERCUSSION

FARMINGTON UNITED RED WAVE

RAILMEN

PIA

PEARL HS

MECHANICSBURG HS

MCGAVOCK HS

DORMAN HS

IRONDALE HS

PLAINFIELD HS

PSA

REVELATION

LEGACY OPEN

RIVER CITY RHYTHM

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RHYTHMIC FORCE

CIVITAS

BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE

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OUTSTANDING SEASON.

PARTICIPANTS ON ANOTHER

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suspense-filled adventure. Civitas Independent (S.C.) brought a twist to “Beauty in the Beast.” Rhythmic Force Percussion (Texas) earned olés for “Matador.” “Torn” by Legacy Performing Arts Percussion (Ind.) evoked separation from loved ones.

Revelation (N.C.) rung out “Loud and Clear.” Red Wave Indoor (Calif.) found a “Love Connection.” The Mid East provided the setting for “Be Careful What You Wish For…” by Audio Theater (Tenn.). Color-bending light illuminated the Finals with “Prizm”

by Breakthrough Indoor Percussion (Ariz.).

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC OPEN Clear Brook HS (Texas) found Gold “Set in Stone.” Old Bridge HS (N.J.) met an alien “Visitor” to take Silver and the Fan Favorite award. Victor J. Andrew HS asked us to “Breathe” and won Bronze. Director Alan Barone credited the music parents: “From driving trucks to preparing meals and everything in

between, they make it all work!”

“Cocoon” nurtured Sparkman HS (Ala.) to a fourth-place finish. Union HS (Okla.) went into battle with “Invictus: A War Within.” Lawrence Township (Ind.) built bridges in “Suspension.” Cy-Fair HS (Texas) breathed fire in “Order of the Dragon.” Plymouth Canton Community Schools (Mich.) put up big numbers in “Calculating Infinity.” Trumbull HS (Conn.) captured hearts with “Evol.” Timber Creek HS (Texas) set “Sail.”

South County (Va.) took on the challenge of post-prison life in “Solitary.” Arcadia HS (Calif.) turned “Crimson” in a blood-stirring performance. Norwalk HS (Conn.) made waves with “Two Drops in the Ocean,” Greenfield-Central HS (Ind.) set up surveillance in “Watching You,” and Boswell HS (Texas) was timely with “Before It’s Too Late.”

PERCUSSION INDEPENDENT A With “Into a Rose” IMPACT Percussion (Wash.) blossomed to win Gold in the group’s first ever trip Dayton. “This was our first year designing a show from scratch, this was our first year using props, and this was our first year going to World Champi-

Unity Percussion (PIA)

FAN FAV

FIU Indoor Percussion (PIA) Farmington United Percussion Ensemble(PIA) Railmen Indoor Percussion (PIA)

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onships,” says IMPACT’s John Peterson. “We said ‘game on’ at the beginning of the season and just went for it.”

Pinocchio’s fictional creator was the inspiration for the Silver-winning show, “Geppetto’s Workshop” by Unity Percussion (Fla). FIU Indoor Percussion (Fla.) put on a Bronze-winning masked ball in “Immortal Masquerade.”

Railmen Indoor Percussion (Neb.) performed with covers over their mouths in “Muted,” though the instruments were anything but. Farmington United Percussion Ensemble (Mich.) built their show in “The Factory of Obsolescence.”

Paradigm Percussion (N.C.) unwrapped “Plastic” to draw a huge crowd response. East Coast Percussion (N.J.) used Native American drums to deliver a powerful statement. In “Sane” members of Vegas Vanguard (Nev.) played part of the show with one arm bound. G2 (Mich.) dug for oil and found greed in “Crude.” Saints Percussion (S.C.) offered a meditation on universal themes in “Zen.” Time was on the side of Nomad Indoor (Penn.) in “Chronos,” while Crossroads Percussion Irondale HS (PSA)

(Iowa) took on climate change in “Weathered.” Lake Effect Percussion (Mich.) delved into the dark origin of children’s rhymes with “Ring Around the Rosie.” In “Letters to a Young Poet,” Shadow Indoor Percussion (Wis.) looked at the tortured inspiration of great literature. Huron Valley Percussion (Mich.) came to the Finals “Breaking the Silence” in a performance that began with muted tones before exploding into joy.

PERCUSSION SCHOLASTIC A With 65 groups battling for a place in the PSA Finals, just making the top 15 was a major accomplishment for 2018’s PSA groups. Plainfield HS (Ind.) rose to the top with “Fall,” a show inspired by autumn. “When It Ends” by Irondale HS (Minn.) took on the weighty subject of a life well led to earn Silver.

Irondale’s Paul Weber says, “it took considerable effort by the students to connect the show to their own personal experiences and then deliver their stories to the audience.”

Bronze went to Dorman HS (S.C.) for “And the Tree Was Happy.” “The unsung heroes are the parents that worked on our set,” says Dorman’s Victor Perez. “They made our canvas come to life!”

Dorman HS (PSA)

Clover HS (PSA)

FAN FAV Unionville HS (PSA)

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wgi.org

IN TIME YOU WILL KNOW

AYALA HIGH SCHOOL

To learn more about the KHS America Academic Alliance, visit www.AcademicAlliance.com.

DESIRE | DISCIPLINE | DEDICATION

UNIONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 4th Place A Class Scholastic

AVON HIGH SCHOOL

7th Place World Class Scholastic

TEMPLE CITY HIGH SCHOOL 9th Place A Class Scholastic

CAP CITY PERCUSSION

13th Place World Class Independent

To compete at WGI requires long practice hours, discipline, and unrivaled dedication. In addition to the percussionists themselves, it’s also the commitment of the parents and volunteers that makes participation at World Championships possible. Through the intensity of their performances, the devotion and desire of these ensembles was on clear display at WGI 2018.

TAMA Marching would like to congratulate all of the ensembles who placed, as well as FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL, HOMESTEAD HIGH SCHOOL, MODULATION Z, and OC INDOOR, who all competed impressively in their respective divisions. Thank you all for an amazing WGI 2018!

tamamarching.com

Unionville HS (Pa.) riffed on a famous nursery rhyme in “We All Fall Down.” Clover HS (S.C.) was sharp enough in “Beyond the Thorns” to be voted Fan Favorite. “Our biggest challenge this season was the use of our thorn props,” says Clover’s Anne Lewis. “Overall, once all the bugs were worked out, the performers handled themselves and the props like pros.”

Bellbrook HS (Ohio) proved that “Tubular” can be tuneful.

In “Let Me Go,” Sunlake HS (Fla.) explored the pain of breaking Ayala HS (PSCW)

up. Covered drums and instruments were unveiled in “Uncover You” by McGavock HS (Tenn.). Temple City HS (Calif.) was cooking with its tasty show, “Chef.” Mechanicsburg HS (Tenn.) used sound and rhythm to trace the “Evolution” of civilization.

Southern Regional HS (N.J.) showed that “Seasons Always Change” with “ lovely and evocative music rooted in the more tender side of a drum line that [rarely] gets exposed,” notes observer Michael Boo. Pearl HS (Miss.) explored the abstraction of memory in “Fade, while Central Dauphin HS (Pa.) submerged us in myth and history with “Atlantis.” Mansfield HS (Mass.) took “Flight” with soaring music and movement depicting air travel.

Muscle Shoals HS (PSCW)

Corona del Sol HS (PSCO)

Tunstall HS(PSCW)

Corinth Holders HS(PSCO)

Hickory HS (PSCO)

44 WGI WGI FOCUS 44 FOCUS

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Minooka Community HS (Ill.) shone to reach the Finals with “The Stars that Define Us.”

PERCUSSION CONCERT CLASSES In the Scholastic World Class, Fishers HS (Ind.) rose to the challenge of Grieg’s “Anitra’s Dance” to earn Gold for “Geometrick.” Ayala HS (Calif.) continued its medaling streak with the Silver-winning “Songs of the Child,” while Muscle Shoals HS (Ala.) brought home Bronze with “The Carmen Project.”

The top prize in PSCO went to Clayton HS (N.C.), who performed music by the jazz guitar great in “Metheny Mood.”

Runner-up Corona del Sol HS (Ariz.) brought the heat and Dakota Ridge HS (PSCO)

more with “Dante: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso.” “Embellished” earned Hickory HS (Va.) the Bronze. Dakota Ridge HS (Co.) went “Against the Grain” to earn the Fan Favorite award.

“Down the Line” by Decatur Central HS (Ind.) tied for PSCA Gold with “The Soldiers of Aquarius” by West Ranch HS (Calif.).

“The performers took the show personally,” says West Ranch’s Julio C. Diaz. “The students really sacrificed to be in the ensemble.” Bronze went to St. Genevieve HS (Calif.) for “Build.”

“These kids … worked to be able to pour their heart and soul into their final performance to share something really amazing with the world,” says St. Genevieve’s Christopher Truitt. “As an educator, that makes it all worth it.”

West Ranch HS (PSCA)

St. Genevieve HS(PSCA)

FAN FAV

East Lincoln HS (PSCA)

wgi.org

Salem HS (PSCA)

WGI FOCUS 45

THE WINDS PICK UP 44 groups competed in the biggest Winds contest yet.

by Emile Menasché The winds are winning—winning over skeptics, winning new fans, and—judging from the turnout at the 2018 WGI World Championships—winning more and more believers among indoor marching organizations and academic programs.

Forty-four groups competed at UD Arena on April 24—more than double the number taking part in the inaugural WGI Winds season of 2015. Just as important, the quality of the performances in all three classes made this year’s Winds showdown the best attended yet.

“The growth of the activity is pretty obvious,” says Chris Wing of Greenfield Central HS, which competes in the Winds Scholastic World class. “The crowd was awesome—the energy was a big step forward from past years. We’re chasing the guard and percussion divisions, but they are setting a great example for us to follow. I’m happy to see the Winds division is getting stronger and more entertaining!”

Even as more groups take part in Winds competition, they’re finding a common bond with their competitors. “An overwhelming sense of community surrounds WGI Winds,” says Nate Clark of Winds Scholastic A Bronze-medalist Daviess County HS. “This group of performers, teachers, and designers is extremely supportive of each other individually and from an ensemble standpoint and will only grow as a result of the positive atmosphere that completely saturates the WGI Winds community.”

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Rhythm X Winds (WIW) Flanagan HS (WSW)

FAN Fav Chromium Winds (WIO)

Azle HS (WSO)

Valley Christian Performing Indoor Ensemble (WIA)

Lake Hamilton HS (WSA)

FAN Fav

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Bronze medal. Father Ryan HS (Tenn.) painted with colorful sonic textures in “Spectrum.” Jackson County Comprehensive HS (Ga.) grabbed the spotlight “Before the Dark.” Plymouth HS (Ind.) mastered the myth of “Medusa” to earn fifth place.

WINDS INDEPENDENT WORLD

WINDS INDEPENDENT OPEN

Using some unconventional techniques, Rhythm X (Ohio) performed “With a Twist” to earn the Gold medal. “One doesn’t often see a line of tubas performing with mutes,” observes WGI correspondent Michael Boo. “But no musical detail was left unexplored in this show.”

In its WGI Winds debut, Crossmen (Texas) rode “Waves” to a Silver medal. Bronze went to STRYKE Wynds (Fla.) for the visually arresting “Cirque Electrique.” With “Aquatic,” FIU Indoor Winds (Fla.) broke with fashion by performing without a special floor—and ended up with a special Fan Favorite.

Chromium Winds (Ill.) had the crowd “Spellbound” and brought home the WIO Gold and the Open class Fan Favorite award. “Our 2018 production was centered around two characters: a Voodoo Priest and a real-life Voodoo Doll,” says Chromium director Andrew Zweibel. “The visual performers did a great job committing to the characters. The rest of the ensemble’s performance helped move the story along and keep the audience engaged—which I think was a significant factor in our success this year.”

With a relatively young lineup, Horizon Winds (Fla.) traveled to “The Other Side” and found a Silver medal waiting. “Our performers are mostly high school students and the work they put in was inspiring,” says Horizon’s Steve Cabrera. “We challenged them by [moving up] to Open Class towards the end of the season and they jumped at the opportunity. We threw in new drill, more visuals, and challenged them musically—and they kept asking for more.”

“Cloned” earned Point Winds Theater (Ga.) a Bronze medal. “Our show was based on the idea that, as long as you are trying to be like everyone else, you can never be the best version of yourself,” director Joshua Boyd explains. “The WGI World Championships was the perfect venue for our final performance because, at its core, WGI provides a voice to

WINDS SCHOLASTIC WORLD Flanagan HS (Fla.) earned Gold with “Innoventions,” displaying amazing musicianship that had the crowd on its feet. A close second, Greenfield Central HS (Ind.) perpetrated “The Heist,” though no one could accuse them of stealing their Silver medal. “We were blessed with a handful of really talented kids that fit the roles we needed them to—which included some acrobatics, dance, and a powerful brass line,” says director Chris Wing. “They don’t give up, and certainly rose to the challenge this year.”

“Beyond” portrayed the affect of weightlessness but had a heavy impact on the crowd and earned Cleveland HS (N.C.) a Crossmen (WIW)

STRYKE Wynds (WIW)

Greenfield Central HS (WSW)

FIU Indoor Winds (WIW)

FAN FAV Cleveland HS (WSW) 50

WGI FOCUS

WINDS INDEPENDENT A

performers who are seeking to be their very best every day.

WGI celebrates the uniqueness of each organization—and in doing so, inspires each performer to be the best version of him or herself.”

“American Dreams” came true for Kingsmen Indoor (Ga.) who earned a strong fourth place, while Warner University Indoor Winds (Fla.) did some serious swinging in its jazzy show, “Get Out of My Jungle.”

WINDS SCHOLASTIC OPEN Making its WGI Winds debut, Azle HS (Texas) rose to the head of the Open class with “The Barber.” “As it was our first season doing Winds, to go to Dayton and win a World Championship was an unbelievable experience!” says Azle director Branson Day. “The students bought into the show from day one and took off running with it.”

In “The Ride of Your Life,” Mill Creek HS (Ga.) pedaled to the medal—Silver that is. Edinburg North HS (Texas) made its performance count in the Bronze-winning “In-Phi-Nity.”

Meanwhile, Miamisburg HS (Ohio) earned high marks for entertainment with “This is My Dot,” Decatur Central HS (Ind.) mined the creative riches with “Fool’s Gold,” Forsyth Central HS (Ga.) raised everyone’s spirits with “Ups and Downs” and Elk River HS (Minn.) revealed plenty of talent in “Unmasqued.”

Horizon Winds (WIO)

Mill Creek HS (WSO)

The WIA Gold went to the California’s Valley Christian Performing Indoor Ensemble, with “Chrome X.” Inertia Independent Winds (Ohio) earned Silver with “Persona,” while LSM Winds (Mich.) took “The Next Step” to Bronze with an upbeat show.

Fleurish Winds (Wis.) found its wings in “The Year of the Butterfl y. In “Heroes,” Evidence from William Carey University (Miss.) offered a moving tribute to military veterans and their sacrifices. Despite the small size of the ensemble, In Motion Wind Performance Company (N.J.) shot for the moon and made a safe landing in “Lunacy.”

WINDS SCHOLASTIC A The lush textures of “City Trees” may have conjured images of nature, but Lake Hamilton HS (Ark.) director Jon Shultz says it was pure grit that earned his group both the WSA Gold and Fan Favorite award. “The students never gave up,” he says.

“Several kids got injured throughout our season. One tuba player had two ACL surgeries and broke his ankle—but pushed through. A clarinet player injured her right ankle during our fall season [and] the night before the finals run, she tore the ligament in her same ankle! This did not stop her. Finally, we had a bari sax player with strained ligaments in his shoulder— he never put his instrument down.”

Not far behind on the score sheet, Newnan HS (Ga.) delivered a focused performance on “Blurred Lines” to take home the Silver medal. Daviess County HS (Ky.) was musically colorful with “A Study in Pink” to snag the Bronze. “We started Edinburg North HS (WSO)

Inertia Independent Winds (WIA)

Point Winds Theater (WIO) 52

WGI FOCUS

GOLD

SILVER

Winds Arcadia HS (PSW) Independent World

Rhythm X Winds With a Twist

Crossmen Waves

STRYKE Wynds Cirque Electrique

Winds Scholastic World

Flanagan HS Innoventions

Greenfield Central HS The Heist

Cleveland HS Beyond

Winds Independent Open

Chromium Winds Spellbound

Horizon Winds The Other Side

Point Winds Theater Cloned

Winds Scholastic Open

Azle HS The Barber

Mill Creek HS The Ride of Your Life

Edinburg North HS In-Phi-nity

Winds Independent A

Valley Christian Performing Indoor Ensemble Chrome X

Inertia Independent Winds Persona

LSM Winds The Next Step

Winds Scholastic A

Lake Hamilton HS City Trees

Newnan HS Blurred Lines

Daviess County HS A Study in Pink

as a very young ensemble and had to push throughout the season to achieve the product we presented at WGI Finals,” says ensemble director Nate Clark. “Beyond achieving a great performance, I had the pleasure of watching every person associated with DCHS Winds grow as a member of our organization and as a person.”

There were outstanding performances outside the top 3 as well. Bellevue East HS (Neb.) explored the musical diversity of “City Streets” to finish fourth, just ahead of “Woods” by Pecos HS (Texas). Gulfport HS (Miss.) ended the season in good shape with “Circle in a Square.” Hollister HS (Mo.) marched “Into the Light.” John I. Leonard HS (Fla.)

BRONZE

TOP RANKING GROUPS FOR WINDS

delivered a gem of a show in “The Emerald Order.”

Rock Hill HS (S.C.) showed artistry with “The Gallery.”

Greenwood HS (Ark.) set a great atmosphere with “Once Upon a Blue Moon.” Kosciusko HS (Miss.) showed a strong identity in “I Am.” Hart County HS (Ky.) closed out the calendar with “The Seasons.” Marion L. Steele HS (Ohio) channeled ancient Egypt in “RA.” And winding up, Washington HS (Mo.) took no prisoners with “Tribal Effect,” Gaffney HS (S.C.) mashed up Stravinsky and Rorschach in “Tell Me What You See,” and Smith-Cotton HS (Mo.) gave a locked-in performance in “When a Door Closes.”

Newnan HS (WSA) Daviess County HS (WSA)

LMS Winds (WIA) WGI FOCUS 53

Scholarships 2018 Bravo to the WGI Scholarship winners of 2018! In color guard, Mickey McCool Memorial Scholarships went to ReneGarcia Hernandez, Devin Lutz, Alyssa Citero, and Megan Smith. Timothy Bradford, Nya Chang Alloy, and Adyn Register earned the Bob Wiles, Shirlee Whitcomb, and George Zingali Memorial Scholarships, respectively.

Guard awards also went to Selene Hess, Devon Cotter, Makennah Gvozdanovic, and Paulina Santos. Percussion winners were Marc Moreira, Yates McLaughlin, Jack Higham (Yamaha Music Education Scholarship), Colin Bradley (Yamaha/ Dennis DeLucia Scholarship), William Hnatuk (Zildjian/Mark Thurston Scholarship), and Sarah Dickey (FJM Memorial Scholarship). Winds scholarships went to Helen Porter and Tyler Hollingsworth (Lynn Lindstrom Memorial Scholarship).

Color Guard

percussion

Colin Bradley Orange County HS

Jack Higham Burleson Centennial HS

Timothy Bradford Fusion Winter Guard

ReneGarcia Hernandez Diamante

Nya Chang Alloy West Broward HS

Marc Moreira Nease HS

William Hnatuk Trumbull HS

Selene Hess Clemson Tiger Guard

Devin Lutz Juxtaposition

Alyssa Citero Fantasia

Yates McLaughlin Cavaliers Indoor

Sarah Dickey Music City Mystique

Devon Cotter Station Camp HS

Makennah Gvozdanovic Milford HS (OH)

Adyn Register Flanagan HS

Michael Rosales Eklipse

Paulina Santos Paris HS (TX)

Megan Smith Paramount

Winds

Tyler Hollingsworth Gulfport HS 54 wgi focus

Helen Porter Crossmen Winds

Want to give to the WGI Scholarship fund?

Go to facebook.com/WGIsportofthearts or mail your donations to WGI Scholarship Donation, 2405 Crosspointe Drive, Dayton, OH 45342. wgi.org