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