Percussion Squad Wins All Chapters Championship

In the percussion ensemble’s first successful season, they managed to reach the top after winning many of their prior competitions. The amazing performance that won the percussion ensemble their title was the story of a mad scientist, John Ginther, with a compilation of music from the movie Beetlejuice. As he develops a potion that will enable his fellow drummers to play well, the plot and music unfold in pieces. In the end, however, everyone plays together, and well, in celebration of John’s working creation.

Usually, the percussion ensemble’s regular season includes between eight and twelve competitions to determine who is the best of each division, and then the real competition comes. “This event was like the Superbowl for bands,” explained 11th grader John Ginther. In other words, the TIA Championships are the battle for the best of the best.

Under the design of Mr. K and Rob Pacitti, Norristown’s guard also did extremely well as usual. For more than ten years now our guard has attended the indoor championships in Wildwood and has performed remarkably well. This year was no exception.

“The Storm at Sunrise,” the name of the guard’s awe-inspiring choreography was done to an upbeat contemporary form of classical music. After eleven prior competitions this past season, the performance in Wildwood to Vanessa Mae’s melodies went through the roof and put Norristown’s thirteen guard members in a respectable 6th place. For months, the guard and percussion ensemble held intense practices to prepare themselves for the event. “It’s like a sport. You have to be dedicated and work hard, but for indoor, there is no bench,” explained senior guard member Maribeth Owen. In order to do well, “everyone has to work together, there is no other option,” junior Rebecca Savage emphasized as she told me the success story.

“We deserved to win,” Calvin Morton said and win they did. Mr. K, this year’s new band director seemed impressed with their placement especially seeing as the band was, “coming out of a difficult era.” His ambition was to successfully complete their first season and yet they walked away with so much more.

Not only did Norristown receive the honor of their high ranks, but they also enjoyed the rewarding experience they got in return for their hard work. Everyone I spoke to said that they had ‘so much FUN!’

Calvin Morton continued by explaining how “indoor percussion ensemble and guard offer great experiences to play fun music, bond with friends from your school, and meet new friends from other schools.” Wildwood definitely embodied all of this. As this chapter ends, they all are enthused about preparing for the upcoming 2003 outdoor competitions.