WGI 2009 Review

During the weekend of April 17th…hundreds upon hundreds of performers, instructors, and fans descended upon Dayton Ohio for the 2009 Winter Guard International (WGI) percussion finals. The week was certainly not short on great performances or pleasant surprises. Below are reviews of top finishing World Class ensembles that chose Evans Drum Heads.

Percussion Independent World (PIW)

Demanding (and receiving) due respects as a serious contended in the PIW class, Pulse Percussion (CA) (4th- 93.513) delivered an attention grabbing show and in the process earned their highest PIW finish yet. The line displayed amazing control of their sound, expertly melding aggression with a keen sense of musical balance and a very artist approach to sampling and amplification usage.

What PULSE is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MX1 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Redline Percussion (MI) (5th- 92.45) created one of the most innovative visual packages the activity has seen with “Sculpted.” While the battery was imposing enough as moving rock golems, what set this unit apart were 16 dancers with mobile pedestals who achieved true-to-life statuesque poses, giving the production an elegant, artistic quality. The program ended with the drummers intermingled with the dancers in a group sculpture of an army of warriors captured forever in stone. See Redline's Parking Lot Video HERE

What REDLINE is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, Hybrid Bottom
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MX1 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Making the most from a simple concept, North Coast Academy (MI) (7th- 91.413) performed “Echo.” Members played echoes of short patterns using advanced dynamic shading. Visual reverberations were provided with individuals behind transparent screens, giving a ghost-image effect. One feature that had the spectators shouting for more was a stunning cymbal feature which had the players performing intricate rhythms and tossing the plates across the floor at each other.

What NORTH COAST is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, Hybrid Bottoms
Tenor - G2 Coated
Bass - MX2 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Gateway Percussion (MO) 8th- 90.35) showed us that machines can groove too with “Robot Rock.” The kids in the line did a great job of characterization, with stiff-legged movements like mechanical automatons would make. After numerous sections of computer program-like execution, the group settled into a smoking hot version of Styx’ “Mr. Roboto” to close the program, with fast mallet ostinatos that were so quick one was fearful of the bars igniting. See Gateway's Lot Video HERE.

What GATEWAY us using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, Hybrid Bottoms
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MS1 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Percussion Scholastic World (PSW)

Mission Viejo (CA) (5th- 92.725) paid homage to departed heroes and important events in our lives with “Remember.” The opener honored the memory of the Blue Angels, with members appearing out of place in the drill in their own ‘missing man’ formation. The program’s second half turned introspective as the unit performed music from their 1999 “From Time to Time” show in a tribute to the 10th anniversary of their first WGI appearance. See Mission's Lot Video HERE.

What MISSION VIEJO is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MX1 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

One of the newest members of the Evans family, Arcadia (CA) (6th- 92.30) portrayed the struggle for independence every young person experiences with “Missing You.” After strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” were heard in the pre-show, the unit explored the feelings of separation as one goes to college. The reluctance of parents to let go were explored, as well as the inevitable turmoil that occurs when being away from a girlfriend or boyfriend. See Arcadia's Lot Video HERE.

What ARCADIA is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, Hybrid Bottom
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MX2 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

America is as a melting pot of people of all nations. James Logan (CA) (7th- 92.10) illustrated this as perfectly as could be done with “Amber Waves.” The members told stories describing their ethnic heritage, with a commonality being their parents coming to this nation for a better life. “Appalachian Spring” held the fabric of the show together, connecting disparate music of Latin American, Asian, and European cultures.

What JAMES LOGAN is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - MX Black
Bass - MX2White
Cables - Various Planet Waves


With “In the Heart of a Warrior,” Forsyth Central (GA) (9th- 90.675) examined the character traits that make for a successful combatant in the arena of life. Courage, loyalty, strength, and patriotism were portrayed with music arrangements that added dramatic flair to the qualities being depicted, with the program ending as the line let forth with a loud battle cry.

What FORSYTH CENTRAL is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, Hybrid Bottom
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MS2 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Avon (IN) (10th- 90.313) honored the finest achievements of humanity with “My Masterpiece.” The group gave a musical and visual tribute to the best of the best in mathematics (Einstein), art (Da Vinci), theater (Shakespeare), and music (Beethoven), along with the original creative genius of God when one of their backdrops revealed the natural beauty of a rose.

What AVON is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - MX Frost
Bass - MS2 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Upland (CA) (11th- 88.50) told the tale of a kidnapping and rescue of a loved one with “Loss and Recovery.” Reminiscent of the recent motion picture “Taken,” the program opened with a telephone message from criminals advising of the kidnapping. After a dramatic musical adventure of thrills and chills, the victim was found safe by her rescuer.

What UPLAND is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MX1 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Plymouth-Canton (MI) (13th- 86.375) showed how music and words communicate emotions with “In Any Language.” The group used sight and sound to convey the concept, as their tarp had written words of different languages, and narration in foreign tongues (in appropriate musical styles) was utilized.

What PLYMOUTH-CANTON is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - Corps Clear
Bass - MS2 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Choctawhatchee (FL) (14th- 84.70) demonstrated the destructive power of words with “Shattered.” As “you’re an embarrassment” and “you’re worthless” boomed from speakers, sounds of a youth’s self-esteem shattering like glass were heard. The group eventually found the courage to stand up and not succumb to the cruel words of others.

What CHOCTAWHATCHEE is using…
Snare - Hybrid Gray, MX5
Tenor - MX BLACK
Bass - MX2 White
Cables - Various Planet Waves

Visit http://www.tothestage.com/ for weekly updates on MORE footage from the WGI Lot!