Diamond Bar High School’s percussion groups took home first and third place medals from the Southern California Percussion Alliance finals championship competition on April 13 at California State University, San Bernardino.
The Concert Percussion group, also known as Academy, performed its show Star Crossed Lovers, and received the highest score out of the 12 high schools that competed in the Percussion Scholastic Concert Open group. Directed by the DBHS percussion instructors Gabriel Cobas and Marie Sato, Academy members received gold medals in the finals competition and went to Dayton, Ohio to compete in the Winter Guard International Indoor Percussion’s national level.
Academy flew to Dayton on April 18 and came back after placing on April 21. Academy placed second and received an overall score of 92.1, which was only .25 points away from winning the gold medal.
“The 2013 season was truly unforgettable. I’m so happy that we won, and I’m glad that all of our hard work paid off,” sophomore vibraphone player Christie Hui commented.
Academy’s show, Star Crossed Lovers, performed a seven-minute performance depicting the whole story of the ongoing feud between the Capulet and Montague families. The four movements of the music piece represented Romeo and Juliet’s love life and the relationship between the two families in various melodies.
“I feel honored to be part of the first group of students to ever represent DBHS at WGI, and I can’t wait to see the growing success of DBHS’ percussion program,” senior Benji Pun, a timpani player, commented.
DBHS’ indoor drumline also competed against 43 other ensembles in the Scholastic A division in the SCPA finals competition and won third place. Drumline’s five-minute show was about Japanese samurais fighting in war. While performing their show, drummers also had to move on specially designed floors that served as visuals corresponding with the music. Drumline received an overall score of 90.75, only a point away from getting first place.
“I was really happy when I heard that we won third place. I was glad that the seniors got to end their high school careers with a medal, since Diamond Bar has never gotten one before,” sophomore tenor player, Daniel Shin stated.