Winter percussion places third in last competition

Competing in the Percussion Scholastic Open category of the Northern California Percussion Alliance (NCPA) championship, the winter percussion ensemble placed third behind Amador Valley and Live Oak high schools, the other schools in their division.

A total of 23 high schools and drumlines all over northern California participated in the championships finals at James Logan High School on April 5.

“[The] last performance was the best of the season,” junior bass drum player Alan Tran said. “I felt confident and excited to be performing for such a large crowd.”

The winter percussion ensemble, a group of percussionists who practice twice a week, performs in competitions throughout the winter season, culminating in the NCPA championships.

Sophomore bass drum player Matt Victoria said the ensemble has made huge progress this year, especially with an influx of beginners, increasing the number of members to 38, and the addition of a cymbal line.

“The new cymbal section was a handful to play with,” Victoria said. “They were all new to marching, yet some had some marching experience in drumline. We got a ton of freshmen and new members, [resulting roughly in a] 14:5 ratio of newbies to veterans, [including] veterans who switched instruments.”

According to Victoria, despite being a group that was relatively new to marching, let alone with percussion instruments, the ensemble learned to march and play better quickly.

“As a ensemble, we started with a fresh slate and throughout the season, we grew in skill and maturity,” Victoria said. “It was a huge growing period the entire season.”
Victoria, who will be entering his third season next year, will be a leader in the ensemble and hopes to win finals.

“My goal for next year is not to start over, but to build and progress from the fall season,” Victoria said. “And win [NCPA] finals.”

Tran, who joined this year, said that playing his part in the ensemble completely contrasted with his normal instruments. He plays alto saxophone in marching band and the bassoon in concert band.

“I didn’t think [the bass drum] would be so heavy, but I got used to it, which is a good thing,” Tran said. “It’s [a completely different process] learning how to play a solo part with five other people because you can’t rely on listening [to others to see where your part fits].”

Tran, after enjoying his first winter percussion season, is determined to participate in the next year.

“I think it’s really a fun and great experience. I’ll get to learn even more and hopefully meet new people,” Tran said. “It’s a very different experience and a lot of hard work, but performances are worth it.”