Liberty Percussion competed at the Winter Guard International West Power Regional last weekend at Los Osos High School and had their best performance of the season, earning their highest recent score at a WGI Event with an 84.613 and placing 6th out of 13 groups in Open Class.
Liberty Percussion is a performance ensemble of 36 students playing marching battery percussion instruments -- snares, tenors, bass drums, cymbals -- as well as concert percussion instruments marimbas, vibraphones, xylophone, and glockenspiel. They performed a five-minute show in front of judges from Winter Guard International. WGI is a national circuit that sponsors regional championships around the country throughout the year that culminates in a world championship show in Dayton, Ohio.
The regional event in Los Osos is the biggest competition of the year for area students besides world championships. There were 18 independent groups and 38 scholastic groups attending last weekend.
Liberty Percussion rehearses 10 hours a week outside of school. Passersby can hear the students practicing every morning before school outside the band classroom. Their show this year is called Distorted and features John Legend’s “All of Me.” The percussionists also performed their show last week at Freshman Orientation in the gym.
Band director Jason Armistead said, “Liberty Percussion is one of the hardest working groups on campus. They commit to practicing and rehearsing hours upon hours to reach their highest potential each time they step on the floor to perform. It really paid off this past weekend when they scored our highest score at a WGI event in a very long time with an 84.613.”
“I could not be prouder of Liberty Percussion,” Mr. Armistead said. “Our staff has designed an amazing show that our students are performing at a very high level. The ensemble has met all of their goals so far this year and it's been amazing to watch them grow.”
Mr. Armistead also offered his appreciation for the band Booster Club and Liberty administration for making the regional trip possible and helping LHS students have a great experience at WGI. “We had over 30 parents there with us helping push equipment, feed the students meals, loading equipment, and cheering us on in the stands,” he said.