Percussion Group Competes In Open Class This Year
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
This year, the Warsaw Community High School Winter Percussion Ensemble is moving from World Class to Open Class. World Class is an advanced level, and Open Class is intermediate. The other level is A for beginners.
WCHS Band Director Mickey Ratliff said he made the decision to move to Open Class this year because the program has graduated several seniors over the past few years and lost a lot of talent. He said it's not that the current ensemble doesn't have any talent, but they're a younger group. Most of the students in the ensemble have less than two years of experience. Twelve of the students are either freshmen or band members in their first year of winter percussion.[[In-content Ad]]Given that, Ratliff said, he thought it was time to step back and move the ensemble to Open Class. That will give the students the opportunity to learn and grow, and for the students to be taught a few things, he said.
"This gives them the opportunity to learn and develop at the level they are at now," said Ratliff. Eventually, he said, they probably will move back to the World Class.
Another reason it was decided the ensemble would move to Open Class, Ratliff said, is because he felt a little limited in the type of music he wanted to arrange or write for the group. The music for this year's show are songs Ratliff wanted to write and arrange for the group for awhile, he said.
The music for the percussion ensemble this year, he said, is based on jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. Two of Metheny's songs are used in the performance: "(Cross the) Heartland" and "Third Wind."
"I think it's cool because it's different than the normal stuff we play," said sole senior Nick Utter, 17. "I really like Pat Metheny's music so I'm really excited about that."
"It's challenging," said Todd Eastis, a 17-year-old junior. "This year we're not in World Class so it's not as technical as it has been, but it's still challenging. It's fun to play."
Utter said his goal for this year is to win state. "That would be really great," he said.
Eastis said, "I'd agree with that. It's been eight years since we won state."
"My goals are, always, that we perform at the highest level. Being in the Open Class doesn't change that," said Ratliff.
The class level refers to the type of music the ensemble is trying to play, not how well they play. Ratliff said the music in the Open Class may be simpler, with a shorter time limit, but the ensemble is still expected to play well.
Eastis and Utter both play the marimba. Asked who was better, Eastis said of Utter, "He's been playing four years. He's good."
"I learn my music as fast as I can. I make sure everyone puts their time in," Utter said of his leadership role.
The ensemble's first competition is Feb. 14 at Franklin Central. Other dates include Feb. 28 at Norwell; March 7, WCHS hosts its own invitational for the third straight year; March 14 is the state preliminaries at Avon; and state finals are March 21 at Ben Davis High School.
If anyone wants to see the WCHS Winter Percussion Ensemble perform, Ratliff said the March 7 home shown would be a great time. Along with Warsaw, there will be about 20 other ensembles performing throughout the day in the Tiger Den and Performing Arts Center.
This year, the Warsaw Community High School Winter Percussion Ensemble is moving from World Class to Open Class. World Class is an advanced level, and Open Class is intermediate. The other level is A for beginners.
WCHS Band Director Mickey Ratliff said he made the decision to move to Open Class this year because the program has graduated several seniors over the past few years and lost a lot of talent. He said it's not that the current ensemble doesn't have any talent, but they're a younger group. Most of the students in the ensemble have less than two years of experience. Twelve of the students are either freshmen or band members in their first year of winter percussion.[[In-content Ad]]Given that, Ratliff said, he thought it was time to step back and move the ensemble to Open Class. That will give the students the opportunity to learn and grow, and for the students to be taught a few things, he said.
"This gives them the opportunity to learn and develop at the level they are at now," said Ratliff. Eventually, he said, they probably will move back to the World Class.
Another reason it was decided the ensemble would move to Open Class, Ratliff said, is because he felt a little limited in the type of music he wanted to arrange or write for the group. The music for this year's show are songs Ratliff wanted to write and arrange for the group for awhile, he said.
The music for the percussion ensemble this year, he said, is based on jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. Two of Metheny's songs are used in the performance: "(Cross the) Heartland" and "Third Wind."
"I think it's cool because it's different than the normal stuff we play," said sole senior Nick Utter, 17. "I really like Pat Metheny's music so I'm really excited about that."
"It's challenging," said Todd Eastis, a 17-year-old junior. "This year we're not in World Class so it's not as technical as it has been, but it's still challenging. It's fun to play."
Utter said his goal for this year is to win state. "That would be really great," he said.
Eastis said, "I'd agree with that. It's been eight years since we won state."
"My goals are, always, that we perform at the highest level. Being in the Open Class doesn't change that," said Ratliff.
The class level refers to the type of music the ensemble is trying to play, not how well they play. Ratliff said the music in the Open Class may be simpler, with a shorter time limit, but the ensemble is still expected to play well.
Eastis and Utter both play the marimba. Asked who was better, Eastis said of Utter, "He's been playing four years. He's good."
"I learn my music as fast as I can. I make sure everyone puts their time in," Utter said of his leadership role.
The ensemble's first competition is Feb. 14 at Franklin Central. Other dates include Feb. 28 at Norwell; March 7, WCHS hosts its own invitational for the third straight year; March 14 is the state preliminaries at Avon; and state finals are March 21 at Ben Davis High School.
If anyone wants to see the WCHS Winter Percussion Ensemble perform, Ratliff said the March 7 home shown would be a great time. Along with Warsaw, there will be about 20 other ensembles performing throughout the day in the Tiger Den and Performing Arts Center.
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