Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
There aren't any gladiators battling for survival or chariot races in the performances.
But after the Warsaw Community High School Percussion Ensemble performs, your heart is left pounding like a beating drum as if you'd been to Ancient Rome to see gladiators fight or chariots race at the coliseum.
This year's theme for the ensemble is "... Of Rome."
The percussionists are performing pieces by composer Resphighi including two sections of two movements from the piece "Pines of Rome" and another piece, "The Epiphany," from a piece from Resphighi called "Festivals of Rome."
"They're orchestral pieces I arranged for percussion," said WCHS head band director Mickey Ratliff. "So, to put it in layman's terms, there's a whole bunch of notes that are played real fast."
There are some softer and slower parts to the pieces as well, he said. He decided on the pieces because he was looking for music that was artistically challenging and the pieces fit that description. Plus, he said, it's not worthwhile for the students to play the music if it doesn't help them grow musically.
They began working on the music right after Christmas break, he said, and "they've been doing really well from the first rehearsal."
For those who may not know what a percussion ensemble is, it includes instruments in the percussion family such as the drums, xylophone, snare drums, tambourine and triangle. In the WCHS ensemble, synthesizers and a bass guitar also are included to fill out the sound and to give students not involved in percussion an opportunity to participate in the group.
"You get to make lots of noise and hit things," said Ross Weaver, WCHS senior and a three-year member who plays the snare drum in the ensemble, of what he likes about playing percussion.
Mike Cotton, senior and mallet kat player, said with percussion, he gets into his playing more than with other instruments. Cotton is also a three-year ensemble member.
Students in the ensemble are in ninth through 12th grade. Other than being in the school corporation's band program, the only prerequisite is that students must audition. A lot of students try out, but this year, only 20 are a part of the group.
The group in the ensemble is an elite group as far as abilities, said junior Chelsy Albertson, who plays the marimba and is a three-year member. They had to audition and be chosen by Ratliff. Cotton said that's helped to make them all friends, "closer than the full band."
Of the music itself, Albertson said, "I would definitely say it's a challenge because it's hard to learn all of it."
Cotton said he likes the music because while classical, it's got a "groove" and he can easily get into it.
Currently, the only performances for the ensemble are at competitions. Last Saturday, the percussionists competed at Chesterton High School. This Saturday, they will perform at Mt. Vernon High School at 9:52 p.m. Other dates for competition include: Avon High School, March 8; New Palestine High School, March 15; state finals, Decatur Central High School, March 22.
Albertson said she would like to "beat our main rivals" in competition this year as part of her goals. And, "if we won state, I'd like that."
Weaver said his goals include "improving in each performance," but if they won world, he'd be happy with that, too.
The ensemble competes in the World Class Division. The expectations of the class, said Ratliff, are the groups must play the most challenging pieces of music and play that challenging music "really, really well."
The biggest competition for the ensemble for the year will be at world finals April 11-12 in Dayton, Ohio. Ratliff said they will be competing against ensembles from all across the U.S. and possibly from other parts of the world.
"It's a pretty big event," Ratliff said. "I think the kids look forward to it every year."
Ratliff said at WCHS, the percussion ensemble has a long tradition of excellence.
"The only expectation I have is that we perform at a very high level and that every time we play, we play better than the last time. That includes in practice as well as in competition," said Ratliff.
There's no other way to get better than practice, practice and practice some more. Ratliff said the ensemble rehearses twice a week from 3 to 5:30 p.m. plus on Saturday before they go to a competition for two to four additional hours. And the students also practice on their own time and in class if possible.
Albertson said she hoped the audiences gets into the music when they hear the ensemble play. Weaver said he hopes the crowds enjoy the show while Cotton said he hopes that with the younger crowd, they will see it and make them interested in music.
In May, the ensemble will offer two local performances. On May 3, the Percussion Ensemble will perform with the Jazz Band at the Village at Winona. Drum Enchanted Evening will be May 8 at the Lakeview Middle School auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
"I think," said Albertson, "it takes a lot of experience to play the difficulty of music we're playing."
