WCHS Winter Percussion
The West Clermont Winter Percussion competes in both the Mid East Performance Association (MEPA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) circuits.
West Clermont High School's Winter Percussion Earns Bronze Medal in 2023 World Championships
Article published in The Clermont Sun
West Clermont High School’s Winter Percussion finished their season by placing third in their class in the Winter Guard International (WGI) Percussion World Championships held in Dayton, Ohio, in mid-April. There were almost 500 percussion ensembles competing with WGI this year. These groups are classified into two levels: Independent and Scholastic. Within each classification, groups compete within three different divisions: A Class, Open Class, and World Class. WC Winter Percussion earned the bronze medal in the Percussion Scholastic Concert A (PSCA) Class.
In addition to performing at WGI, the ensemble also competed in the Mid East Performance Association (MEPA) circuit. In early April, the group placed first in their class and earned the title of 2023 MEPA Percussion Scholastic Concert A Champions.
This year’s show was titled “This Little Light” and featured musical elements from “This Little Light of Mine,” “Into the Light” by Jay Bocook, and “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. Under the direction of Ryan Reed, WC Director of Percussion, musicians played marimbas, vibraphones, a xylophone, bass and electric guitars, keyboards, and auxiliary percussion instruments and electronics. Light and darkness resonated through the music, and the contrast was further emphasized through the choreographed use of individual push lights and headlamps throughout the show.
All WCHS musicians were welcome to audition for Winter Percussion, and this year’s ensemble included twenty-two band members. Over the past five months, these students spent about 130 hours memorizing music and refining their show. This was the ensemble’s second appearance in WGI Percussion World Championships since Amelia and Glen Este High Schools merged to create West Clermont High School in 2017.
2023 Schedule
January 28 - MEPA Miamisburg
February 25 - MEPA Trent Arena (Kettering-Fairmount HS)
March 11 - MEPA Mason
March 18-19 - WGI Dayton Regional (Kettering-Fairmount HS)
April 1-2 - MEPA Championships (Northmont HS & Nutter Center)
April 20-21 - WGI Finals (UD Arena & Nutter Center)
Congratulations to the 2022 WCHS Winter Percussion!
Under the direction of Ryan Reed, this talented group of percussionists had the opportunity to perform their show "Guided by Fire" in both the Tri-State Marching Arts and Mid East Performance Association (MEPA) circuits before competing in the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships, which were held in Dayton, Ohio, in March. At Regionals, the ensemble placed fourth out of ten groups competing in Scholastic Concert A Class. Their score qualified them to appear in Finals for the first time in school history. They finished fourth out of five schools in their class. Go Wolves!
If you have any questions regarding Winter Percussion please contact Ryan Reed at rreedpercussion@gmail.com.