Featured Story
Focus On: Arcadia HS
Feb 19, 2009
The Arcadia High School Percussion Ensemble has been involved with WGI since the spring of 2000. The group originated in the PSA division and competed in the WGI Southern California regional and the Las Vegas regional that first year. The students found that they really loved the activity, and Arcadia HS has been committed to the WGI experience since then. The group was promoted to PSO in their second year, and had the honor of reaching World Championship Finalist status in PSO in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 seasons. In 2004, the ensemble was promoted to PSW and has been a World Championship Finalist from 2004-2008. Along the way, the program has grown significantly and now includes feeder ensembles in the PSA and PSO divisions. These groups have participated in the Las Vegas and Phoenix regionals in the past and have benefited from these great events and the great feedback from talented WGI adjudicators.
The Arcadia 2009 PSW show is titled “Missing You”. The show explores students who reach a point in their lives where they find themselves leaving home- whether to attend college or to pursue other personal goals. This topic has a very personal connection with the students in this year’s ensemble, as many will be graduating and leaving home within the next few months. Music is drawn from Alanis Morissette – Torch and Versions of Violence, as well as Invisible Ink by Temposhark. Musical arrangements are by Tony Nunez and Kevin Shah. The show provides many exciting moments that draw on the energy of the performers and showcases the emotions of a young person stepping out into the world and experiencing new adventures.
The 2009 Arcadia PSW staff consists of Tony Nunez, Kevin Shah, Jeff Doolittle, Daniel Lai, Chris Boatman and Kevin Sherrill. The ensemble will be performing at the WGI Corona Regional, the WGI Temecula Regional, and the 2009 WGI World Championships.
Arcadia Percussion receives tremendous support from many groups. The Arcadia High School administration, faculty, and staff provide unending support. The Arcadia Music Club booster organization is instrumental in providing support in numerous ways. Arcadia PSW is also fortunate to receive the generous support from Vic Firth and Yamaha who help make sure the equipment our students perform on is top notch. Finally, Arcadia HS is a proud member of the Southern California Percussion Alliance, and is appreciative of this outstanding percussion circuit and the WGI type experience it provides at the local level.
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