Focus On: Sean Vega
Mar 3, 2009
Sean Vega was born in Banbury, England in 1976, but was raised in Riverside, CA. Attending John W. North High School Sean started off playing the Trombone, but quickly realized it wasn’t for him and became a drummer the following year. As a member of the drumline he was taught by the original dynamic duo, Mike Jackson and Jim Wunderlich. In 1994 Sean became a member of the Concord Blue Devils, and in 1998 a member of the Blue Devil percussion staff. The next 13 years he spent splitting his time between living in Northern and Southern California. In those 13 years, he says, “I have had the great honor of working with learning from of some of the most talented educators and designers in the world from groups such as the Blue Devils, Riverside City College, the Freelancers, and the Soka Renaissance Vanguard. I now live with my beautiful fiance in Pasadena, CA.”
WGI recently had the opportunity to speak with this percussion aficionado to learn about his experiences and accomplishments in the WGI percussion activity.
How did you first become interested in percussion?
In 1982, my parents unintentionally discovered the world of pageantry by way of the PBS broadcast of the DCI World Championships. After calling the information hotline, they found out that there was a show hosted in our own town. The next year we attended our local show and my parents fell in love with the Concord Blue Devils. Since that notorious day, my family has seen every show in Riverside and on a few occasions, DCI Finals.
What were some of your first experiences being involved in percussion?
I started playing Quads my sophomore year in high school. Our marching band program was one of the best in CA at the time. We also had a winter drumline, but in those days it was performed on a football field. The performances were standstill, and we wore our band uniforms, shakos included. The activity has come a long way since then.
When was the first WGI World Championships you saw?
The first WGI World Championship I attended was in 1996. Outside of a few schools, the indoor percussion movement had not really hit California yet, and I actually went out to see friends and support the Blue Devil Winter Guard. Not really knowing what to expect, I made it a point to attend the Percussion event. That's when I saw Music City Mystique for the first time. I was speechless. The drill, the notes, the intensity. It was a first time moment I will never forget.
What is your fondest memory as a performer?
Considering I never performed in WGI, I would say my fondest memory of performing would be both my first and last DCI World Championship performances with the Blue Devils. Both of these groups were very special and so were the performances. As any performer in this activity will tell you, the indescribable energy that is exchanged during these events is overwhelming.
Where do you teach currently, and what are some highlights of your teaching career?
I am currently the Program Coordinator and Battery Arranger for Riverside City College, a member of the Concord Blue Devils percussion staff, and the Music Director of the Sea World San Diego stage production, Riptide.
I started working with RCC in 2001 under the guidance of Scott Johnson. He had a vision of creating a program that would compete in the Independent World Class at WGI, as well as provide a training ground for young drummers who would eventually audition for the Blue Devils. After a full season of learning how to operate in the activity, we made our debut at the WGI World Championships in 2002, where we took 1st in the IW class. Scott stepped down after the 2003 season to continue his career as a judge/golfer, and I inherited the position of program coordinator. Since that time we have gone on to win the IW class in 2005 and 2007, and we have only placed out of the top two once. I am very proud of the group that I have been apart of since it's inception, and I'm looking forward to the years to come.
How long have you been involved with the Percussion Advisory Board?
I'm currently a member of the Percussion Advisory Board, and have been so for the last 5 years. I am very proud of sitting on this board along side those that are responsible for the inception and growth of this wonderful activity.
There are two reasons why I attend the annual advisory board meeting. First, I would like to think that representing your group and making sure everyone's voice is heard is an important part of the growth and development of WGI. The second reason is purely selfish. Sitting in a room with the likes of Mark Thurston, Don Click, Dave Marvin, Tim Fairbanks, and Shane Gwaltny, to name a few, is a very humbling and educational experience. It is one of my favorite weekends of the year.
What life skills are learned through winter marching arts activities?
Confidence. The guidance and experience they receive allows them to really discover who they are and what they can do. I've had a lot of students enter RCC's program as children and leave as confident young adults.
What outside motivation inspires you as a designer?
Inspiration for creativity can come from anything. Some of my favorite moments within shows I've designed have been based on personal moments in my life, as well as favorite movies, books, and poems. To give an example, RCC's 2007 production was based on first time memories. The inspiration for this show came to me while on a teaching trip to Japan. I was in my hotel room watching the move "The Outsiders" (in Japanese), and the concept of "staying gold" in the movie hit me in a unique way. Later that night I expressed to the drumline that drumming should be fun. I asked them if they remembered playing drums for the first time, and all of them smiled. The rest of that day they played with such enthusiasm. It was amazing! That moment was the seed that eventually became RCC's show that year.
Where do you see the activity going in the next couple of years, or further in the future?
I think that WGI will continue to grow on multiple levels. The number of groups in local circuits is growing. Therefore, the interest level in attending WGI Finals is growing. We are also seeing a growth in Europe and Asia. I hope that we will see these groups come to WGI in the near future. The talent level in all classes is growing, and this is spilling over into the world of drum corps. However, the most exciting of all aspects of WGI's growth is in creativity. Year after year, the level of design and performance has increased dramatically. New groups that are taught by fresh designers are proving that there is so much more we can do with these shows. The future looks very bright for WGI.
What are some of your favorites shows?
Star of Indiana 1993
Blue Devils Winterguard 1995
Music City Mystique 1996
Franklin Central 1999
Northglenn 1999
Mission Viejo 2001
Blue Knights 2003
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