Show-Me Sound F.O.C.U.S. DRUMLINE Takes 1st in General Effect
There are 3 elements of performance that an ensemble is judged on in a Winter Guard International (WGI) Percussion Competition. Those elements, (defined in layman’s terms), are: Performance Analysis - the assessment of technical skills, Visual - the movement, marching or choreographed, and its relationship to your music and General Effect - How well the show is designed and how well the performers bring that show to life. General Effect has 2 sub captions: music and overall. On Saturday, March 28, the children of the Show-Me Sound F.O.C.U.S. DRUMLINE were awarded 1st place in General Effect in the WGI Temecula, California Regional Finals with an 87 in Music GE and a 91 in Overall GE. The ensemble finished second in the Independent A class.
The F.O.C.U.S. (For Our Children’s Unfettered Success) DRUMLINE is comprised of youth from middle and high schools across St. Louis City and County. The average age of Show-Me Sound performers is 14.561 years old (rounded up – 15). The average age of their competitors is 18.7 (rounded up to 19) years old. The F.O.C.U.S. DRUMLINE rehearses its performers for 4 hours each Saturday. On average, the competitors rehearse for 22 hours every weekend. Only one of the members of the Show-Me Sound line had ever participated in an indoor marching percussion competition before. The other 14 performers were experiencing the arena for their very first time. Other ensembles are marching a number of youth with years of experience in WGI performance.
The competitive show performed by the Show-Me Sound ensemble is entitled “Symphonic/Hip/Hop/Soul/Jazz/Country: An American Celebration.” The production weaves together the many fibers of American music into an exciting and highly entertaining drum and dance extravaganza. Songs performed in the 5 minute show included: “Minor Melodic Madness,” composed by Terry Artis, “Billy Jean,” recorded by Michael Jackson, “I’ll Be There,” recorded by the Jackson 5, “I Want You Back,” recorded by the Jackson 5 and “New Country,” composed by Jean Luc Ponty. All of the songs are arranged for performance by the DRUMLINE by Executive Director, Terry Artis.
The creativity and uniqueness of the DRUMLINE’s approach to the WGI marching percussive musical art form is what was most noted and appreciated by all 6 of the ensemble adjudicators who are all nationally recognized for their contributions in percussive arts. It was likely those same facets that captured and won over the audience in Temecula, CA who gave the F.O.C.U.S. DRUMLINE the only standing ovations received during the 2 day competition.
The Show-Me Sound F.O.C.U.S. DRUMLINE was established in May of 2007 as a program to introduce middle school youth from St. Louis City & County to college level percussive skills through a gradual and fundamentally based methodology. It is clear that the focus is in the right direction and the F.O.C.U.S. DRUMLINE youth are headed towards wonderful opportunities through this program.
Below: The DRUMLINE at dress rehearsal
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