Musical groups prepare to compete

Indoor Color Guard and Indoor Percussion tell stories through musical performances

Exhilaration and dedication, those words describe two Unionville High School musical groups, the Indoor Color Guard and the Indoor Percussion, who are taking their art to the biggest stage. They will be competing in the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships in Dayton, Ohio over the next two weekends.

The units qualified for Winter Guard International following successful competitions this winter in the East region. In 2017, the percussion finished seventh overall and the Color Guard made it to the semi-finals. Over 600 Color Guards and 400 drum lines compete at the events, according to Cody Stafford, Director of the Indoor Percussion at Unionville.

Stafford said most but not all of the performers are in the high school band. The Color Guard has 14 members and the percussion has 37 students; 17 of the students are seniors. They employ props and tell a story in the four to sixminute performance.

“It is my favorite activity,” said Color Guard cocaptain Sarah Zrebiec. “You can’t imagine how much fun you get out there.”

“It’s just us 14, we’re a team working for hours,” said her co-captain, Kyle Lacey

Percussion captains Drew Hunt and Ryan Hastings agreed. Hunt said percussion is more demanding than the regular band, but he loves the opportunity to express himself through music and art.

“It’s really exciting to perform at the highest level, “said Hastings. “I just love

how emotional this is.”

The students from both groups practice three times a week for three hours per night and compete every weekend of the winter season. They also practice countless hours on their own each week. On a competition day, they will practice for another three or more hours before riding the bus to the competition venue for the show.

“It is amazing how students and alumni have helped to grow these groups at Unionville,” said Band Director Scott Litzenberg as he introduced the groups during a going away performance at the high school gymnasium Monday evening. “The Color Guard has been in existence for nine years and the drum line for six years.”

“It is not an inexpensive thing to,” said Litzenberg as he passed buckets through the audience for donations and thanked the band boosters for their help. “It’s a big undertaking with a truck and bus. We team up with Pennsauken (high school) to reduce cost.”

The groups begin designing their performances in November and perfect them throughout the school year. This year’s shows are “The Enchanted Forest” for the Color Guard and the “We All Fall Down” by the Indoor Percussion.

Stafford said the percussion show portrays the band members as leaves in a tree watching the lives of people play out below them.

“It’s been a ride, taking dance and flag performance and making it come to life,” said Color Guard director Jen Hilbish. “If something goes in the air and spins and they catch it, clap.”

And clap they did as the kids performed their hearts out.

Stafford said the Avon Grove Color Guard is also competing at Winter Guard International and Downingtown has competed in the past.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Unionville Indoor Percussion performs “We All Fall Down.” The five-minute show portrays the band members as leaves in a tree watching the lives of people play out below them.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Unionville Indoor Color Guard performs “The Enchanted Forest.” The group practices three times a week for three hours per night and compete every weekend of the winter season.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Unionville Indoor Color Guard performs “The Enchanted Forest.” Fourteen students, including three seniors, are on the team.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Unionville Indoor Percussion performs “We All Fall Down.” Thirteen of the 37 members are seniors.