MA Youth Percussion Ensemble Takes Bronze at WGI Sport of the Arts 2013 Championships

Spirit of America Winter Percussion Ensemble won the Bronze Medal in their division in the WinterGuard (WGI) Sport of the Arts 2013 Percussion World Championships in Dayton, OH, with a score of 92.863. They also captured a 2013 "Fan Favorite" Award. Competing against 29 teams from across the United States, this group of 22 young people (ages 10-22) proudly marched for the people of Boston as they poured their hearts into the show Perpetual Cycles, demonstrating the resiliency of life and hope in the face of death and loss.

In the wake of this week's tragic events in Boston, and on the day of the 18th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, this powerful theme struck a chord with the judges and fans of the 36-year-old organization known as WinterGuard International, dedicated to fostering creativity and life skills in young people. Wearing yellow (the color of joy and hope), the Spirit ensemble also wore symbolic ribbons honoring the courageous spirit of the people of Boston.

About the Show - Inspired by music of Latin America, the show Perpetual Cycles features arrangements of Joseph Curiale's Adelina De Maya, Alberto Ginastera's Lamentations of Jeremiah, and Pat Metheny's Third Wind, and uses traditional Brazilian instruments such as repiniques and tamborims. The ensemble executes a series of complex marching drill formations while playing precise and explosively energetic music. To read more, visit www.spiritofamericaband.org.

Spirit of America Winter Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Richard K. Pugsley (Director) and Ian Hale (Ensemble Director), includes members of Spirit of America Band from ages 10 to 22. Winter Percussion is at the heart of Spirit of America's passion for youth music education. In addition to giving young people the rudiments of music and marching, the experience of Winter Percussion offers them an education in life, by instilling values of teamwork, empathy, and respect for others.

WGI Sport of the Arts, a non-profit youth organization, provides a venue for young people to achieve the extraordinary through performance and competition. It is the world's premier organization producing indoor color guard and percussion ensemble competitions. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. Now entering its 36th year, the sport continues to evolve and grow. There were more than 36,000 participants at the regional level, and more than 11,000 participants at the Sport of the Arts World Championships this past April. (www.wgi.org).