Students know and love Westmont’s lively Marching Band. As an integral part of football games’ spirit, the student musicians never fail to excite the crowd or celebrate a touchdown. What many members of the Westmont community do not know is that the extraordinary sounds of drums and xylophones continue through the winter months. From January to April, percussion players rehearse and perform at various competitions throughout the Bay Area.
This year, their performance is titled Boo! In the Hall of the Mountain King, which they perform at around five competitions during the season. Eerie, the suspenseful piece evokes a sense of fear in its audience. With dramatic makeup, the band members’ costumes match the mysterious nature of the show.
“To get into character, the inspiration was trolls and a spooky theme,” explains Winter Percussion member Celena Pirkl, “We tried our best to look scary.”
Furthermore, in early March, the band received a fourth place award during a contest at Fremont High School; less than two points differentiated first and fourth place. Two weeks later, they earned second place at another competition, as well as second place in their championships at Independence High School just before spring break.
In addition to their competitions, the musicians performed in a local showcase. Gathering with other percussion groups from San Jose State, Del Mar, Ida Price, and Branham, Westmont presented Boo! In the Hall of the Mountain King to a full gym of mesmerized audience members.
“Every practice, we all have fun together, and it’s more than just playing our instruments but enjoying them,” Pirkl adds, “We’re all friends and it’s like we all get to hang out together.”
With a supportive community and skilled players, Westmont Winter Percussion has a lot to offer. Congratulations on an excellent season!