Winter Percussion Ensemble
Hillcrest is proud to present a Winter Percussion program for the Middle School Level. We participate in the Musical Arts Conference. This ensemble is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade percussionists and other interested students. It will begin in the late Fall, and continue until the first week in April. Our rehearsals beginning in January will take place in the evenings from 6-8 pm, usually twice a week. Saturdays will also begin having rehearsals as well, especially when we have a show day. We normally participate in 3-5 shows each season. Our shows take place in High School gymnasiums in the Fairfield County area.
A Little History . . . .
Our initial venture in 2017 proved to be very successful. 19 students formed the ensemble, both marching and front ensemble. "Checkmate" was a show that earned 3 first place trophies in the Marching Novice division of the Musical Arts conference. Here is a video of our performance that year;
https://youtu.be/kysvJafPQ_Y?list=PLvKV-MzR_vlFqo_0Yp1dxzZKSrnwRI39n
The 2018 show was more of a Classical music presentation, and featured the music of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven! The show was called "Hooked on Classics". We also won four 1st place trophies this season.
Our Video we made for the Vinny Pezzella Fundraiser performance - https://youtu.be/Po9hWeTsALM
J Law Show Video - (High View) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGpcBi8eqLc
(Lower view) - https://www.dropbox.com/s/jqutxr3kix29cin/Video%20Mar%2031%2C%203%2011%2033%20PM.mov?dl=0
Trumbull High Show - (Last show of the season)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xxlxkrqzjseh224/Video%20Apr%2007%2C%202%2042%2031%20PM.mov?dl=0
The 2019 Hillcrest Winter Percussion Show was "The Old Ballgame" This show was based upon the perennial favorite "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". It is also filled with typical ball game cheers. In the middle section we go back in time in a minor key to explore the 1919 Chicago Black Sox and the famous scandal of the World Series. The show picks back up with the familiar "William Tell Overture" before returning to the "Take Me Out" theme to end the show. This was our first venture into the "Stand-Still" Performance Category. There is no marching involved in this presentation, although there are some visual moments.
Video of our Performance at MAC Percussion Championships at West Hill High School in Stamford, 4/6/19:
https://home.mycloud.com/action/share/0b6d5b27-7640-4a26-af25-e5809e8ae842
We earned three Silver trophies this season, proudly competing against a high school level program also in the novice category. We also performed in our first ever Musical Arts Conference Championship Show!
Our Winter Percussion 2020 Presentation
"That's All Folks!"
This show theme revolves around the music of Saturday Morning Cartoons, specifically Looney Tunes and the music of some iconic Bugs Bunny episodes.
Here is a mp3 of the music to listen to;
http://www.martianmusic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Toons.mp3
Here's a video of our 3/7 Season Premier Performance at Trumbull High School:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg3LwV0i7UI&t=1s
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, our season was over before it really even got off the ground. Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put together such a fun show!