About FUPE
History
The Farmington United Percussion Ensemble (FUPE) has provided educational and musical performance opportunities to students in the greater Detroit, MI area for over a decade. Founded in the fall of 2004, FUPE was originally restricted to students of the Farmington Public School District. Over the years, FUPE has expanded to include up to three marching percussion ensembles and one colorguard ensemble a single season that allow membership to any student in the greater Detroit area (whose school does not have an active indoor percussion program). FUPE caters to the beginner to intermediate student looking to strengthen their skills in the marching arts.
FUPE has enjoyed great competitive success over the years thanks to the outstanding students, qualified staff, and dedicated volunteers. The Independent A ensemble has been a consistent Michigan Color Guard Circuit (MCGC) State champion over the past decade in addition to receiving two silver medals (2017 and 2009) and a bronze medal (2008) at Winter Guard International (WGI) World Finals. In addition, many of our student have gone on to perform in world class competitive and university ensembles and / or become professional music performers and educators themselves!
Our Ensembles
FUPE generally fields two percussion and one colorguard ensembles each year. The number of groups may vary year to year.
Percussion Independent A
Our Independent A ensemble competes in MCGC and WGI Independent A Class. FUPE Independent A is open to all eligible students who are at least in high school and younger than 23 years of age. Students in this ensemble must be high school or college age to participate. This ensemble competes in various WGI and MCGC competitions leading up to MCGC State Finals in Saginaw, MI and concluding their season at WGI World Finals in Dayton, OH. Membership in this ensemble is determined each fall through an in person audition process as outlined on our Join page.
Percussion Regional A
Our Regional A group competes in MCGC Regional A Class. FUPE Regional A provides experience for students new to the WGI activity and is meant for middle school students or younger. This ensemble competes in various WGI and MCGC competitions in South East Michigan and concludes their season each year by performing at MCGC State Finals in Saginaw, MI. Membership in this ensemble is determined during the audition process for the Independent A group. Many of our Regional A performs go on to march our Independent A group later in their performance career.
Our Sponsors
FUPE is made in part possible by our sponsors: Yamaha, Vic Firth, Zildjian, TreeWorks, and Farmington Public Schools.
