Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble Achieves Their Goal of Semifinals

Rising from their own “ashes,” Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble makes semifinals for the first time since 2015.

Author: Julianne Gonzalez

Published: April 26, 2019

The Drumline World Championships are hosted annually at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Drumline ensembles consist of drums and mallet instruments. The ensembles are placed in a group of others like them based on size and musical ability. The championships consist of prelims, semifinals, and finals to determine the best of percussion ensembles. The 2019 championships event was held April 11 to 13.

Mariana Tiscareño is a member of the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble group based in Denver, Colorado. Blue Knights is grouped in the Independent World section of percussion. Tiscareño loves all things music; she even calls it her “happy place.” By furthering her passion for music, she was inducted into the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble. For the first time since 2015, the ensemble group made their way into semifinals.

Blue Knights’ 2019 show is titled “The First Incarnation.” A show about the first Phoenix rising up from the ashes. The show thoroughly follows the journey and obstacles the first Phoenix faces. The egg of Phoenix is staged in the middle of their show. Throughout the show, intruders attack the egg. Eventually, the egg is lit on fire. Rising from the ashes, the first Phoenix is born. Throughout this show, the performers protect the Phoenix and praise its arrival out of the ashes.

Just like the Phoenix, Blue Knights rose up from their ashes. Tiscareño proclaims that the show “was used as the metaphor because the Phoenix is always rising from the ashes, coming up from where you were and doing better.” The ensemble took their inspiration from the Phoenix to create their own goals. Their main goal this year was to perform well enough that they make the semifinals. “The whole season our whole goal was to make it to the semis,” Tiscareño explains. “If we made it to finals, awesome. But semifinals was the goal.” Through this great timing show, it allowed for the members to become more excited about the music and the show they were performing.

The much-needed metaphor motivated the ensemble to achieve their goal. Blue Knights practiced every Saturday for twelve hours. Every Sunday they had rehearsal from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each weekend since October was full of music and rehearsal. Tiscareño’s own schedule consisted of practicing every day in Frasier Hall, her university’s music practice building. These long rehearsals kept Tiscareño motivated and challenged. “It was definitely really challenging,” Tiscareño states. “But I think that’s why I liked it because it pushed me to be a better musician.” Their group was determined to make the semifinals so they set their minds to achieving their goal. Although they did not overachieve their goals to make finals, the group was happy with being able to perform at semifinals. Next year, April 2020, the group hopes to strive even further and perform at the World Championship finals.

Although drumline season is over, Tiscareño participates in other musical opportunities. Her music minor keeps her life busy and full of music. “Music has been a big part of my life,” Tiscareño expressed. She hopes to further her music career with the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble. “The community there is fantastic. Everyone is so caring,” Tiscareño describes, “The staff is there to strive to help you get better.” While waiting for the next drumline season, Tiscareño plans to be in the University of Northern Colorado’s marching band in the fall. She also participates in the concert percussion ensemble at the University of Northern Colorado.