Vic Firth is excited to offer students and educators around the world exposure to some of our nation's most outstanding programs. The Portsmouth High School Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Vic Firth Education Team Member Steve Cirillo, is the NESBA 2004, 2005, and 2006 PSCO Gold Medalist, 2003 WGI Scholastic Concert Open Class World Champions and the 2004, 2006 WGI PSCO Silver Medalists.

Steve began the PHS Concert Percussion Ensemble so that students throughout the music program could be involved in a high quality, performance oriented activity.  The literature has been chosen from great Classical composers such as Copeland, Bizet, Glinka, Rimski-Korsakov and Shostakovich.

The Percussion Ensemble is one of many after school music activities offered by the music department.  Any student who wants to play percussion is given the opportunity to be involved in a summer technique program that allows them to develop the skills needed to be a member.  According to Steve, "The students in the percussion ensemble have a desire to perform to a higher standard.  The skills they acquire are brought back to the band and other ensembles, bringing everyone in the music program to a higher level."

Support from the school and community is necessary to achieve at this level. Starting small, with only a few instruments, Steve borrowed instruments from the Boston Crusaders and supplemented with his own personal collection to get the ensemble off the ground. For the next several years, he worked closely with the other band directors and band booster club to purchase the many instruments that you'll see in the video.

Because of their dedication and hard work, Portsmouth has a reason to be proud of their students and percussion instructor. Vic Firth offers the PHS students, parents, music educators and administration our deepest admiration for making the arts a priority in their public schools!