VIC FIRTH SALUTES 2008 WGI World Championships

UPDATE: 5/9/08:
Penn State, Stryke, Pacifica, Trumbull, Fountain Valley: Video2

Come back later today for video more updates from Open Class Medalists!
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Vic Firth Interview with
John Mapes and Ian Grom

John Mapes and Ian Grom are the “dynamic duo” behind the success of many of Southern California's top A, Open and World Class ensembles. Altogether, the groups that they have designed and taught for have been medalists at the WGI Championships SIX times since 2005!

Vic Firth Salutes  Jay Webb and Dave Marvin
WGI 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees

The Hall of Fame is the highest honor to those individuals who make a significant contribution to WGI, and who have in some way influenced the course of our history. Their contribution may be made through artistic standards, administrative leadership or adjudication.

Watch our video interviews
with Dave and Jay!

 

Who makes Vic Firth number one?
Click here to view photos from our staff gallery!



CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S MEDALISTS
WHO CHOSE VIC FIRTH AS THEIR STICK AND MALLET OF CHOICE!

Riverside Community College
Riverside, CA

Director: Gary Locke
Caption Head/Battery Arr: Sean Vega
Instructors: Mike Jackson, Pete Sapadin, Fernando Miller, Jared Andrews, Brian Dinkle, Jenny Jackson

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Dartmouth High School
Dartmouth, MA

Director/Battery Arranger: Tom Aungst
Front Ensemble Arranger/Instructor: Neil Larrivee
Instructors: Darcy Aungst, Ian Flint, Stan Moore, Jen O'Neill, Jason Medeiros

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Mission Viejo High School
Mission Viejo, CA

Caption Head/Arranger: Mike Jackson
Instructors: Jared Andrews, Jenny Jackson, Mike Girard

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Goshen High School
Goshen, IN

Director: Tom Cox
Arranger/Instructor: Chris Smith

Instructor: Scott Simon

   

Tunstall High School
Danville, VA

Director/Instructor: Tim Bray

   


Penn State Indoor Drumline
State College, PA

Director/Caption Head: Brett Baker
Instructors: Tollie Contento, Frank Franko, Erin O'Dore, Kevin Consorti, Mike Windish, Matt Rutherford

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STRYKE Percussion Ensemble
Palm Beach, FL

Director: Scott Hughes
Battery Arr: Rudy Flores
Front Arr: Ray Donato
Instructors:
Tony Del Rivero, Cisco Hance, Tony Gamble, David Karpinski, Alain Brodeur, Jon Kersten, Jorge Maldonado, Christopher Infante, Ben Freedman

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Pacifica High School
Garden Grove, CA

Arranger/Caption Head: John Mapes
Instructors: Ian Grom, Paul Nesbit, Matt Jones

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Trumbull High School
Trumbull, CT

Director: Tom Whitmoyer
Caption Head: Chris Rivera
Instructors: Austin Avery, CJ Barrett, Bryan Crawford, Dan Csukas, and Dave Dumont

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Fountain Valley High School
Huntington Beach, CA

Battery Arranger/Caption Head: John Mapes
Front Arranger/Caption Head: Ian Grom
Instructors: Jeremy Riley

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Mansfield High School
Mansfield, MA

Director: Peter Conti
Arranger/Instructor: Matthew McGuire
Instructors:
David Cavanaugh, Laurie Sklar

   


Bear Creek High School
Lakewood, CO

Tammy Ahmed - Director
Instructor: Lauren Ryals

   


Muscle Shoals High School
Muscle Shoals, AL

Director/Instructor: David Waters
Consultant: Iain Moyer

   

Full Force Percussion
Buena Park, CA

Director: Luis Garcia
Assistant Director: Mayra Iraheta
Arranger/Caption Head: Jose Iraheta
Instructors:Carlos Sanchez, Luis Garcia, Bruno Cilloniz

   


Farmington United Percussion
Farmington, MI

Director: Joe Kuerzi
Instructors: Gary McCombs, Rob Simko, Paul Williams, Mike Yoskovich, Rich Hogan, Tom Machowski
, Tim Leach, Sarah Harrison

   


South Hills High School
West Covina, CA

Arranger: Tony Nuñez
Instructors: Jesus Alcantar, Jordan Relevo, Justin Ong


 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S FINALISTS
WHO CHOSE VIC FIRTH AS THEIR STICK AND MALLET OF CHOICE!
INDEPENDENT WORLD PERCUSSION

Blue Knights
Colorado Springs, CO

Director: Peter Bretz
Instructors: Sean McElroy, Leah Bretz, Jason Herron, Colin McAllister, Alvin Ramos, Jeff Gleason, Brian McKelvey

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Freelancers
Sacramento, CA

Director: Don Silva
Caption Head/Battery Arr: Roger Carter
Front Arr/Instructor: Vince Oliver
Instructors: Casey Brohard, Rudy Garcia, Ryan Odello, Cameron Spencer, John Grant, Joaqin Gomez

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Infinity
Orlando, FL

Directors: Tom Hurst, John Campese
Front Arr: Omar Carmenates
Battery Arr: Lee Hansen
Instructors: Jared Johnson, Justin Robards, Mike Marino, Anish John, Angela Tull

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United Percussion
Voorhees, NJ

Director: Chad Moore
Arranger: William Woodward
Designers: Mike Nevin, Jason Majerczak
Instructors: Chet Tietsworth, Lou Randazzo, Mike Dow, Chris Johnson, Chris Vanacore, Nicole Monte, Kelly Howell

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Eastside Fury
Ypsilanti, MI

Director: Jason Ihnat
Assoc Director: Ralph Biggs
Instructors: Nick Saputo, Paul Loos, Neil Pitman, Laura Skok, Tom Hinsman

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SCHOLASTIC WORLD PERCUSSION

Chino Hills High School
Chino Hills, CA

Arranger/Caption Head: John Mapes
Instructors: Jeremy Riley, Ian Grom, Eileen Chen, Brian Horan, Ryan Anderson

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Winston Churchill High School
San Antonio, TX

Arranger/Caption Head: Chris Retschulte
Consultant: Thom Hannum
Instructors: Kevin Sweeney, Bobby Hoyt, Jordan Stern, Steve Ferenczy, Travis Watson

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Avon High School
Avon, IN

Director: Jay Webb
Caption Head/Batter Arr/Instructor: Jeff Queen
Front Arr/Instructor: Drew Schnieders

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Arcadia High School
Arcadia, CA

Caption Head: Kevin Sherrill
Arranger: Tony Nuñez
Instructors: Kevin Shah, Jeff Doolittle, Oliver Bullock

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Northglenn High School
Northglenn, CO

Director/Arranger: Dave Marvin
Instructors: Kathy Marvin, Scott Reno, Jimmy Bell

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SCHOLASTIC CONCERT WORLD PERCUSSION

Warsaw Community High School
Warsaw, IN

Director/Instructor: Mickey Ratliff


Tarpon Springs High School
Tarpon Springs, FL

Directors: Kevin Ford, Bob Barfield
Arranger/Instructor: Justin Ebach

Corona Del Sol High School
Tempe, AZ

Director/Instructor: Scott Werner

INDEPENDENT OPEN PERCUSSION

Palmetto Percussion
Columbia, SC

Directors/ Designers: Erik Crook, AJ Pace
Caption Head: Colin Brown
Instructors: Alex Mowery, Joel Gardner, Kenny Kominic, Tim Davis, Brad Meyer

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Valley Independent Percussion
Bakersfield, CA

Director: Konstine Shaw
Caption Head: Jorge Brodt
Instructors: Alex Herrera, Glen Guevara, Robert Bowen, Travis Vernon

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Dark Sky Percussion
Flagstaff, AZ

Director: Seth Woodard
Instructors: Sharon Woodard, Tanner Woodard, Shalamar Georgia, Chris Elias, Alison Brightwell, Drew McCrea, Dave Authement

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SCHOLASTIC OPEN PERCUSSION

King Philip Regional High School
Wrentham, MA

Director: Peter Tileston
Caption Head/Batter Arr/Instructor: Zach Schlicher
Front Arr/Instructor: Olin Johannessen
Instructors: Chuck Moulton, Ryan Loud, Jim Foulis, Nick Ferzoco, Tim Sepe

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Stamford High School
Stamford, CT

Caption Head/Battery Arranger: Chris Perna
Front Ensemble Arranger: Tim Holcomb
Instructors: Chase Bronstein, Sal Flores

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North Penn High School
Lansdale, PA

Caption Head: Rich Hammond
Instructors: Frank McGuigan, Jeff Piscitello, Adam Benner, Frank Franko

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Bob Jones High School
Madison, AL

Caption Head: Keith Anderson
Instructors: David Waters, Kevin Entinger, Bryan Barley, Nathaniel Michal, Joseph Cayse

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Andrew High School
Tinley Park, IL

Caption Heads: Alan Barone, Mike Zuziak
Instructors: John Kelly, Abby Nevell, Amy Kristanat

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Upper Darby High School
Drexel Hill, PA

Caption Head: Jason Majerczak
Instructors: Mike Behrle, Mike Lalli, Bob Cizmarik, Jeff Ormsby, Yvonne Brandt, Bridget Benson

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CONCERT OPEN PERCUSSION  

Clayton High School
Clayton, NC

Director: John Pearson
Arranger/Instructor: Mike Worley

INDEPENDENT A CLASS  

Spirit of America Percussion Ensemble
Orleans, MA

Caption Head/Battery Arr: Jeff Hope
Front Arr: Colby Kuzontkoski
Instructors: Ian Hale, James Sparling, Br. Isaac Haig, Kyle Norman, Cori Shannon, Nick Gleason

Columbia Percussion
Brooklyn, MI

Director/Arranger: Jim Rebbeck
Instructor: Ed Warren

SCHOLASTIC A CLASS  

Martinsville High School
Martinsville, IN

Director: Nate Wilkerson
Instructors: Jake Harpster, Blake Walters, Michelle Bingamon

Davidson High School
Hilliard, OH

Instructor: Don Ley

Longmont High School
Longmont, CO

Caption Head: Dave Marvin

Carroll High School
Dayton, OH

Director: Carl Soucek
Instructors: James Sparling, Matt Hahn

Broomfield High School
Federal Heights, CO

Caption Head: James Bell


CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ENSEMBLES FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!

 

Independent World

Constitution
Shelby, NC

Director: Greg Shull
Caption Head: Will Goodyear
Arranger: Freddie Smith
Instructors: Matt Ramey, Jim Boyce, Teddy Holcomb

Great Lakes Percussion
Grandville, MI

Director: Jamel Taylor
Caption Head: Tim Church
Instructors: Jim Walsh, Justin Smith, Scott Uzarski


Scholastic Concert World

Downey High School
Downey, CA

Instructors: Bruno Cilloniz

 


Independent Open

Boston University
Boston, MA

Director: Chris Parks
Caption Head: Mike Wasielewski
Instructors: Matt Ramey, Phil Perry

L.e.a.P.
Lindenhurst, IL

Director/Arranger: Jeff Hoke
Instructors: Laith Hodi, Nick Kettman, David Midell, Gina DeGregorio

Motor City Percussion
Westland, MI

Director/Caption Head: Aaron Swick
Instructors: Jayson Peterson, Glen Oliver, Chris Gazdag, Dave Jennings

Speed Percussion
Campbellsville, KY

Director: Seth Whitaker
Instructors: Brian Eisert, Blake Owens, Jared Andrews, Patrick Brady, Matt Moore


Scholastic Open

Basha High School
Chandler, AZ

Caption Head: Jimmy Madonia
Instructors: John McClean, Dustin Roa, Thien Pham

Bellbrook High School
Bellbrook, OH

Caption Head: James Sparling
Instructors: Nick Angelis, Matt Hahn, Ryan Lamb, Thomas Sparling, Mike Terranova, Andy Soloman

Central Crossing High School
Grove City, OH

Caption Head: Eric Hubbell
Instructor: Ryan Kilgore

Chantilly High School
Chantilly, VA

Director: Drew Ross
Caption Head: Chris Martin

Clovis East High School
Clovis, CA

Director: Phil Vallejo
Caption Head: Eric Melson
Instructors: Mark Hammons, Jason Burroughs

Cypress Bay High School
Weston, FL

Director: Brian Travelsted
Instructors: Johnathon Jadvani, Brandon Kunka, Matt Koger, Allison Jadvani

Fleming Island High School
Orange Park, FL

Caption Head: Scott Barengo
Instructors: Ryan Boswell, Steve Barengo, Andy Boesenecker, Chris Cresswell, Shane Carkhuff, Robert Horne

Jenison High School
Jenison, MI

Director/Instructor: Will Gordillo
Instructors: Rick Gordillo, Jimmy York, Tricia Schoenborn

Kings High School
Kings Mills, OH

Caption Head: Mike Maegly
Instructors: Joe Davis, Mike Folz, Sarah Cornett

Monarch High School
Louisville, CO

Instructors: Scott Reno, James Steinke

Tate High School
Pensacola, FL

Arranger/Caption Head: Jesse Campbell
Instructors: Rebecca Smith, Richard Barlow, Ryan Whited

Thomas Worthington High School
Worthington, OH

Caption Head: James Fantine
Instructors: Brian Vogt, Matt Stevens, Aaron Friedman, Andrew Hensel, Jackie Foreman


Scholastic Concert Open

East Central High School
St. Leon, IN

Director/Arranger/Instructor: Clint Hott

Golden High School
Golden, CO

Director/Instructor: Ryan Serpan
Instructor: Derek Wilkerson

Naugatuck High School
Naugatuck, CT

Director: Bob Kogut
Instructor: Donny Binette

 


Independent A

Algonac Wave
Algonac, MI

Director: Robert Gras

 


Scholastic A

Becker High School
Becker, MN

Caption Head: Patrick Lyons

Clinton Massie High School
Clarksville, OH

Caption Head: Scott Courtney
Instructor: Alex Schulze

Coon Rapids High School
Coon Rapids, MN

Caption Head: Kevin Fuhrman

Dixie Heights
Edgewood, KY

Instructors: Greg Wagner

East Central High School
St. Leon, IN

Director: Clint Hott

Francis Howell High School
St. Charles, MO

Director: Chris Miller

Haddon Heights High School
Haddon Heights, NJ

Instructor: Rob Renninger

Kickapoo High School
Viola, WA

Instructor: Troy Peterson

Lebanon High School
Lebanon, OH

Instructors: Josh Blake, Andrew Saunders

Sequoyah High School
Madisonville, TN

Instructor: Seth Tate

South County High School
Lorton, VA

Caption Head: Alan Johnson

Southgate Anderson High School
Southgate, MI

Caption Head: Joe Kuerzi

Sumter High School
Sumter, SC

Caption Head: Erik Hines

West Johnston High School
Benson, NC

Caption Head: Bill Register

Westhill High School
Stamford, CT

Director: Diane Zinicola
Percussion Instructors: Roodiny Pierre, Stacey Palumbo, Chris Bucko