Hilton Percussion Drumline Ensemble

The Hilton Winter Percussion Drumline has been celebrated as the NYS champion thirteen times. With shows based on the music of composers like Bizet, Copeland, and Gershwin, the group has also won numerous regional competitions in places like Coatesville, PA; Troy, MI; and Trumbull, CT; and has placed as a finalist in Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, OH. The Hilton Winter Drumline is a member of the New York State Percussion Circuit, and competes at membership tournaments throughout Western New York, including a competition hosted each winter at Hilton High School. Drumline members are also members of the Hilton Crimson Cadets Marching Band. Between 25-30 students participate in drumline each year. For more information about Hilton's premiere percussion group, please contact Drumline Director Tim Stodd at 585-392-1000 ext. 4220.  

2010 Season  The Hilton High School Percussion placed second at the New York State Percussion Circuit Championships held at Victor High School; on to WGI Percussion Worlds April 17  The Hilton High School Percussion placed second at the New York State Percussion Circuit Championships held at Victor High School in Victor, NY on March 28th.  Hilton HS competed in the highly skilled PSRO division which is the most advanced scholastic division in NY.  Hilton also placed third in the Percussion Scholastic A Finals at the Winter Guard International Regional competition held in Mullica Hill, NJ on March 20, 2010 according to Drumline ensemble Director Tim Stodd, Hilton CSD teacher.  Twenty-three ensembles competed for top honors at the NYSPC Championships, and 20 ensembles from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia competed for top honors at the WGI Regional competition in New Jersey.  Hilton placed first in the “Performance” category at the NYSPC Championships, and first in the “Visual” category in both Prelims and Finals at the WGI Regional in NJ.  Hilton will finish the 2010 competition season in Dayton, Ohio on April 17 as the ensemble will compete in the WGI World Percussion Championships.  A special benefit performance for community members, parents, and friends will be held at the Hilton HS on Monday evening, April 12 at 7:30pm. 

2009 SEASON   HHS Percussion Ensemble wins First Place at NYS Percussion Championships in Victor; first place at WGI Regional in Troy, Michigan; "a legendary season"   "It has been another legendary season for the Hilton Drumline!" commented Drumline Director and Arranger Tim Stodd, instrumental music teacher at Hilton's Northwood Elementary School. On April 5, 2009 the Hilton Winter Drumline placed first in the Percussion Scholastic Regional Open Division, the most advanced Scholastic division, at the NY State Percussion Circuit Championships. The NYSPC Championships were held at Victor High School. Twenty-three ensembles from New York, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada competed for top honors in seven separate divisions. The 2009 NYSPC Championship title for Hilton is their 12th in a row, and the 13th in the 14 years of the NYSPC.  Hilton also placed first in the PSA Division at the WGI Regional in Troy, Michigan March 21, 2009.  WinterGuard International  is the world organization for drumlines and colorguards. Hilton has now placed first in a WGI Regional for each of the last four years: 2009 in Troy, Michigan; 2008 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania; 2007 in Coatesville; and 2006 in Stratford, Connecticut.  Hilton High School competed in seven separate contests in 2009 and placed first in all but one: first place February 7, 2009 at Midlakes High School; second place February 28, 2008 at Hilton High School; first place March 7, 2007 at Phoenix High School; first place March 21, 2007 at the WGI Regional Prelims in Troy, Michigan; first place March 28, 2009 Marcus Whitman; and first place April 5, 2009, NYSPC Championships. 

The Percussion Ensemble placed first at the WinterGuard International Regional held in Troy, Michigan on March 21, 2009.  "Hilton placed first in the PSA class in both the prelims and the finals," said Director Tim Stodd who is Drumline Director and music teacher at Hilton's Northwood Elementary School. The 2009 program is based on George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and features formally dressed percussionists playing their instruments marching elaborate drill maneuvers and dancing in a 1930’s art deco ballroom setting.  The WGI review said this about Hilton: "Hilton HS (Scholastic Marching A 85.55-1st) with all males dressed in formal wear with white suit coats and the ladies in black and gold, Hilton performed selections from Gershwins Porgy and Bess. And perform they did! Very nice sounds where mixed with some fine old style dancing. This group from New York sounded bigger than they actually were. This group quickly became a fan favorite, rightly so!"

Musical and drill movements are arranged by Mr. Stodd.  The staff members include Ken and Juli Brooks, Mary Burke, and Hilton Alumus Nick Finzer.  The win at WGI Troy Regional marks the fourth consecutive year that Hilton HS has placed first in a nationally recognized WGI Regional competition. Hilton is a member of NY State Percussion Circuit  Seniors Nick Jackson and Brenna Helfer accepted the first place award.

For further information and to contact Mr. Stodd: Northwood Elementary School, 433 North Greece Road, Hilton, NY  14468;  585-392-1000 ext. 4220.