April 19, 2010

Drumline 11th at WGI in Dayton April 17; second in NY State Championships March 28

Hilton High School reached the World Percussion Finals for second time in five years according to Director Tim Stodd.  The 21 member marching percussion ensemble from Hilton High School qualified for the Finals in the WGI World Percussion Championships held in Dayton, Ohio on April 15-17, 2010.   "There were 178 ensembles from the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan participating in the 2010 competition," he said. "Hilton was not only one of the smallest ensembles in the competition, but also one of the youngest with an average age of just under 15 years old. Over the course of two days, Hilton moved through three grueling rounds of competition to eventually finish 11th in the Percussion Scholastic-A Division Finals." Hilton was also a WGI Finalist in 2006.  The Drumline presented one of the twentieth century’s most popular symphonic works, Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis,”  which was performed on a floor of burgundy, gold, and white with tall curtained backdrops. The group’s strength was its musicianship, with a fantastic blend between the battery and pit. The performance ended with the lively “March” from the piece, earning a shower of applause from the appreciative spectators according the the WGI's online review of the performance.  The ensemble is directed by Hilton Central music teacher Tim Stodd.

A special benefit performance of the winning Percussion Drumline for community members, parents, and friends was held at the Hilton High School on April 12, 2010.  The award-winning Drumline will compete in the WGI Percussion World Championships in Dayton, Ohio April 15-17 at the University of Dayton Arena and Nutter Center according to Director Tim Stodd, Hilton Instrumental Music Teacher. 

Hilton High School Percussion Ensemble  placed second at the New York State Percussion Circuit Championships held at Victor High School in Victor, NY on March 28, 2010.  Hilton 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. 

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.   

The Hilton Winter Drumline is 13-time New York State Percussion Circuit Champions and has won numerous regional Winter Guard International (WGI) championships.   

For further Drumline information and to contact Mr. Tim Stodd please call 585-392-1000 ext. 4220.