The percussion program’s main priority is to really just let student performers have fun with music, putting a whole show together as well as being competitive, aiming to be one of the best ensembles in Arizona. Main Director Ethyn Corfield is the one who started this program since he himself was a performer for professional indoor percussion Breakthrough. Also having experience in drum corps international for the colts. Also with a very skilled group of staff including Erin Blake, Kyle Marzano, Kiersten Valesquez, Holly Anderson, Tyler Medrano, Nate, Alessandro Piombi, Jenni Johnson, and Kaitlyn Misch. So with all the staff having experience in indoor independent groups or drum and bugle corps groups for example Boston Crusaders, Colts, Academy, etc.
Now ever since around November 2023 the program was holding auditions for about a week or two. So far the ensemble that the staff has picked has been practicing very hard dedicating the time they have during practice to every rep yet still having fun since it’s something they all enjoy. Soon the ensemble will be making their way into competitions seeing how much of a tough season this will be. Other schools like buckeye, Ironwood ridge, and others are all making tremendous progress meaning that the performers will have to push their limits. If they want to have an amazing season and hopefully make it to championships.
So before every competition, the percussion ensemble always has practice the day before. Like how it was for the Percussion EVAL show at Canyon View High school on February 3rd. Now for EVAL each group performs twice just because it’s technically a showcase and for everyone has a chance to see it. Although it was the first time the group has performed in front of an actual audience. They ended up putting on an amazing performance for the crowd, yes they were nervous but they knew exactly what to do in the moment. So then once they perform they go to load the trailer up and see other groups’ shows which were absolutely amazing to watch seeing all kinds of shows.
Then as we make more progress throughout the season we improve even further for the next competition coming to this ensemble. So then the location for the next competition was at Sahuarita High School on February 10th. The bus ride was around 2 hours long though so the group while on the bus ride decided to get some rest or practice just to make sure they were completely focused for the competition.
Then as soon as the group arrived they went immediately to their spot to warm up. Yes it was freezing but gladly every member brought something to keep them warm. It sounded so cool hearing all types of exercises coming from different schools showing the variety of different warm-ups. So then the Agua Fria ensemble got all of their equipment ready to begin their warm-ups. Later in the warm ups though it began to rain slightly but with every minute went by the rain got worse. Forced every percussion group that was warming up to move all their equipment into cover making sure nothing will get damaged but soon everything was fixed. The competition just had to be slightly delayed because of the weather but everything was back to normal without any issues
Now when it was time for rewards the group ended up placing 3rd out of 7th with a 69.80. Currently, the group hasn’t performed in a couple of weeks so they are right now top 10 on the leaderboard. But this Saturday the 24th the group will perform at the focus show to see where they will be ranked now with the other groups. Showing tremendous progress the past few days.
Anyway the group will soon perform at one of the Agua Fria High School assemblies to entertain the school and just show our tremendous progress to the students and hopefully recruit more for the future seasons!