“Looking back at the start of the season, I had no idea it would end the way it did,” says Nathan Martini, Tenor Line section leader.
2018 marked a historic year for IMPACT Percussion that was capped off by an incredible first place finish at the WGI Percussion World Championships in Dayton, OH.
But as staff members at IMPACT like to remind members, each year isn’t about the destination we arrive at, it’s about the journey we take to get there.
The journey of IMPACT’s 2018 season started back in November 2017 as musicians from across Washington state auditioned for a spot in the 2018 cast. Over two weekends, members showed off their skills, and staff members eventually set the line at 33 outstanding members – IMPACT’s largest ensemble to date.
“The audition process was challenging, but it pushed me to get better. I think everyone got to learn and experience something new during the process. It definitely got me motivated for the season,” says Vincent Mason, bass drummer.
For the next four months, members worked hard as they learned and then practiced to perfect the music and movement of their 2018 production, “Into A Rose”.
“This was definitely our most ambitious show to date. The moving, playing, and character demands we placed on the members were extremely high for our group. Plus, this was our first year using props – and they came with their own set of unique challenges,” says Josh Peterson, IMPACT Percussion Director.
In March, IMPACT left the Tri-Cities to compete. The group’s first competition was in McMinnville, OR in early March. The very next weekend, the group headed to Salem, OR for the WGI Portland Regional. IMPACT finished in first place at both competitions.
After a couple rehearsal weekends following the WGI Regional, IMPACT competed at the NWAPA Championships in Salem, OR, and was named Independent A Regional Champions. By the way, this was by far the wettest competition IMPACT has ever been to. It poured non-stop in the afternoon and evening. Just about everyone and everything got soaked. But we survived!
“Usually NWAPA Championships is our last show, but since we went to Dayton this year. The regional championships felt a little different. It felt like we still had a lot of work to do to get the show where it needed to be,” says Lia Severson, vibraphone player.
IMPACT returned to the Tri-Cities for the ensemble’s final rehearsals in Washington state. Members performed one last time for local family and friends at their Home Show in Kennewick. Then, they took off for the WGI Percussion World Championships in Dayton, OH.
“Going into Dayton, I really didn’t know what to expect. I was excited but also nervous because we had never been to World Championships before. I was hoping we would do well, but you never know,” says Carla Villaseñor, synth player.
*Check out our WGI World Championships Blog for detailed coverage of our trip to Dayton
Out of the 43 IMPACT members and staff who traveled to Dayton, only two staff members had been to Dayton before. Only TWO out of 43 people! Just going on this trip was a significant step for the organization and a life-changing event for the members.
IMPACT competed against 26 ensembles from across the country, and after a prelims round, semi-finals round, and finals round, IMPACT Percussion finished in first place, and was named World Champions in WGI’s Independent A class!
“This season was the most incredible season that I have ever been apart of. Just hearing the crowd roar after every show made me realize that this season was special. The friendships that I created were the best ones that I could have asked for as well,” says RJ Risinger, bass drummer.
But this season’s story isn’t about the ending. The journey that everyone took together to get here is what will stay with us forever. Those long rehearsal nights, those early morning stretch blocks, those awesome parts of the show, those difficult visual rehearsals, and going through everything with our best friends – that’s what this is all about. It was a GREAT journey!
Congratulations to all on this outstanding, championship season, and thank you to all our friends, families, and community supporters!
Check out this wrap-up video of our time in Dayton!