First place in the state for the first time

The New Philadelphia Indoor Percussion Ensemble and Winter Guard Kaleidoscope has competed in two championship events during the past several weeks.On March 27 and 28, the groups competed at Centerville and Miamisburg high schools in the 2010 MEPA (Mid East Performance Association) Championships. Thirteen units competed in the Scholastic A class. After competing in the preliminary competition on Saturday, followed by the finals competition on Sunday, the New Philadelphia Percussion ensemble walked away with first place, and Kaleidoscope finished the MEPA season with a strong performance. This event ranked the indoor percussion ensemble first place in the state in their class for the first time in the school’s history.On Thursday, April 15, the percussion ensemble traveled to the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton to compete at the WGI (Winter Guard International) World Championships. Groups from all over the world travel to Dayton to compete in this prestigious, four-day competition. New Philadelphia’s class consisted of 54 groups from 19 different states with groups coming from as far away as California to compete in this world renowned event. After competing Thursday afternoon, New Philadelphia was one of 24 groups that proceeded to semifinals competition. Following semifinals on Thursday evening, New Philadelphia was ranked 13th in the nation in their class. Kaleidoscope performed April 8 in the preliminary round of WGI also in the University of Dayton Arena. Kaleidoscope competed against 86 guards in their class alone. Although they did not make the second round of the competition, of the eight guards from Ohio in the competition in Scholastic A class, Kaleidoscope finished fifth.Both groups are part of the New Philadelphia High School Instrumental Department. Staff for the Percussion Ensemble include Nic McCoy, Daphne Check, Kyle Mattevi, Audrey Lab, and Roman Hershberger. Erica Yarnell serves as director of Kaleidoscope.