Massachusetts' Own SPIRIT WINTER PERCUSSION Ensemble Wins Gold Medal

SPIRIT WINTER PERCUSSION (WP), a Cape Cod-based ensemble of 26 members ages 10-22, led by Richard K. Pugsley (Director) and Ian Hale (Percussion Director), scored 97.025 in Finals Competition today, placing FIRST in their division at the WinterGuard International (WGI) World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. At this momentous event that draws over 12,000 participants from all over the world, SPIRIT WP performed in front of thousands of people, in person and via live webcast, with their exquisite, action-packed show exploring love, anger, indifference, and passion through the Argentinian music and dance of the Tango. Spirit congratulates all of the 35 ensembles competing in their division, Percussion Independent Open Class!

Watch the making of their show, TANGO!, online at www.spiritwp.org/media.

Representing the true spirit of Massachusetts with their commitment to Teamwork, Patriotism, and Excellence, SPIRIT WP is a living model of the power of music and the arts to inspire young people to achieve the impossible.

ABOUT THE SHOW

TANGO! explores the vast and complicated relationship of love, anger, indifference and passion through the Argentinian music and movement of the Tango. Inspired by the music of Michel Camilo's Libertango, Tango de Roxanne from Moulin Rouge, Julio Iglesias' La Cumparsita, and Astor Piazzolla's Tango Suite, the 26-member ensemble presents a high-impact, fast-paced performance that weaves together precision drill, dance, dramatic costuming, and all the passion and emotion of South American culture. Unique this year, the show features traditional Latin American cajon drums, which ensemble members studied with professional solo artist Damon Grant, who has been featured in Modern Drummer and Latin Beat magazines.

ABOUT SPIRIT WINTER PERCUSSION

Spirit Winter Percussion (www.spiritwp.org), under the direction of Richard K. Pugsley (Director) and Ian Hale (Percussion Director), ranges in age from 10 to 22. Every year the group immerses itself in a richly educational process of developing a dynamic, indoor show. The season culminates at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, where Spirit earned the Gold medal in their division in 2012, the Bronze in 2013, and advanced to the Open Class division in 2014. In addition to teaching the rudiments of music and marching, the experience of Winter Percussion helps young people to develop essential life skills of leadership, teamwork, discipline, empathy, and respect.

Spirit Winter Percussion is open to any young person under age 22. The ensemble regularly offers school assemblies and public performances for the wider community on Cape Cod, and hosts an annual Day of Percussion featuring world-class percussion artists for a day of free clinics and performances offered to students throughout New England.

ABOUT WGI SPORT OF THE ARTS

WinterGuard International (WGI) Sport of the Arts (www.wgi.org) provides a venue for young people to achieve the extraordinary through performance and competition. Founded in 1977, WGI Sport of the Arts is the world's premier organization producing indoor color guard and percussion ensemble competitions. As a non-profit youth organization, WGI serves as the leading governing body of the winter guard and indoor percussion activities. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. Now entering its 37th year, the sport continues to evolve and grow. There were more than 36,000 participants at the regional Mlast April.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Lynch: 774-722-4179, jlynch@gdaf.org or visit www.spiritwp.org.