In April, the EPHS Drumline traveled to Dayton, Ohio to compete in the WGI Percussion Nationals. From April 19 to 22, they competed in the Scholastic World Class with their show “Against the Grain.” Junior Crystal Li’s favorite part of the competition was “getting oranges at the top of the WGI tunnel.” The organizers give competitors oranges before they perform every year.

Since November, the drumline has rehearsed twice a week with occasional weekend rehearsals. They have competed in multiple WGI (Winter Guard International) and MPA (Minnesota Percussion Association) events. This year, the group had only 23 people, which is about half the normal size.

The previous week, from April 12 to 14, the EPHS Varsity Winterguard also competed in their WGI Nationals competition with their show “He Loves Me Not.” They advanced to the semifinals. “We had a very good final performance before spending the rest of the weekend watching world class performances and enjoying 70 degree weather, “ said senior Ashley Tostenson.

“The Winterguard program had a very good season overall. All three teams won their respective classes at our state championship on April 6,” said Tostenson. The varsity team earned a 91.6/100, the highest score in EPHS history.

WGI Nationals marks the end of the drumline and winterguard seasons.