Percussion Ensemble/Winter Percussion

If you are someone who wants to learn more about percussion, or if you are a percussionist who is not in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, you will be enrolled in the percussion class as a means to fulfill your Symphonic Band/performing arts credit. In the percussion class, you will study different types of percussion literature, learn how to play various percussion instruments, and perform individual and ensemble pieces. In addition, you may be a part of the Winter Percussion Ensemble, which performs and competes locally in the Winter months. The Winter Percussion Ensemble rehearses outside of the school day and fulfills a semester of PE requirement.

Saratoga “A” 2024 – “Heartbound”

Mvmt 1 – Bound

Mvmt 2 – Escape

Mvmt 3 – Free

Vocals:
Escape, Go Run, Escape, This is My Prison, This was My Prison, Free

“Heartbound” portrays the power of the heart – binding us like captives in a prison and breaking us free of any and all shackles. In “Bound”, we explore this idea of being bound by what we feel in any situation. In “Escape”, you’ll see the struggle of an individual realizing their imprisonment and attempting to break free from their shackles. The end of the show aims to show the freedom that may be on the other side of our internal or external baggage. Over the course of the production, you will see a visual change as we move from imprisonment to freedom. 

Saratoga “World” 2024 – “Facade” (/fəˈsäd/)

n. Facade 1) the face of a building, 2) [a face] that is maintained to conceal [one’s real identity]. 

Mvmt 1 – Face & Mask

Mvmt 2 – Mirror

Mvmt 3 – Glitch

Uniform: Angular cut uniform with sharp colors & artificial changing color fabric

Floor: LED color strips concealed by a mask

Props: LED masks, large triangle props

Vocals:
You better hope that your mask is made with good clay
If it cracks at all, they’ll know right away
Catch your tears before they hit your jaw
Or they’ll know that it’s all a facade


Our production, “Facade,” grapples with this concept of identity and highlights the masks that we as individuals wear each day as we maneuver through society. Are we who we think we are or are we just a collection of different masks we wear like clothes in our wardrobe? 


In “Face & Mask,” you’ll see an emphasis on the individual and the identity they have individually and collectively in their sections. The triangle props start with one side revealed and two others concealed. During the production, you’ll see the faces change and evolve. In “Mirror,” our ensemble starts to interact with the mirror side of our prop revealing the masks they never knew they wore. As we get to the closing production, “Glitch”, our ensemble realizes the constant manicuring of their masks may have just created a false identity, one they can’t seem to change or rollback. Perhaps the only real facade is ever thinking you know yourself or those around you – It’s the people we don’t know…