Percussion Ensemble Earns Second Superior Rating at District Music Competition
Percussion Ensemble is one of the newest classes at Northwest. The class consists of only percussionists. They play special pieces of music arranged for only percussion, where the melody, instead of being played by the wind instruments, is played by the mallet percussion. Percussion Ensemble is in its second year right now, and it is also its second year going to District Music Competition. Last year the Percussion Ensemble played the William Tell Overture and earned a Superior rating, which is the best rating you can receive. This year, the Percussion Ensemble played the March from Peter and the Wolf for District Music Competition, and received another superior rating this year.
Senior Connor Dennhardt says that he enjoys Percussion Ensemble because "It's the time of the day I can relax and just make music. I like being a role model and a teacher to others. I really like my solos the most." Connor is one of the best mallet percussion players in the class, so often, other classmates go to him to ask questions about notes and rhythms in their parts.
Connor and other members of the Percussion Ensemble also performed percussive solos at District Music. Connor performed a marimba solo and earned a Superior. Senior Bryce Kneeland performed a snare solo and earned an Excellent. Freshman Grant Gregory also performed a snare solo and earned an Excellent.
