Moritz Life

Andrew is very actively involved in music at school, including choir and, more recently, band. This past weekend I had the opportunity to accompany him and the winter percussion band as a chaperone as they went to a regional championship in Union City, CA (in the San Francisco bay area).

 

Winter Percussion is a highly competitive, very demanding form of band. The Hanford High band (one of the best in the region) is comprised of 30+ kids who have been practising tirelessly since Christmas (over 6 hours per week), all for a presentation that lasts about only 5 minutes. It is highly complex for several reasons: Not only do they have to be rhythmically and musically sound, there is also a significant amount of choreography. And, when they enter the gymnasium they have to set up in only just 2-3 minutes, and that includes laying down a large mat, bringing in many large stationery instruments, and making all electrical and sound connections. (PHOTO LINK). All this setup after carrying and pushing these instruments by hand for over two blocks to the presentation center. 

 

Andrew plays the largest bass drum in the drumline.

 

They finished fourth this weekend.