Continuing Success: Yamaha & Winter Guard International
BUENA PARK, Calif. Yamaha has been involved in percussion in the United States for 25 years and an official Winter Guard International (WGI) sponsor since 2001. Recently, Yamaha participated in the 2009 WGI Indoor Percussion Championships, where 32% of the participating groups were using Yamaha marching percussion products and 75% used Yamaha pit products.
WGI is an organization that supports the competitive indoor marching activities of percussion and color guard. Known as "Sport of the Arts," WGI combines music, movement and props into a theatrical production. Founded in 1977, the organization originally supported indoor color guard only, with percussion being added in 1992. Since then, eight varying levels have been added to accommodate indoor percussion's rising popularity. At the 2009 WGI Championships, more performing ensembles were using Yamaha percussion products than any other brand.
The championships were also host to the Yamaha/WGI/ Dennis DeLucia Scholarship, which this year was given to Rebecca Wiggis. The aim of the scholarship is to recognize a deserving percussion student.
"WGI and Yamaha gave me the opportunity to become a true and experienced performer," said Wiggis. "I am proud to say that I am a part of WGI because it has improved my musicianship and has had positive influences on my life. This wouldn't have been possible without WGI and Yamaha."
Indoor Percussion has grown tremendously in the past 10 years. There are now 45 regional percussion circuits covering all parts of the country. It is estimated that there are over 1,400 performing ensembles with an estimated 45,000+ young people participating in the activity.
"This was a great year for the indoor percussion," said Troy Wollwage, Marketing Manager, Yamaha Percussion. "More kids are participating and more groups are coming to finals to compete. Additionally, more organizations are realizing the benefit of using Yamaha products. Performers have come to expect Yamaha's quality, value and dependability."
"At the end of the day, scores are not important," continues Wollwage. "What's important is allowing the young people to have the finest music instrument experience possible. At Yamaha we strive to succeed at that every day."
For more information on Yamaha, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, Wind Instruments, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.
 2009 marks the ten-year anniversary of Yamaha's support of WGI. |
The championships were also host to the Yamaha/WGI/ Dennis DeLucia Scholarship, which this year was given to Rebecca Wiggis. The aim of the scholarship is to recognize a deserving percussion student.
"WGI and Yamaha gave me the opportunity to become a true and experienced performer," said Wiggis. "I am proud to say that I am a part of WGI because it has improved my musicianship and has had positive influences on my life. This wouldn't have been possible without WGI and Yamaha."
Indoor Percussion has grown tremendously in the past 10 years. There are now 45 regional percussion circuits covering all parts of the country. It is estimated that there are over 1,400 performing ensembles with an estimated 45,000+ young people participating in the activity.
 Rebecca Wiggis receives the Yamaha/Dennis DeLucia Scholarship. |
"At the end of the day, scores are not important," continues Wollwage. "What's important is allowing the young people to have the finest music instrument experience possible. At Yamaha we strive to succeed at that every day."
For more information on Yamaha, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, Wind Instruments, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.