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On Friday, Jan. 28, the Granite Hills High School percussion ensemble traveled to Clovis East High School for the first San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review (SJVCGPR) of the year.

“We are small, but we are beast,” said bass drum player, Andres “squeaks” Velasquez.

The show started with “Requiem for a Dream” by Clint Mansell, a very slow and mysterious song, followed by “Mortal Kombat” by Oliver Adams, a fast and upbeat song that is a perfect transition into the final song, “Borderline” by Chris Brooks, a fast and up tempo song that brings the show to an exciting finish.

“Oh you know. The drum line has beasted it up this year! They sound really good,” said senior Julissa Hernandez.

For it being the very first time that Granite competes in the SJVCGPR, they did a phenomenal job.  Granite Hills received fourth place out of six schools in Regional A class. They received a total of 54.25 points, only three points behind the third place school. The six schools in Regional A include, Mission Oak (first), Edison (second), Selma (third), Hoover (fifth), and Orosi (sixth).

“The fact that the percussion ensemble did so well at their very first competition, is a real confidence booster in the music department. It’s about time things started headed in the right direction for our band,” said junior Adilene Quintana

There are three different categories that are judged, performance analysis, general effect, and visual. Granite received a total of 103.0 in performance analysis, a 111.0 in general effect, and a 115.0 in visual.

“I was really excited to watch percussion ensemble compete and I thought they had an excellent performance. For being rookies, they have accomplished so much! To have beaten out schools who have done this before, in our first competition, is saying something. I am super proud of my students and all that they have achieved,” said Sassana Efseaff, Granite Hills band and choir director

Photo by Kelsey Blackburn