Passion, dedication, perseverance: These three words are the trifecta to any successful performance unit.

On January 24th, Bob Jones hosted the MadTown Indoor Throwdown, a SCGC drumline and winterguard competition. Enrolled in the event were our very own drumline and winterguard groups, both of which took home Gold.

Assistant Band Director Leigh Thomas feels both of the groups had “very solid first performances.” Getting to this level, however, takes a level of commitment that many are unable to fathom unless they participate in the units themselves. As the winterguard instructor Brook Howe says, “All success comes from preparation.”

During a performance, the members of these groups must not only gain the judge’s approval, but they must also find a way to pull the audience into the action.

The drumline’s show this year is titled “One Way or Another,” which shows exactly as the name implies. With dramatic movements accompanied by their original music, the group offers the onlooker a lively experience. Davis Matheney, bassline member, feels their show is “a refreshing contrast to what most groups put on every year.”

Following them in the event was the winterguard’s show “Playing with Time.” The show focuses on the time continuum itself and how the perception of time can be slowed down, sped up, or stopped. The theatrical abilities the performers possess lure the audience into the show, making them feel as if they too are on a wild path through time’s manipulations. Hanna Barnett, junior, experienced “excitement” as she watched the winterguard’s performance. During the big flag hit, Barnett was filled with chills and “knew they deserved to win.”

Both groups have worked feverishly to get their shows at the best quality possible, and their performances will only go up from here. Their success has left high hopes with their supporters for the season ahead. In regards to Saturday, Jonathan Beavers, a drumline instructor, says “for young kids to go out and do a show after never having done it before, they did very well” and the “drumline will continue to compete at a very high level.” Howe has high expectations for the winterguard as well: “As long as we keep up our momentum and continue to work hard, we should be very competitive this season.”

Though their first shows topped of the charts at MadTown, the two groups still have work to do before championships this year.  Thomas speaks of the upcoming future for drumline. “I think we will do really well. The judges really liked the show and said the performers were on the right track. We just have to finish it and make minor adjustments, and we should be pretty good.”

Beaver’s end goal for the unit is “to make final in open class in Dayton,” along with for the members to “get everything they want out of this season.”

Howe’s goals are not too far behind this for the winterguard: “My main goal for the season is to move up at least one competitive class and to remain competitive in a higher class. I think we have just as much of a chance to win at championships this year as we did last year, but we would have to work twice as hard in a higher class.”

Though this was just the first competition in a long chain of events, both have the potential of claiming Gold at championships as the season progresses. Success is every performer’s goal, and as for the drumline and winterguard, it all started with throwing down at MadTown.