Redwood Winter Percussion’s Trip to Temecula!

From March 15th to 17th, Redwood’s Winter Percussion Ensemble traveled 7 hours to compete in the SCPA bracket in Temecula, California. Although they placed 7th, there were different kinds of victories within this competition.

By: Ella Chan

Unanimously, the group found this performance to be the best of their season. Although not perfect, this show was the cleanest they’ve played and battery performed their visuals strongly. The group scored a 78, but excluding the time penalty they would’ve gotten a score of 81, technically passing two other groups.

They also got a chance to watch the World Class winter percussion ensembles at the event.

Snare drum player Johnny Grove, ‘26, was proud of the scores and found it was a lot better than he thought it would’ve been.

Grove says, “Visuals, at least for battery [could use improvement]. For pit, I think just hitting the right notes, staying in time.” Nonetheless, “The cleanliness in what we were playing was a lot better. I think pit and battery were a lot better together.”

Grove says, “I know battery had a good run, we played clean, visuals were pretty good. I don’t know about front ensemble, I’m almost sure they had a good run though from what I heard.”

Similarly, tom drum player Justin Estrada, ‘27, found that, “This is probably one of the best runs we ever had. Individually, I could’ve done a little better; I let the nerves get to me, but this was one of my best runs as well.” He goes on to say how proud he was of his playing throughout this performance, along with the way he presented the visuals.

“I was really satisfied with myself, and I did it really enthusiastically,” Estrada says. Nevertheless he acknowledges, “What needs improvement is nerves just not getting to me, just calming down.”

Alongside Estrada, fellow tom drum player Izaiah Oviedo, ‘28, keeps in mind, “there were a few mistakes, and that’s good because usually there’s a lot of mistakes. And individually, I did pretty good.”

Both Estrada and Oviedo applaud the ensemble’s enthusiasm maintained during their show this time around. “People actually performed on this one, like rather than having a straight bland face, being boring. I saw a lot of smiles,” Oviedo says.

Marimba player Nicholas ‘Nick’ Ramirez, ‘25, says, “We had high hopes. It felt more grand, it felt like we were working for something better than what we were used to, so we pushed ourselves to reach it. We had a higher standard for it. And maybe we got a day of rest for once, and we did good.” He positively adds this was once of his best runs of the show, despite the slight hiccup in the beginning of their performance.

Estrada adds onto this, “The energy everyone brought to this, like everyone was really hyped before and after. Everyone was just really happy about it and proud.” One of Estrada’s favorite moments about this performance were the big impacts. “Everyone was really hyped about it,” Estrada says.

“It was pretty cool, I’m glad we came out to Temecula and I’m glad that we performed there,” Grove says.

Ramirez shares, “I felt like it was very different. I don’t know if it was just like how we set up, how limited time there was, and maybe it was just the heat getting to us but it felt different.” This was nothing but a positive experience for all of the members.

Along with Ramirez, bass drum player Brycen Gonzalez ‘25 believed that the performance was ‘next level.’ Performing in Temecula, far from what the ensemble is used to in their local brackets especially, stood out.

“I’m proud of the fact that we were able to just go to this place. It’s very new, I would’ve never imagined doing this my freshman year. It’s just amazing to see our growth,” Ramirez says.

Estrada admits, “I had mixed feelings about it [coming out to Temecula]. I didn’t know if I wanted to be on a trip. But after performing, and after spending time with all my friends in the percussion, I’m really happy that I went on it, had this experience.”

“This one was probably our best one because we had a bunch of motivation, being there motivated us,” Gonzalez says.

Another big motivator for the group was their show was finally finished. Even though they had stuff to work on, they played through the whole show written for them.

Oviedo points out, “It was way better than all the other ones. It was cleaner, there was better energy, and we have a full show now.”

Even though their trip may not have been the most victorious on paper, the members are without a doubt ecstatic about their performance. Regardless of their placement. They were able to learn from the experience and can continue to grow.

“It felt nice, no other school in the valley does this. It’s a good experience,” Oviedo says.

What Were Their Favorite Parts?

“About the performance, I think my favorite part was I did good! I think that’s what’s important to me. And then about the trip in general, I think seeing all the big groups like RCC and Pulse [Percussion] was really awesome. I’m glad I got to see them,” Grove says. “Also staying up ‘till 4 A.M. in the hotel room!”

“It’s definitely a really good highlight. It’s something really different from what we’re used to. It was exciting!” Ramirez says. Gonzalez adds on, “It was one of my best trips.”

Ramirez continues, “I really liked watching the other bands perform because this was my first time watching those world [class] groups perform. And that was really cool!” Gonzalez describes the all the performances as ones that gave him goosebumps.

“I saw the goosebumps!” Ramirez laughs.

Estrada admits, “I didn’t know what to expect, but after experiencing it I want to do it again.” His and Oviedo’s favorite part about the trip was joking around with friends in the hotel.

The trip was not only a way to show what the ensemble can do, but they managed to have fun with one another. Gonzalez mentions the board games, murder mysteries, and other memories they all got to make together throughout this 3 day trip.

Overall this trip to Temecula was not only a great way for the Redwoods Winter Percussion Ensemble to get out of the Valley and show what they could do, but a way for them to grow closer together as a group.

Both Gonzalez and Ramirez are seniors, and this trip rather bittersweet for them. Gonzalez opens up about the realization of this being their last big trip, “I was really sad. I thought about it in the hotel. Like all the memories we’ve built up, all 4 years for us, we won’t be able to make more. Trip wise.”

Hearing Gonzalez bring up this fact, Ramirez says, “I have not thought about that… now I’m getting sad thinking about that!”

Want to watch the performance? Click here

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