Spartan Drumline places high in championships

Weeks of rehearsal that began in December paid off for the La Cañada High School Winter Drumline, which in mid-April captured ninth place in the Percussion A Class at the 2014 Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Prior to their success in Ohio, the group on April 5 placed fourth in the Southern California Percussion Alliance Competition.

The drumline is led by Bradley Rancourt, with assistance from Michelle Rancourt and Sean Knuth.

“Each year the winter percussion program is committed to achieving the highest level of excellence in music and performance. It makes me so proud to say that each year the percussion program gets better and better. 2014 was our most competitive year to date and I can’t wait to see what next year will bring,” said Rancourt, in a statement.

The LCHS group was the only California drumline in its division to qualify for the finals competition. Twenty-five La Cañada students participated and their program was rated on general effect, performance and visual effect.

The Spartans 2014 show, titled, “The Journey Home,” incorporated Radiohead songs “Airbag,” “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” and “(Nice Dream).” The show portrayed a couple’s attempt to make their way home during a blizzard.

-- Carol Cormaci, carol.cormaci@latimes.com

Follow on Twitter: @CarolCormaci.

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