A lot of folks may wonder: what does the Pride of Salem’s Colorguard and Percussion Theater do with the extra time after football season and outdoor marching competitions are over? Just like in the fall, they bring medals and awards home! Keep reading for a report on the Winterguard’s and the Percussion Theater’s season by (and photos courtesy of) Band Director Jim Paxton:

The Salem High School Winter guard and Salem Percussion Theater completed their season in Northern Virginia at the Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) Championship held at both Potomac and C.D. Hylton High Schools. This concludes a three month season beginning in January, and involved traveling to competitions in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

2009 Winterguard

The Salem Winter guard was named Bronze medalists in the Scholastic Regional A class with their third place finish this past weekend, March 28 – 29. Performing their show – “Wade in the Water” (music by Eva Cassidy) – they placed fifth and third in their first two contests. T(hey placed first in their last two contests preceding the championships.) Their class was one of the most competitive in AIA, with over 30 groups participating in the championships. Members include: from Salem High School – Jameela Christian, Kelsey Wade, Kimi Bailey and Kelly Woolwine; and from Andrew Lewis Middle School – Kallie Altis, Jami Clark, Desirae Clark, Morgan Hartman, Erin Hazard and Hannah Wright. Of these ten students, only two had previous indoor experience, and the six eighth graders were new. Their Director is David Dickerson, and the assistant instructors are Lisa Rose and Megan Carr.

2009 Percussion Theater

 The Salem Percussion Theater finished in seventh place in the largest percussion class in AIA. They placed third in their two previous contests held and were consistently complimented by the judges throughout their season. Members include: Emily Bixel, Lauren Browning, Tim Elting, Alex Bixel, Johnny Stoughton, Skyler Pierre, Calvin Padgett, Karah Huff, Amanda Kegley, Storm Frazier, Lucas Chaplin, Sarah Huff, Rebecca Hammond, Tiffany Schara, Logan Woolwine, Kody Shepperd, Thomas Petersen, Ryan Koon, John Guidry, Marisa McKnew, Evan Hill, Nick Cooper and Sierra Lewis. Their Director is Ben Newsome, assisted by Connor McBroom and Band Director Jim Paxton. Their show – “The Shapes and Sounds of Music” – was written by Newsome.

The Salem High School Band is busy preparing for its annual spring program – Opus – which will be held at SHS on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. The show begins at 8 p.m. with pre-concert performances by the ALMS bands at 7:25 p.m.