Marion Harding High School’s indoor drumline placed first in its division recently at the Ohio Indoor Performance Association state championships held at Wapakoneta High School. The drumline’s percussion section was named division champion in the Percussion Independent A division on April 3, 2016.
The Connexus Winter Guard, made up predominantly of Harding students, placed fourth in its division.
“We are very happy and proud of the work they put in,” said Marion City Schools director of bands Jacob Hartman.
The percussion line is directed by Bill Etling and Esther Morris directs the color guard. While the indoor drumline is not an official Marion City Schools performance group, the school district acts as administrator for the groups.
Brock Petrie, a Harding senior, said he enjoyed the growth the drumline made throughout the season.
“It’s been a lot of hard work but a lot of fun,” he said.
Junior Thomas McCoy agreed.
“It’s really cool to have something physical to represent all we did this season,” he said about winning the division trophy.
Hartman said some of the students play different instruments in the drumline than they usually play during the school year.
“The beauty of the activity is they are able to develop some skills that will help them the rest of their lives through another instrument,” Yuji Jones, the district’s assistant band director, said.
He said what they learn and the professionalism they develop as part of the drumline influences how they rehearse and perform with Harding’s marching and concert bands as well.
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