BUENA PARK, CA – Buena Park School District’s new Percussion Program wowed audience members and judges at the Feb. 11 Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Regional Show with their “Left Brain/Right Brain” themed performance – earning them first place and a chance to qualify for the SCPA Championships.

The Percussion Program, which consists of 26 Buena Park Middle School students, competed against 33 other schools and independent drum groups at La Quinta High School in Westminster. After taking home first place, the team is set to compete in one more show to qualify for the SCPA Championship.

“Winning first place feels good because it feels like all the work that we’ve done resulted in that performance, which was our best yet,” said John C., eighth-grade marimba player. “I’ve already fallen in love with music and playing the marimba encourages me to keep going. This passion for music has kept me going for a long time and I just want to keep doing more.”

Buena Park Middle School’s Percussion Program, led by Band Director Dylan Locke, was formed at the start of the 2022-23 school year. The team began practicing its five-minute routine “Left Brain/Right Brain” in October 2022 during sixth-period classes and Wednesday nights. In addition to learning the music, the students also learned dance choreography.

“I am very proud of my students’ hard work that they got to demonstrate at this show – they got to see the fruits of their labor after months of rehearsals,” Locke said. “I’m honored to have such support from our District and community every time we do a show with the choir and band. It’s awesome to be in a District that wants a music program and is so enthralled by it.”

The Percussion Program will continue practicing, with its eyes set on a show on March 11 in Temecula and then the SCPA Championship Show on April 8 in Azuza.

“Congratulations to our young percussionists – you’ve made the Buena Park School District community so proud with your skills and determination,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “The creativity and passion in our Percussion Program, and performing arts program as a whole, is unparalleled. We have so much talent in our District and I’m glad that its being recognized.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

PERCUSSION1: Two Buena Park Middle School drummers play an assortment of drums and cymbals during a showcase of the Percussion Program’s “Left Brain/Right Brain” show, which won them first place at the Feb. 11 Southern California Percussion Alliance Regional Show.

PERCUSSION2: Buena Park Middle School’s Percussion Program won first place at the latest Southern California Percussion Alliance Regional Show and is currently preparing for a March 11 show and a Championship Show on April 8.