CVUSD HOMEThe judges were absolutely floored by the performance given by the Townsend JHS drumline ensemble during the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Percussion Scholastic Junior (PSJ) Finals that was held on April 6th, 2024, in the Coussoulis Arena at CSU San Bernardino. The Rangers marched in with their “Rise and Grind” performance, which was a showstopper during the 2023-2024 SCPA competitive circuit and earned their highest score in Townsend history: 95.775! The performance not only won the Rangers the gold medal, but for the first time in 14 years, Townsend performers can call themselves SCPA PSJ State Champions!
The grind to glory started way back at the beginning of the school year as eager drumline students attended summer and fall school clinics. Students received their custom written show music, “Rise and Grind,” in late November that would be the centerpiece for the SCPA competitive circuit. With the support and training from Band Director Anne Rutt and highly skilled drumline coaches, two of whom are former Townsend drumline students, the Rangers honed their skills and nailed down their choreography to give themselves a competitive edge.
“This year's success in winning the gold with the highest score in Townsend's history really comes down to the coaches being incredibly invested and dedicated to the success of the students, the students having a great work ethic that they hold themselves to, and the generous support of the parents,” Ms. Rutt shared. “At the end of the day, the students love drumline, and it shows. I couldn’t be more proud of the kids and my staff; it has truly been a remarkable year.”
Rise and Grind is a joy to listen to and watch as the creative use of coffee props and great choreography blend with whimsical percussion melodies. The show starts with the front ensemble awakening the slumbering battery unit drummers who scurry for that first cup of coffee to power their drumming. The drumline grinds through with a dazzling display of talent and skill until, suddenly, that dreaded movement of no more coffee leaves the group crawling on the ground clamoring for more. A giant coffee cup emerges to energize the musicians and the song caps off with a climactic finish and “Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!” chant.
Congratulations, Rangers on your memorable show and championship win! Families and the CVUSD community can catch their performance during the District Indoor Drumline Showcase happening on April 24th, 2024, at Chino High School.
