The Night of Percussion is a percussion concert held during winter that brings middle school and high school students together to perform pieces that they have been working on at school. This event showcases a variety of bands, including wind, symphonic, and drumline, and gives students a chance to demonstrate their work. This year, Wadsworth High School hosted the Night of Percussion on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The event was held in the auditorium at Wadsworth High School and had no cost to enter. 

Among the performers is high school freshman student Alexandria Lilly, who is participating in both the symphonic band and drumline for the first time.

“We started preparing a month or two ago,” Lilly said. “We did not practice as much at first, but after the holiday concert, we really started to nail it in.”

In order to ensure everything runs smoothly, all students participating in the Night of Percussion are required to stay after school on Wednesday before their performance for a stage rehearsal. The preparation involves running certain instruments, going over orders and practicing their pieces.

Band director Ryun Louie has played a significant role in organizing and preparing for the event. He teaches percussion and is often in the school every Wednesday.

The Night of Percussion has a traditional format that has remained consistent over the years, songs have been changed out for something new. 

Jeremiah Workman, a sophomore at Wadsworth, has been participating in the Night of Percussion since 7th grade.

“My favorite part of the Night of Percussion is the Table Scene,” Workman said. 

The Table Scene, as Workman describes, adds a humorous and theatrical element to the evening. It features a group of percussion members portraying a scene in a restaurant with terrible service and food, where the waiter clearly does not care.

The Night of Percussion often also requires students to learn new skills specific to their group’s performance. For instance, the symphonic band has been working on a piece that involves playing a song on buckets instead of traditional percussion instruments. Which requires students to learn a new skill.

During a typical class leading up to the night, students practice in class.

“Usually, we practice in our groups during class,” Workman said. “We have to learn our specific parts and are not really required to learn other people’s parts.” 

The Night of Percussion lets students showcase their work, giving them a chance to display their talents and entertain their community.