Throughout the Years:
Valley Independent Percussion
Overview
Valley Independent Percussion (VIP) has been competing since 2005. Beginning their first season with an insight into the 9th amendment, their show “Nine” was a big step in the right direction. Starting off in Bakersfield, California as an Independent “A” class group, they finished their season by becoming gold medalist at Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) with a limited amount of members. Since then, Valley Independent Percussion has made great strides to be where they are today, an Independent “Open” class indoor drum line that competes world-wide with 35-40 members ranging in age from fourteen to twenty-two. Aside from the indoor percussion season, Valley Independent Percussion also hosts its Summer Sessions for students in the San Joaquin Valley. These students range from budding percussionists to seasoned vets looking to develop and keep up their playing chops over the summer months.
Highlights
In 2005 VIP became Independent “Open” class champions at SCPA and Pep & Pageantry Arts Association of Central California (PPAACC).
Valley Independent Percussion has been undefeated in their local circuit, San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review (SJVCGPR), taking gold medals every year they have competed.
Since 2005 Valley Independent Percussion took a few more steps to success. For the 2006 season VIP expanded their instrumentation to include more students, going from two snares, one tenor and three bass drums to six snares, three tenors and five bass drums. This, with their additions to the front ensemble, tripled the size of VIP and allowed for many more members to join.
Valley Independent Percussion has been undefeated in their local circuit, San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review (SJVCGPR), taking gold medals every year they have competed.
Since 2005 Valley Independent Percussion took a few more steps to success. For the 2006 season VIP expanded their instrumentation to include more students, going from two snares, one tenor and three bass drums to six snares, three tenors and five bass drums. This, with their additions to the front ensemble, tripled the size of VIP and allowed for many more members to join.
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Along with these additions, VIP began to compete in the worldwide circuit of Winter Guard International (WGI). During their first show, VIP was promoted to Independent “Open” class and has continued in that competitive bracket since. In 2006 VIP also became silver medalists with SCPA.
In 2007 with “Electronic Ocean”, VIP were gold medalists while their newly created junior group Valley Independent Beginning Ensemble (VIBE) took bronze. In 2008 with their show “Pure Adrenaline”, Valley Independent Percussion made Finals at world championships with WGI for their first time. After taking the group to Dayton, Ohio the previous two years and missing the opportunity to march in finals by tenths of points, VIP was ecstatic to create this new record for the group and reach sixth place in the world while maintaining their gold-medal status with SCPA. |
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In 2009 VIP moved its organization to Tulare, California and began rebuilding.
In 2010 Valley Independent Percussion took the silver medal at SCPA with their show “If Only”.
In 2011 VIP presented their show “Unite” and became bronze medalists at SCPA.
In 2012, Valley Independent Percussion presented “Reflection: Looking into my past” and made it back into Finals at WGI world championships and placed tenth in the world.
In 2013, VIP’s show “From Pure to Evil” earned the group their highest score of 90.2375 and placed sixth in the entire world in in our class.
In 2014, Valley Independent Percussion presented "Let Go" which achieved a Bronze medal at the WGI world championships placing third in the world.
In 2015, VIP presented their show entitled "What Makes Us Great" earning us 9th place at WGI World Championship Finals
In 2016, Valley Independent Percussion took the gold medal at the new SVWAA Circuit with their presentation "Anything is Possible".
In 2010 Valley Independent Percussion took the silver medal at SCPA with their show “If Only”.
In 2011 VIP presented their show “Unite” and became bronze medalists at SCPA.
In 2012, Valley Independent Percussion presented “Reflection: Looking into my past” and made it back into Finals at WGI world championships and placed tenth in the world.
In 2013, VIP’s show “From Pure to Evil” earned the group their highest score of 90.2375 and placed sixth in the entire world in in our class.
In 2014, Valley Independent Percussion presented "Let Go" which achieved a Bronze medal at the WGI world championships placing third in the world.
In 2015, VIP presented their show entitled "What Makes Us Great" earning us 9th place at WGI World Championship Finals
In 2016, Valley Independent Percussion took the gold medal at the new SVWAA Circuit with their presentation "Anything is Possible".
In Our Communities
Valley Independent Percussion has had the opportunity to perform in several community events including Easter performances for Valley Bible Fellowship in Visalia, California at the Fox Theatre, the Bakersfield Christmas Parade, birthday parties and school events in our community.