69°
Stamford High School music teacher George Beratis plays jazz music, but he had never directed a percussion group before this school year. Despite his lack of experience, he and the schools Winter Percussion Band finished 10th at the WGI Percussion World Championships.
It was really cool, Beratis said of the competition held April 14 to 16 in Dayton, Ohio. It really sank in during the beginning of the national ceremony when the announcer said, The bands here are the best of the best.'"
Though Beratis does not have any experience with percussion groups, he combined his musical talents with his staff's percussion experience to help the students. You try to tell a story through percussion instruments, Beratis said, explaining the goal of a percussion band.
The group, which has been practicing three to four days a week since November, kept its focus through the finals. While in Dayton, the band practiced in the hotel parking lot, and Beratis said he found members using drum pads in their hotel rooms.
They had a goal and made sure they achieved it, Beratis said of the bands work ethic. It had a successful season, winning the MAC championship and the DWI Northtown Regional Championship before finishing 10th nationally. He admitted that he likes winning.
The band's success may be new to Beratis, but it is not new to Stamford High, which routinely competes at the national level. Stamfords always had a fantastic percussion group," he said.
Have your children received any awards or recognition? Send information and photos to reporter Anthony Buzzeo at tbuzzeo@mainstreetconnect.us, and your child will end up on TheDailyStamford.com.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
