After much deliberation and following an extremely successful 2019 season, a decision has been made: it is time for Unity Percussion to move on UP to the open class.

This decision was made with eyes to the future and in consideration of the growth we’ve seen in such a short time. We bring with us a resume of success: 4 PIA Finals appearances and 3 consecutive WGI medal placements, culminating in a Gold medal and record-setting performance at the 2019 WGI PIA Championships. All in four short years of existence.

We are excited to be taking this next step in our organization’s history and look forward to continuing to offer the unique programs and educational opportunities that has set Unity apart since the beginning.

UNITY PERCUSSION (GOLD MEDAL – 96.150)

Using Billy Joel’s iconic song as a starting point, Unity Percussion (FL) (Gold Medal – 96.150) had the crowd eating out their hands in “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.” Set in an eatery on a red brick floor with tables, a bar, and outdoor café, the line had a blast performing a highly accessible program. An especially crowd-pleasing surprise had a bass feature on red and white table cloths….which actually covered drums and not tables. From dancing waiters, girls tossing pizza dough, happy men singing “That’s Amore” at the bar during Happy Hour, to the appearance of The Godfather, the show had something for the pizza lover in all of us!

Here is the original article:

https://wgi.org/wgi2019-perc-unity-percussion-serves-up-a-taste-of-italy-for-pia-gold/

First Place Tastes Like Pizza

By Camille Graham

To some, the idea of performers and percussionists dancing around bass drums covered in checkered tablecloths and throwing pizza in the air might seem absurd.

However, to Jeremy Lee and Unity Percussion, the idea was a ticket to the winner’s podium. On April 13, the indoor percussion group, made up of young adult performers from north central Florida, won first place at the annual Winter Guard International Worlds Competition.

Unity Percussion’s performance, “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant,” received a 96.15 out of 100 points, the highest score in the percussion division since it was included in A Class, the division Unity Percussion competes in, 19 years ago. The group traveled to Dayton, Ohio, for the six-minute performance.

Unity competed against 15 other groups hailing from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Inspired by a pizza-tossing competition a group member saw on TV, the performance featured a full-sized bar, an orange “brick” floor, and a rousing rendition of Dean Martin’s “That’s Amoré.” Unity Percussion director Lee suspects that the ingenuity of the performance made them an “undeniable” contender for first place.

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In The Spotlight with Bernardo Morado

My name is Bernardo Morado and I’m from Lake Placid, Florida. I have played snare for the last 5 years.  I’ve previously marched at Lake Placid HS for 4 years, Sebring Indoor for 2 years, and Royalty Percussion in 17’! I’m currently transferring to UCF after receiving my AA in Business Administration from South FL State College. I love drumming, watching movies, and watching basketball when I’m not drumming! (Go Celtics!) This is my first year with Unity Percussion and I am marching on the snare line.

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