Aliso Niguel Students Tap Into Their Percussive Talents

Like a scene from the film Drumline, percussionists  outside Aliso Niguel High School snapped to attention. With a command from their leader, they began to play their drums. Inside the band room, students did the same with xylophones.

Practicing for their on-field competitons, these 17 dedicated students are members of the ANHS Pit and Battery. Pit refers to all percussion instruments, such as xylophones and synthesizers, that remain stationary on the field during a performance. Battery refers to the choreographed members of the group who move while playing percussion instruments.

ANHS Percussion Captain Head Vince Terusa grew up in a family of musicians. His sister and his brother both participated in Pit and Battery while he was a child. He became a member of the marching band during high school. Right after graduation, he began teaching other students in Pit and Battery groups. 

"The number one reason I do this is the students," said Terusa. "I love the students."

ANHS Pit Instructor Brian Dinkel also began in high school. He has worked with several Pit and Battery groups.

"I love everything about [Pit and Battery]. It's a lot of team building," Dinkel said. "It's the pursuit of perfection which stays with you in life whether you continue with music or not."

ANHS Xylophone players include: Magdalena Chau, Lauren Smith, Mitchell Nguyen, Holly Brennan and Caroline Fabricius. They are joined by Tori Jackson who plays the synthesizer.

ANHS Drummers are Evan Avillanoza, Stephen Morris, Joey Kablawi, Payvand Salari, Brandon Swan, Adam Spurlock, Andrew Strome, McKenzie Roch, Brayden Jones, Jon Barnard and Drew Bock.

Bock has been playing drums since the fifth grade. His favorite drummer is Danny Carey of the band Tool.

"Drumming is something I've always been good at and I enjoy it," Bock said.

Strome and Roch are incoming freshmen, but they are already practicing with the group. They and their fellow Pit and Battery members will attend a two-week band camp during the summer to prepare them for competitions.

In the autumn, the Drumline will join the marching band and perform during field competitions. Then in the spring and winter, Pit and Battery separates to form "Winter Drumline." During this season, they will compete in Drumline competitions.

Click here  to see an example of the their work.

Contact Vince Terusa, Brian Dinkel or ANHS Director of Bands David Weinberg, online.