MHS Percussion Ensemble and Colorguard Start Season Strong

• Whiz Kids: The Malden High School Percussion Ensemble and Colorguard
• Whiz Kid's School: Malden High School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Placed second in their season debut last weekend. Won first place in their division at this year's New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Regional Competition last fall.
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: The Malden High School Percussion Ensemble and Colorguard have been going strong for close to a decade under the leadership of Matthew Tavares. In preparation for this year’s competitive season both groups have been rehearsing tirelessly up to 40 hours a week.
  
  Saturday, Feb. 26 marked the first performance by the Percussion Ensemble and Colorguard at the N.E.S.B.A., Dartmouth High School event. The Ensemble had an unbelievable start to a great indoor season, placing second in the show.
  
  Malden is currently ranked third in the circuit in the caption of Scholastic Marching World Class against perennial powerhouses Dartmouth (five-time world champion) and King Philip Regional High School (two-time world champion).
  
  “We achieved our best starting score in years with a 71.5,” commented Tavares. “Not an easy task within the genre of 'pop' music. I have great reason to count my blessing with these students. They have represented this school with great honor.”
  
  The Colorguard presented a program entitled “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” based on the book by Dr. Seuss as read by John Lithgow. Tavares remarked how he felt like a kid again watching the incredible heartwarming performance.
  
  “They were amazing and crowd pleasing all in one,” said Tavares. “Our guard staff, headed by Tracy Bolduc, did an unbelievable job of conceptualizing a brilliant show that had both overall appeal and content.”
  
  Malden Colorguard performs in the Guard Local Scholastic A Class. To view the complete winter schedule, go to www.nesba.org.