WGI Events and COVID-19

originally posted by WGI.org. See original statement here.

With our announcement of the cancellation of the WGI World Championships, questions about remaining events for the year have naturally arisen. On March 12, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to suspend all other events for the remainder of the 2020 season.

After reviewing the social distancing recommendations of the CDC, WHO, as well as local health officials in the communities hosting these events, we reiterate our priority is, and always has been the health and well-being of all those in our organization.

WGI will offer all groups registered for any impacted event a credit to be used towards any 2021 event entry fee, or a full refund upon request. We ask for patience as we sort out the myriad of details from these decisions announced today.

Every day, as WGI works to bring experiences to young people that will last a lifetime, we are reminded of the power of imagination to break through even the hardest moments. Once again, we undeniably state our commitment to continue our mission to provide a venue for young people to achieve the extraordinary through performance and competition.

We wish everyone continued good health and thank you for your attention and vigilance.

WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS STATEMENT

At the direction of Dayton & Montgomery County Public Health, and in consultation with the Ohio Department of Health, and Governor DeWine, WGI Sport of the Arts is canceling the 2020 WGI World Championships for Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds.

The numbers involved in an event of this magnitude urge caution in light of recent national and international health concerns. Over nine days of competition, groups from 41 states and five countries would travel with over 16,000 participants.

While we are deeply saddened to cancel these prestigious events, our priority is, and always has been the health and well-being of all those involved with our organization.

Creating opportunities for young people is the foundation of WGI. The world championships are the culmination of a competitive season and this will mark the first time in 43 years this tradition of excellence will be interrupted by an unprecedented situation.

We are grateful for the support and guidance of Dayton & Montgomery County Public Health as well as Greene, Hamilton, and Campbell counties in arriving at a decision in the best interest of all parties.

Although it’s true the 2020 WGI World Championships will not take place as we hoped, WGI as an organization will continue our mission – to provide a venue for young people to achieve the extraordinary through performance and competition.

Over the coming weeks WGI will be working to untangle the complexities of this situation and we appreciate your patience and understanding. More information on WGI Regionals will be forthcoming.

Regarding Refunds:

Entry fees – WGI will offer all groups registered for the 2020 World Championships a credit to be used towards any 2021 event entry fee, or a full refund issued upon request.

Backside ticket orders – Full refunds will be processed within the next 30 days and/or those invoices will be voided if currently unpaid.

WGI organized practice facilities – Full refunds will be processed within the next 30 days and/or those invoices will be voided if currently unpaid.

All spectator tickets – We will be announcing refund plans within the next 48 hours.

CDC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS

The CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures. These measures include:

•  Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus.

•  Wash your hands and do so frequently especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Use regular soap and water and sing Happy Birthday (to yourself) while you wash. This will take approximately 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available/convenient, use an alcohol-based gel in its place. To be effective, the alcohol content should be 60% or higher.

•  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are displaying symptoms.

•  When leaving the restroom, use a paper towel or tissue when reaching for the door handle. Dispose of immediately.

•  When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth AND nose with a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer with >60% alcohol content. If a tissue is not available, sneeze or cough into a flexed elbow.

•  When talking with people, keep some distance. Keep at least one arms distance between you and other people, especially if they are sneezing and/or coughing.

•  Eat smart to maintain your strength.

•  Sleep is important – plan your schedules accordingly.

•  Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects such as performance equipment, instruments, props, and tarps with sanitizing wipes.

•  Avoid handshakes or hugs. Consider a head nod or elbow bump (not a fist bump).

I got cut, what’s next?

Auditions are almost here. You’ve been practicing hard, but you’re not quite sure if you’ll make the line or not. You want this so bad, but there’s a ton of other people auditioning for the same spot. High stakes in such a fickle game. So what do you do if you get cut? Here’s 5 tips to help you after you’ve been cut:

Be Gracious

Often times rejection can cut deep into the soul, leaving us feeling empty & hopeless. This feeling can easily turn into anger or aggression, which is the absolute wrong way to handle being cut. When you leave the room, thank the instructor for the opportunity and exit the building graciously. This leaves a more lasting impression than one might think. Don’t leave like a crazed American Idol contestant, spewing insults at the judges as you are herded towards the door. Not a good look. In the event that someone drops out on their own, do you think they’re going to call the guy that cursed them out or the guy that thanked them for the experience? You also may run into the people in that room later down the road, burn no bridges.

Take Time to Decompress

As stated in the latter, rejection hurts. It’s a good idea to take some time after the audition to yourself, to reflect & meditate. This will help you avoid lashing out at others or just giving up on your dreams. While being cut is an awful feeling, it does happen, it’s a natural part of our process. Always remember that it’s not personal.

Review Your Audition

If you want to get better, you need to know exactly what you did wrong. Do not ask the instructor that auditioned you immediately following the audition. This can come off as annoying or as if you are questioning their judgement. It’s best to wait a few weeks or find another instructor/leader that was a bystander (they have insight into the organization and will know what’s going on). Always make sure you approach an instructor with respect and kindness, no one likes a rude player. Doing this, if done the correct way, can also earn you some much needed brownie points because it let’s the instructors know that you care about improving. If you cannot get a response or do not feel comfortable speaking with an instructor, go over your audition in your mind as soon as you get home, trying to remember every detail. You may start to remember things that you did not initially notice in the moment, which can also be helpful.

Get Help

Simply reviewing is not enough. Putting these new skills/ideas into practice is the only way to improve. Seek out an expert first; a band teacher, private instructor, or professional drummer. If no one is available, look to a friend that knows a bit more than you do; a section leader, alumni, or someone marching in a higher classification. In the event that you have nowhere else to turn, YouTube tutorials are also a great option. Be consistent in obtaining help and putting what you are learning to use, practicing on the days that you do not have lessons is always suggested.

Prepare for the Next Audition

You went through it once already, so you know exactly what this particular organization expects. Use this knowledge to your advantage. Begin preparing at least 4 weeks in advance, drawing on your previous experience. Keep in mind that technique, sound quality, and reading come into play in almost every audition worldwide. Focus on using the preferred technique, producing a consistent sound, and having adequate reading skills, among any other skills that the organization may expect.

Obviously, just like the last audition, a spot is not a guarantee. However, if you’ve followed all of these steps, you have drastically increased your chances of making it. Believe in yourself and happy auditioning!

Basic Drum Rudiments

This fundamental rudiment sheet lists 16 basic snare drum rudiments that every young percussionist should learn. Also, it breaks down how stroke rolls can be counted easily. Whether a 5-stroke or 17-stroke, once you get the hang of this method, counting strokes for your rolls will be effortless. Use this sheet in your daily rudimentary practice. Rudiments should be practiced in an open-close-open format that is meant for increasing speed without sacrificing accuracy. When practicing outside of the open-close-open format, be sure to use a metronome in order to gain a better understanding of the timing that goes along with each rudiment. Happy practicing.

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