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The Everett High School Percussion Ensemble was recognized during Monday’s School Committee meeting at Everett High School for competing at Nationals against 26 schools, moving on to Regionals and competing for the National World Championship later this month in Ohio.
According to Percussion Ensemble Director Mark Sachetta, they will have three performances, competing against 42 schools. The ensemble also placed first against Salem, N.H., in the finals recently in New Jersey. They will have a send-off on April 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.
The last New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Championship was in 2019. The last time Everett was a Winter Guard International (WGI) Finalist was in 2005. NESBA is the local circuit, where the ensemble just competed in Dartmouth this past weekend to win the championship. WGI is the national circuit, where students competed at the show in New Jersey and will continue on to travel to Dayton, Ohio, for the World Championships event.
“We’re over the moon,” Sachetta said outside of the School Committee meeting on Monday night. “It’s dreamlike.”
Pit Captain and Bass Guitarist Kathleen De Souza, who is in her fourth year, said it’s surreal. “I was motivated to join when they won the National World Championship in 2019,” De Souza said. “My ultimate goal was to do what they did.”
De Souza added that the percussionists include spoken word and voice-overs that convey a story of redemption. She said part of their secret was to take the judges’ advice and retain that information.
Bass Line and Section Leader Sicari Shand, who is in her fifth year, said she’s proud and grateful for the opportunity. Shand said the secret is practicing, working hard and retaining information. “I was surprised that we placed first, but I knew we could do it,” Shand said.
Senior Drum Section/Battery Leader Kim Herrera, who is in her fifth year, said they’ve come a long way. The 40-person ensemble practices three times a week, according to Herrera.
During the meeting, School Committee Chairperson Michael Mangan wished the ensemble nothing but the best of luck. “Thank you to you each and every one of you,” Mangan said. “On the School Committee side, we’re making a significant investment, such as money for travel.”
Mayor Carlo DeMaria said he’s proud of each of them and apologized that he hasn’t been to many competitions. “I stay in touch with your music director and your senator on a daily basis,” DeMaria said. “We supported you, and your parents, since you’ve been in kindergarten.”
DeMaria said he lives off Elm Street and he hears them performing beautifully at Rivergreen Park in the summertime.
School Committee Vice Chairperson Michael McLaughlin said he’s seen the percussion ensemble perform multiple times on major and local stages. “So many times, you may not think it’s not noticeable, but it is very much noticeable,” McLaughlin said. “I was there yesterday in Dartmouth, which earned a 92.2 percent rating – that’s remarkable.”
Like DeMaria, he also hears students perform at Rivergreen Park.
“Those other groups want to be where you guys are,” McLaughlin said. “You guys brought home victory yesterday.”
School Committee Member-At-Large Samantha Lambert said this year’s performance is beautiful. “No matter what happens in Dayton, you already won because of the community you built,” Lambert said. “I want everyone to see it – I shared the performance so many times.”
State Senator Sal DiDomenico, whose son, Sal, is part of the ensemble, helped them to purchase a bus. Many parents asked the School Committee for additional support during public comment.
Music and Band Director Gene O’Brien, in an emotional statement, said these kids are awesome and thanked School Committee members for their support. O’Brien said they haven’t performed past a 90 percent rating in years. “They have won several championships,” O’Brien said. “They’re currently ranked number one in the United States of America – on to Dayton, Ohio.”
