In Review: WGI World Championships

Another exciting WGI season has come and gone.  The STRYKE organization had four ensembles hit the road to Dayton, OH to compete in the 2016 WGI World Championships!

SWG performing in Prelims at the Dayton Convention Center

STRYKE’s WGI Championships began with the newly formed STRYKE Winterguard competing at the WGI Championships for the first time ever.  It's easy to say they had the time of their life as they performed their show "The Lonely Road" in the WGI Championship events and experienced the activity from a national/international level.  Though they didn't qualify into Semifinals, the Directors and staff were extremely proud of what this group was able to accomplish in its inaugural season.  The STRYKE and PAC organization is thrilled to have this ensemble represent them in the WGI Colorguard segment of the activity.  The future looks bright for STRYKE Winterguard and the members can't wait for the next season to start!

SPW rehearsing at the Hara Arena on Tuesday night

As the Winterguard Championship week concluded, the Percussion and Winds Championship week was just getting started.  STRYKE Percussion (SPW), STRYKE Percussion 2 (SP2) and STRYKE Wynds (SW) all hit the road to Dayton with focus and determination.  STRYKE Percussion arrived to Dayton on Tuesday and went straight to work at the Hara Arena.  They worked extremely hard as they prepared for their Prelims performance of their show “Only One” on Thursday at the University of Dayton Arena.  SPW advanced in to Semifinals but did not qualify for the PIW Finals.  The Ensemble Director, David Yunis, addressed the group that night following the news.

"We sometimes forget that the 'competition' is the medium of this activity but what we get out of this is more than a placement and a score.  After the years go by, no one will remember your show or score, but the moments and memories you created with each other will personally last you a lifetime.  Now, more than ever, you will know what it means to be part of the STRYKE Family."

SPW learned a valuable lesson on Friday.  They held their chin up high and rallied behind their brothers and sisters actively helping and cheering on SP2 as they watched them perform in the PIA Finals and then Saturday doing the same with SW in their Winds Prelims.

SP2 taking photos after earning Gold and Fan Favorite in PIA. 

STRYKE Percussion 2 entered the 2016 WGI season in its inaugural year with high hopes.  They began their WGI Championships with a Prelim performance on Thursday afternoon in Millett Hall at Miami University.  The energy ran high and the ensemble had a strong performance of their show "Red" which not only resulted in a first place finish, but qualified them for Finals.  On Friday night they prepared for their final performance of the season in the University of Dayton arena.  As the curtain pulled back, SP2 was greeted with howls and cheers from their brothers and sisters of SPW and SW. The 'wolf pack' put on their best performance of the season keeping them on top of the PIA classification and earned them a first place finish.  SP2 is the first ensemble in the STRYKE organization to capture the gold; in addition to first place, they were also voted the 2016 Fan Favorite of the PIA division.

But wait….....it’s not over yet!

SW taking photos after earning Gold and Fan Favorite in WIO. 

The week continued with STRYKE Wynds' Prelims performance on Saturday at the Nutter Center at Wright State University.  The ensemble was calm and cool and took control of the floor with their performance of "DéjàVu".  They took a commanding lead placing them in 1st place.  The scenario was no different on Sunday at the UD Arena as they ended in 1st place in the WIO classification and also captured the 2016 Fan Favorite in the Independent Winds category.  Some people can say that STRYKE experienced "Déjà vu" as both ensembles earned gold medal placements and their respective Fan Favorites.  Get it?

Overall, we are extremely proud and humbled as all four of our ensembles represented the growth of the South Florida community in all three areas (Colorguard, Percussion and Winds).  We can't wait to see what the future holds for these ensembles and the South Florida community!

STRYKE would like to thank and congratulate all the ensembles that performed in the WGI World Championships this year.  The activity and community continues to grow stronger and we are proud to be a part of it!  We would also like to thank WGI for putting together one of the best performance experiences possible.

Thank you to all our sponsors and partners that made this season incredible for all four of our groups.  And a special thank you to all the parents, staff, volunteers and donors that contributed to the success of this organization.  Without you, this season would not have been possible.

Now that the WGI season is over, be on the lookout for the MFC Drumline at the Miami FC games during their upcoming soccer season and also be on the lookout for our Annual STRYKE Summer Camp date(s) that will be announced soon!