OMHS percussion ensemble place first at competition

Last month two of Oak Mountain High School’s Chamber Percussion Ensembles competed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The competition was composed of top high school bands all over the world.  

This competition requires students to play high-level chamber percussion literature with up to six members without a conductor. The Oak Mountain Percussion Ensemble I performed Escape Velocity by Dave Hall and Ogoun Badagris by Christopher Rouse. Percussion Ensemble II performed Breakdown by Bradley Slayter.

Both of the Oak Mountain Percussion Ensembles had superior performances and received many positive comments from the judges. Percussion Ensemble I came in first place overall in the competition.  

Amelia Enix, Everett Clemons, Sam Williams, Yuri Takayama  and Joseph Wendel made up the ensemble I, and

Sullivan Smith, Jacob Nelson, Mason Stevens and Chris Tanahey comprised ensemble II.  

Oak Mountain High School has over 30 percussion students in the various bands and two full time Chamber Percussion Ensembles. They are all under the direction of Kevin Ownby, who serves as our percussion specialist as well as director of bands.