WGI 2014: Dartmouth High School - In The Lot

Vic Firth presents Dartmouth High School In The Lot at the 2014 WGI World Championships!
For more clips of WGI World Class ensembles, visit:
www.vicfirth.com/features/wgi/
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[@Steven_Petrey]

Question 1: How much their friends at their school made fun of them for their costumes. Question 2: How cool were they when they won.

[@JQuoix]

The entire time I watched this, I had to constantly remind myself that these were high school students

[@thisistides97]

and their center quad made the cadets quadline this year.

[@caseychoi9775]

MERSKIIIII

[@tomvieiramusic]

I love how the only thing people can point out about Dartmouth is the fact that the snares play matched. After a season like this I don't think they have much reason to change anything.

[@AliDuksta]

+Tom I completely agree!

[@keithpittmandrummer3719]

Tom thank you! I was trying gold jacketed snare drum for this year and I hate when people criticize the fact that we play matched grip. It makes no difference.

[@keithpittmandrummer3719]

Playing*

[@cesar27cm]

I would point out on how extra they are with “uniforms”

[@gabe_8997]

my school plays matched

[@jingo587]

I know everyone here in the comments section is all hyped about the drums, and the matched grip and all, but I gotta say... That front ensemble was absolutely incredible.

[@OffHurricaneMusic]

eh, i wasnt a fan of the pit

[@jingo587]

OfficialHurricaneMusic Better than my school's, at least. 86 kids and only 6 in the front ensemble.

[@ethanlyons5741]

I remember at the competitions they legit were only allowed to speak french to anyone who tried to talk to them, i was like wow, that's pretty fuckin hardcore

[@supermcnasty1o520]

+Joshua Maitoza was it Will?

[@bcas99]

Most I ever got from one of them at a show was a peace sign back

[@thatoneguy285]

FullmetalSpider wait, are they not allowed to talk to people from other schools?

[@bcas99]

thatoneguy285 nope. They have to remain in character. I suppose if I spoke French I could've had a conversation w one of them. I'm not sure what the theme of their show is this year, but they'll be at my home competition so maybe I'll have better luck this year lol.

[@alexandranichols9673]

I go to this high school and I am in the orchestra program and this am very close to the percussion program. They use matched grip in order to facilitate the switch between percussion instruments. If they need a bass drum person to play snare, they can do so without having to spend 100000x more time learning the instrument with traditional grip. The drum corps and massive high schools have bajillions of people trying out and therefore do not need to worry about lack of percussionists.

[@HJY146]

In other words, Dartmouth rocks!

[@mitpatel3186]

Yea

[@PlushChronicles]

Haha its really smart. Also, I have a feeling that within ten years everyone will be matched grip

[@jamessemaj5693]

People also don't realize that those kids can play matched too...I daresay they could do it just as well.

[@epiccraftful]

Hi.

[@cjone138]

Best high school line I've ever seen. I love it. You can see it in their faces how much they love performing. This is how it should be.

[@futureCadet]

The best part about match grip is you don't have to retrain drummers. Said differently, if this snare line were to all graduate, you can much easier take two bass drummers and two quad drummers and put them on snare without changing their grip, as oppose to training left hands every season someone new has to play snare. In terms of the feeder system WITHIN a program, it's the most efficient choice.

[@MrTyranitar15]

It is, but when you consider going into Drum Corps, they're going to be weaker than they could be. The reason most high schools do traditional grip is because (If i'm not mistaken), there's not a single drum corps that does match grip anymore. For high school, it's fine, but for later it would be an issue. Dartmouth rocks anyway!!

[@futureCadet]

+Alex Neagu Haha good point..although I always feel like people teach traditional grip because it's tradition lol. I'm not sure how many percussion caption heads set their ensemble goals based on projected DCI participation...I've always believed if a student finds themselves in an all match grip group BUT they are in the minority that want to pursue DCI, private lessons will get the job done. If they truly want to live that snare life, they will seek the knowledge. As stated, I feel like there are far fewer students from any given HS that pursue DCI, as oppose to the majority of them. Then, when we consider how many match group students actually want to pursue DCI and WGI, that number of students gets even smaller. All that being said, if the worst thing is private lessons for the few students that want to do more outside of their match grip school ensemble, I think that's a fair trade off for the other benefits mentioned to fielding a match grip group. RudimentalMindsetDOTcom

[@MrTyranitar15]

futureCadet I agree with you.

[@soupienips6338]

Alex Neagu disagree. I'm abou 99.99% sure these guys all know traditional. And honestly, it's not all that difficult to transfer matched grip playing skills to traditional and vise versa. The center went to blue devils so it's obviously not a problem.

[@mikel7505]

Soupie Nips 2 years late but he was already marching spartans while in high school and his dad is Tom Aungst, he probably knew traditional before matched

[@ZekeRoxas]

It was great meeting these wonderful and talented performers this year! Truly remarkable group of people hope to see them in the future. -Zeke (Chino Hills Quad)

[@MTR2424]

Proud of my son, Ian Russell, on that flawless snare line.

[@ZackWatson]

This snare-line is hectic as. That's probably the most content I've seen come out of a high-school snare line ever.

[@timjohnshort]

I probably would have to agree, but still not the cleanest.

[@ZackWatson]

@@timjohnshort sure. But they got the cool notes!

[@cooldaniel101]

Their incredible playing makes up for their uniforms lol

[@atomikfzr1]

They make me want to play matched grip

[@ZackWatson]

Let's tell Ben we'll only play matched this summer. ;)

[@atomikfzr1]

you know he wouldnt hesitate haha

[@dawsonrichie3596]

for real tho

[@KangarooToYouToo]

In my opinion, this recording is far better than ANY performance of theirs I saw this year due to the absence of the COMPLETELY overwhelming use of electronics. A group of great drummers and musicians such as this one doesn't need to blow your ears out to sound impressive. This video is proof.

[@damullster]

People are getting all internet tech mode about the matched grip. I think we can all agree that the center snare solo was so beautiful Anyone have a transcription?

[@Drumpverm]

Commandergree143 That's a lie

[@sergiosalinas4184]

Had clean beats since 1500s wow👌👌👌👌

[@davidavery7718]

I just question the life of traditional grip as a whole after seeing this....

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

Except for the fact that every drum corps line still uses traditional and almost every college line in the country also uses traditional. I see your point though. Nice matched line for sure.Notice the snares switched to traditional in segments during the show.

[@jrmbvn]

Dennis Johnson not all of them

[@blueturtleteo65]

I still question the use of match grip on any line or school (including middle school) because all it does is make you have to learn a whole new grip for dci and college

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

jrmbvn But obviously this line has a background in both matched and traditional as evidenced by the switch during the show. High school players on this level know about the importance of learning both if they want to avoid limiting their options in college and drum corps.

[@freemason3]

BlueTurtle teo any percussionist worth his salt can play BOTH styles interchangeably. If he can't, he limits himself and is therefore useless as anything more than a performer. Even the greats can switch back and forth, because the fundamentals are the same.

[@r0b1n8er1125]

It was amazing watching them perform this every week that season, always rushing to get our equipment onto the trailer so we could get back for their performance.

[@CornOnTheCobraSM]

Still cold af 10 years later in 2024🥶

[@Erthely]

Mmmmmm, I love that old blue stars-ish book sound that they have. Brings me back

[@A_Flash1992]

this is one of the best dartmouth lines I've ever seen! holy crap!!!

[@HaloAdmiral]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@scv1981]

Best listened to outdoors! Nice and clean.

[@nickcampbell3812]

I love the costumes and what I can see of the show design.

[@MikeMuncher]

(Oh, and concept is great! So many that are obtuse or otherwise hard to follow, and this one is a crowd pleaser and plain as day. I like that!)

[@KenKenTheDrummer]

I salute them. Like my left hand has been trained with traditional for so long I don’t know if I could ever get a command of match grip. So badass!

[@TheChannelPlace]

such talent, holy crap.

[@Falcon2.39-1]

Wow I love this so much

[@battleman27]

Coolest wgi show ever!

[@kramerguitars204]

SOOOO CLEAN!!!! Hard to believe this is a high school!

[@Bluceblayne3]

I just love their shoes

[@MrTyranitar15]

Never realized Alan Aungst was on this snareline lol

[@blakez6978]

One of my favorite percussion books lol

[@ELDLtenors]

this is brilliant

[@poliselthiago]

Best performance

[@dustinmckee6762]

Did they just go Super Saiyan at 3:43?

[@hvossaf]

I'm in love with the xylo

[@AquaAnim]

Matched makes the most sense if you want to study percussion as a whole.

[@moneyloverj]

I done know what just happened.... But I love it !

[@MoustacheCloud]

sick snare shit..clean af too

[@Bigarnj1]

MATCHED GRIP ROCKS!!!

[@ramseyhunt4617]

Very nice. I like the costumes. Not a fan of match on snare but it actually kind of works with the costumes.

[@chris_amezquita]

That Xylophone solo...

[@Biosagex13]

This is sick! :D

[@monkeyrilla]

Id kill to have their snare book!!

[@jabronasaurus]

It's a sad reality that the whole Grip debate slanders and diminishes every single Dartmouth video. They chose a style and they use it at the highest level. Let's talk about the beats! They're superb!

[@ermitchell2004]

People have taken issue with it since before you could really share video on the internet. I remember after we won in 1998 and 1999, I would get AOL instant messages from random people saying we shouldn’t have won because our snares played matched grip.

[@tstew258]

I'm not sure I see the whole "This makes me want to march matched grip" thing here, I personally think it just doesn't look right, and really I think having a SLIGHT difference in sound is better for things like paradiddles, it just makes them stand out a bit more, especially when you get to fast tempi.

[@Mike-zb4ds]

Jim Casella, one othe greatest all time arrangers, was asked in an interview which grip he preferred for lines. Matched or traditional? Answer, matched.

[@Ianmahaffeypercussion]

Best high school drum line in the country.

[@masonbose7]

Ehhhh that's debatable

[@Ianmahaffeypercussion]

I guess. Yeah there are programs that play just as well, but when it comes to consistency and musical and physical demand these kids throw down every year. Also I could be wrong but I don't believe that they have ever finished below 3rd in scholastic world. And do you see where the kids March at in the summer? Cadets, crown, BD ect. You Probably already know this though.

[@masonbose7]

Yea consistently, these guys are up there definitely, Always put on great shows

[@slixkrixk]

I agree Ian one of the best if not the best high school lines in the country

[@petarpwnsuall]

the only line that entertains me anymore

[@dunkhi]

"YEAH!!"

[@MadBeatzPhilly]

The application of so much foundation most likely took Mad Time.

[@MikeMuncher]

Can't say anything about near perfection, so I'll just say the lens flare transitions are off-putting. There, I called out the worst thing on the vid. Amazing work, guys! Wild to see how far this group has come since the first decade of the 00’s. Inspirational!

[@zakf6104]

My opinion on this is that traditional grip was first used to play field drums on the battlefield because it was too hard to play matched with a field drum on a sling. Now that we have harnesses that keep our drums at level, there is no real reason to play traditional grip. It is mainly used as a grip to show off and do visuals. That's why you see the snare drummer switch to traditional grip to do his solo.

[@kichrootra]

This exactly. I feel like traditional grip is still in use because of its name; it's tradition. If judges hadn't automatically prejudiced most snare lines that use matched, most people would use matched by now.

[@zakf6104]

who or what are you i agree

[@brianmalexander]

+Zak Foreman Traditional grip provides visual variety. Watching someone play snare matched grip is so incredibly boring. It's also MUCH easier. Notice the snare soloist used traditional grip... because it looks WAY better.

[@zakf6104]

Doesn't make it any less impressive.

[@brianmalexander]

Um... yes it does. Matched grip is much easier. If two lines play the same thing and one plays traditional they are better. It also looks better. It's like giving a tenor player 1-3 drums and saying that's just as impressive as playing on 5 or 6 drums.

[@aarowlarsen3857]

Where do you guys get the music? its Awesome LOL XD

[@khaliddavis2493]

5:57 when you get an unknown call

[@Bluntermocha]

Matched is just as good, but I will say it’s much easier to go from traditional to matched because going from a different concept in one hand to the same concept in both, means you can apply what you learned with your right to your left to make just as strong in matched

[@maladykiller]

This ain't no high school line, maybe a parking lot but defintely not a line. Dayum!

[@stinker145r6]

the scream at the end got me

[@TaQuanSmith]

What is traditional grip?

[@OMGWTHBBQPANDA117]

i am unhealthily jealous at their drums. i want them drums yo

[@imimmaimimmimm1429]

Hard for me !!!!

[@stephondillard3309]

Why do you hold the stick in your left hand what's the difference

[@protog2663]

Did y'all see that cool move the guy in the far right did?! 3:30

[@tbhidek133]

I wish i wen't to a high school that is this big on percussion :( I'd give anything to learn how to play snare at such a fast tempo along with stick tricks. also, tbh, don't change :) idc about matched grip or traditional grip.

[@JonathanHattonMusic]

the quad player on the right side is so creepy at the end!! ahaha

[@Pygmarmomk14]

Anyone know what type of sticks the Tenors were using???

[@Cptn_Testes]

tom aungst hybrids

[@Drumpverm]

Does anyone have music for any part of this because I can't find it on snare science or anywhere else

[@iainfranklin8472]

I do :P haha

[@DexterHunn]

Just dance + 17th century garb wut

[@garrettelm-picard7148]

I don't really give a crap about what type of grip you use if you can be that perfect, let's be real here.

[@gundamassassin241]

what other groups ( college, university, drum corp, or indoor group) use matched for snare?

[@evaldezae12]

Santa Clara did for a year in mid 2000

[@evaldezae12]

Just a little fun fact. Also you asked lol

[@zharston]

Zachary Snyder I'm sure the people that marched that show would love to hear that about their summer of hard work.

[@spookyboi315]

We used to go up against them all the time in high school and sweet baby Jesus were they good.. just a different level

[@michaelhutson1631]

Hey my older brother was in this one!

[@Severen45]

Still finding it hard to believe that's a high school snareline..... FUCK..

[@maxpacheco2]

Right of center, kid in blue, marched Blue Devils snareline this past summer, and kid left of center was center tenor for Crown this past summer. World class talent all around

[@ChrisM-dx8up]

Its because Tom Aungst is the percussion direction of the school. Of course they are fucking amazing.

[@ChrisM-dx8up]

Max Pacheco btw I'm pretty sure the kid in the blue is the center snare

[@maxpacheco2]

Jesus Christ yeah he is. That's tom's son, who now marches BD. Because it's a four man snare line, there is no center of the line, so I meant right or center meaning second from the right.

[@ChrisM-dx8up]

Max Pacheco yeah

[@GuildmasterWiggly]

Why would you even traditional?

[@3d1217]

The only reason traditional exists is because they didn't have the equipment back then for the drums to not be tilted on their side and it was awkward to play matched when the drum was sideways. The stands hold the drum correctly now, so what's wrong with matched?

[@clearestapricotpencil4125]

Funny enough, traditional grip is used and taught mostly out of tradition. Many drum set players learn traditional or are taught that way from someone else who learned that way, and as far as the marching arts, I think it's also out of tradition.

[@colton_simmons]

Anyone else see money coming out of their everything? My school had to cut and paint over a 3 year old mat to get even have one this year. Out battery has 12 people and our pit has 11 people

[@jacobbenoit_]

Colton Simmons all of Dartmouth’s music programs are overseen by the Dsma which is a nonprofit organization.

[@franklinbileth1302]

Where can I find music like this?

[@0FRIJOLERO]

+uasuka *back in the 18th century

[@Slickisonrick69]

Now i dont feel so bad about playing matched at school lol

[@seananderson3345]

But is the snare line that clean?

[@Drumguy65]

Almighty Kasper Yes.

[@seananderson3345]

Do they play stuff at this level?

[@akmedman8078]

I don't understand the need to do match grip. People always say it's because like every other percussion instrument can be played with matched, or something close to it. But I can play both traditional and matched fine. I play keyboards and anything but a marching snare (besides drumset sometimes) with matched, and I can switch between the two fine. I don't consider myself weak in either, and honestly, it isn't hard for a snareline to do traditional, and at our school, if you wanted to switch from another instrument to snare, then it just gives you incentive to work hard to get a good traditional grip. Plus it just looks cooler. And props to Dartmouth, they are pretty sick. I just can't take them seriously with those costumes.

[@loganbolarinho3100]

2012 Dartmouth show wgi I suggest you watch it, there is a meaning in the show itself that will respond to your concern.

[@supermcnasty1o520]

+Tyrell Wiggems I am in the Dartmouth Drumline Mr. A thinks match is better he wanted to do something different from the other groups and he teaches us in elementary through highschool so he already knows who he wants on the Drumline when they get older and he finds it easier for him to teach us match all they way so we can master it that's why we play match

[@supermcnasty1o520]

+Tyrell Wiggems thank you glad you liked it

[@supermcnasty1o520]

+Tyrell Wiggems Are you going to Dayton ?

[@project6productions924]

1000th like

[@aidanfrank4626]

Their budget must be giant

[@mikel7505]

1:12

[@haha69sexnumber]

Dartmouth is the only group to make match cool

[@hundovfx3418]

I’ll y’all some time... center snare at 2:57

[@J5o7h9n1A3]

What's the song played @ 2:45?

[@TheDu3LGaM3Rs]

Applause - Lady Gaga

[@J5o7h9n1A3]

XxXDual GamingXxX Thanks Man :}

[@dmndsol]

That was high schoolers? WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!

[@lailacarter205]

well

[@blakef.8566]

That snare lick at about 1:14 has me breathing heavy in a silent library. Definitely being judged...

[@mtgsykotic3142]

Imagine if public schools had their funding. Maybe music programs wouldn't be dying out.

[@jacobbenoit_]

MTG Bootcamp all of Dartmouth’s music programs are overseen by the Dsma which is a nonprofit organization.

[@jamesrgoes]

After the 2020 Pandemic😷, the uncomfortable make-up and costume seem trivial😜 Well executed...go Big Green! DHS '86

[@e8tballz]

@christraven nevermind the costumes. The tight military outfits, the HOOOS and HAAAAS! The posing. It's,,,..homoerotic in nature

[@DippyGames]

I was the 999th like lmao

[@MadBeatzPhilly]

Mad Beatz will never play traditional again.

[@skateruwu]

Yea, they're super clean, but what is keeping them from traditional? I mean if they're all as brilliant percussionists as they seem, why can't they all know, including the quads and bass drummers. I mean its not a really big deal but it just looks more professional

[@seananderson3345]

THANK YOU

[@JackKloecker]

Honestly, in all aspects matched grip makes the most sense. You dont have to compete with two different fulcrums which means you eliminate a struggle to match hand to hand quality. While traditional may look more professional its used in such a small part of the percussion world. As far as developing percussionists for a future goes matched grip makes the most sense. I mean I like traditional but the more you use it the more you realize that it doesnt make a lot of sense.

[@3monted]

It's also a lot less healthy, and exposes you to more injury

[@Ianmahaffeypercussion]

Match grip is more efficient, and you get the best sound quality from it. The majority of these kids march drum corps so they can play both.

[@Phillesfan8]

3:08 I FOUND A TICK!! LISTEN TO THE TENORS OMG I HEARD A TICK. I FEEL ACCOMPLISHED FOR FINDING 1 SINGLE FLAW IN THIS SHOW. (Completely joking btw)

[@Matt-ud9op]

Liam lol that was a rim shot

[@e8tballz]

As someone who played snare in marching and a few percussion ensembles. I've just gotta say that the homoerotic undertones are now becoming overtones. And that's perfectly fine. But let's call a spade a spade.

[@christraven]

Why? Because they all happen to be wearing period French costumes? Aside from the snares acting like pompous gits, I didn't see any overt homoeroticism in this at all.

[@Horsechokers]

Its Just BAND

[@3monted]

Its a show, its about entertainment. Why the hate?

[@e8tballz]

@DanielMonte WHAT HATE?!? Because I said it has homoerotic undertones!? Maybe I meant that's a good thing! Maybe not. But it sure shows the way you see things!

[@D1SxK1DxB3AST]

North shore tho....

[@chrisserna9455]

I think if they tilted the snares and did traditional it would have fit this so much better...

[@xbillups8322]

some of the show themes such as this, Speakeasy (2015), and Revolution (2016) would be more suited to traditional grip just cuz its old times themes.

[@joshwillis8984]

They should have a class for lines that use match grip. It's a hell of a lot easier than traditional. Yeah I'm sure you get looked at for every little thing since you are playing matched grip so you have to make sure you're on point but to me it's the chicken way out. Just have no use for a drum line that does this.

[@GSAIGBAI]

And tenors should play right hand traditional and bass drummers should play caveman grip. It was said in this video's comments earlier, but it makes more logistical sense to play matched grip. The front ensemble and the battery play the same way, sure there are nuances, but it's the same core concept. For highschool, the lines are constantly changing, having to learn and relearn is just a waste of time when you should be cleaning and finalizing a show. My highschool does it as well, and we compete against Dartmouth. Both methods are respectable, traditional is just more appealing. If you are focusing on looks more than music, then you are just faking your way through the musical aspect of the whole ordeal.

[@3monted]

Its just a preference. Who cares. Do whatever you do better, and let them do what they do better

[@Ianmahaffeypercussion]

Where does it say "Your snare line must use ____ grip" Tom Aungst knows what he is doing.