Congratulations to El Rancho’s indoor drumline, winning 1st place at the WGASC Championships on Saturday, April 26. A special thank you goes to the band director, John Rush, coaches, Allen Makishima, Max Pearl, Aiden Marquez, and volunteer and alum, Jose Padilla.

With a score of 81.875, El Rancho’s show, “Clockwork,” takes the audience through a working clock. With familiar clock melodies, ticking choreography, and grandfatherly props, this 3-part performance will mesmerize you with eye-catching runs and ear-pleasing musical rounds.

(Want to see this performance? Attend the Spring Showcase in the New Gym on May 13, 2025!)

While their show was ultimately successful, the path to success always comes with barriers. While the drumline was setting up before the show, the rain began to pour, wetting the uniforms, props, and instruments to the point where even the technology seemed a little under the weather. 

“So the synths were getting wet, the computer got wet, so we had to switch out some equipment, the mixer got wet too, along with the speakers and wires, it got bad, but we fixed it right before the show happened.” said freshman, Ryley Juarez, one of the two synth (synthesizer) players in the group.

Getting first place is always exciting, but even more profound when it’s your first time in the activity. This was El Rancho Drumline’s first time participating in the moving aspect of the sport, making it into the Percussion Scholastic Novice division. Keep on winning, Dons!