Rhythm X
Encyclopedia
Rhythm X is a competitive indoor marching percussion ensemble based out of Columbus, Ohio
. The ensemble competes in both Winter Guard International (WGI)
and Mid-East Performance Association (MEPA) competitions in Percussion Independent World (PIW) class, which is the classification given to the ensembles that execute musical and visual programs of the highest difficulty.
Rhythm X was the 2008 and 2009 WGI World Champion in PIW class and is well-known to indoor marching percussion fans and participants around the world as consistently one of the most highly-skilled competitors. The ensemble has also gained a reputation for presenting some of the most innovative content at each WGI Percussion World Championship and is a crowd favorite virtually every year.
. The unit was immediately successful, as it captured the gold medal in its inaugural season in Percussion Independent Open class at the 2002 WGI World Championships. Rhythm X has been classified as Percussion Independent World every season since then.
As Rhythm X's successes have continued, the membership has expanded beyond local Ohio students. Several hours of transportation is typical, but members have commuted as far as twelve hours one way every weekend to participate. Others move to Ohio for the season's duration. In its early years, the ensemble had a mixture of high school and college students, but the current membership contains almost exclusively college students. Most of the members also have experience in World Class Drum Corps International
drum and bugle corps.
In 2007, Rhythm X became the first independent Winter Guard International percussion ensemble to conduct a tour of Europe. The members and staff performed and offered clinics in England
, France
, and Belgium
using their 2007 show "Behind the Velvet Rope" as a demonstration.
In 2008, Craig Dunn announced that Andrew Markworth would be overtaking the role of Ensemble Director for Rhythm X, while Dunn would continue with some duties as Executive Director.
In 2009, Rhythm X announced its sponsorship of a newly-formed percussion ensemble in The Netherlands called European X. Head staff members Craig Dunn, Tim Fairbanks, Andrew Markworth, and Tim Jackson periodically visit them to assist with their shows' designs and their members' educations.
In 2010, Rhythm X announced that Tim Jackson would be assuming the role of Ensemble Director for the group.
Craig Dunn - Executive Director/Founder
Tim Jackson*** - Ensemble Director/Ensemble Caption Head/Battery Arranger
Tim Fairbanks - Program Coordinator/Visual Designer
Andrew Markworth*** -Music Director/Arranger
Josh Brickey*** - Snare Technician
James Sparling*** - Tenor Technician
Dan Twiford*** - Visual Ensemble Coordinator
Ryan Claus*** - Tenor Technician/Visual Technician
Ryan Lamb*** - Bass Technician
Jordan Smith*** - Bass Technician
Jake Ansley - Cymbal Technician
Matt Hahn*** - Front Ensemble Technician
Samantha Cope*** - Front Ensemble Technician
Kelsey Behl*** - Front Ensemble Technician
*** Denotes Rhythm X Alumni
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. The ensemble competes in both Winter Guard International (WGI)
Winter Guard International
Spawning from the organization Drum Corps International , Winter Guard International was founded in 1977. WGI is a visual performing arts organization that hosts regional and national competitions for color guard and indoor percussion ensembles. Contests are held in the U.S...
and Mid-East Performance Association (MEPA) competitions in Percussion Independent World (PIW) class, which is the classification given to the ensembles that execute musical and visual programs of the highest difficulty.
Rhythm X was the 2008 and 2009 WGI World Champion in PIW class and is well-known to indoor marching percussion fans and participants around the world as consistently one of the most highly-skilled competitors. The ensemble has also gained a reputation for presenting some of the most innovative content at each WGI Percussion World Championship and is a crowd favorite virtually every year.
History
Rhythm X was founded in 2001 by Craig Dunn and was initially intended to provide a competitive percussion performance experience for young musicians in OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The unit was immediately successful, as it captured the gold medal in its inaugural season in Percussion Independent Open class at the 2002 WGI World Championships. Rhythm X has been classified as Percussion Independent World every season since then.
As Rhythm X's successes have continued, the membership has expanded beyond local Ohio students. Several hours of transportation is typical, but members have commuted as far as twelve hours one way every weekend to participate. Others move to Ohio for the season's duration. In its early years, the ensemble had a mixture of high school and college students, but the current membership contains almost exclusively college students. Most of the members also have experience in World Class Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...
drum and bugle corps.
In 2007, Rhythm X became the first independent Winter Guard International percussion ensemble to conduct a tour of Europe. The members and staff performed and offered clinics in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
using their 2007 show "Behind the Velvet Rope" as a demonstration.
In 2008, Craig Dunn announced that Andrew Markworth would be overtaking the role of Ensemble Director for Rhythm X, while Dunn would continue with some duties as Executive Director.
In 2009, Rhythm X announced its sponsorship of a newly-formed percussion ensemble in The Netherlands called European X. Head staff members Craig Dunn, Tim Fairbanks, Andrew Markworth, and Tim Jackson periodically visit them to assist with their shows' designs and their members' educations.
In 2010, Rhythm X announced that Tim Jackson would be assuming the role of Ensemble Director for the group.
WGI World Championship Results
Rhythm X has maintained consistent competitive success at WGI World Championships and has been a finalist every year since its inception. The unit has been awarded 2 PIW gold medals, 3 PIW silver medals, 1 PIW bronze medal, and 1 PIO gold medal.| Year | Program Title | Placement | Score | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Our World | 1st | 96.150 | PIO |
| 2003 | Picture This | 7th | 88.200 | PIW |
| 2004 | AudioVisual | 3rd | 93.250 | PIW |
| 2005 | Wired | 2nd | 96.700 | PIW |
| 2006 | Lunaria | 2nd | 95.750 | PIW |
| 2007 | Behind the Velvet Rope | 6th | 92.200 | PIW |
| 2008 | Gone | 1st | 96.900 | PIW |
| 2009 | Touch | 1st | 97.263 | PIW |
| 2010 | Inspired | 2nd | 96.250 | PIW |
| 2011 | St& By Me | 4th | 94.225 | PIW |
Achievements
- Rhythm X is one of only 6 ensembles to ever win the PIW gold medal at WGI World Championships.
- During the 2007 season, Rhythm X became the first independent WGI Indoor Percussion Ensemble to ever tour EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. - The record for the highest-scoring WGI PIW performance at World Championships is held by Rhythm X's 2009 show "Touch" with a score of 97.263.
- Rhythm X and Blue KnightsBlue Knights Drum and Bugle CorpsThe Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps are a World Class drum and bugle corps based in Denver, Colorado and founded in 1958, and are a member corps of Drum Corps International. They are known throughout the circuit for their moving interpretations of classical music, use of choreography and...
are tied for the second-most consecutive WGI PIW gold medals. In 2010, Rhythm X narrowly missed tying the current record, held by Music City MystiqueMusic City MystiqueMusic City Mystique is an independent indoor drumline based in Nashville, Tennessee. However, due to lack of available rehearsal space, rehearsals are being held in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee...
.
Staff
Rhythm X has a versatile staff with many years of experience teaching, designing for, judging, and performing in the marching arts. Because of the skill level of the musicians and the cohesive nature of Rhythm X's alumni network, several former members of the ensemble have returned to serve as staff members.Craig Dunn - Executive Director/Founder
Tim Jackson*** - Ensemble Director/Ensemble Caption Head/Battery Arranger
Tim Fairbanks - Program Coordinator/Visual Designer
Andrew Markworth*** -Music Director/Arranger
Josh Brickey*** - Snare Technician
James Sparling*** - Tenor Technician
Dan Twiford*** - Visual Ensemble Coordinator
Ryan Claus*** - Tenor Technician/Visual Technician
Ryan Lamb*** - Bass Technician
Jordan Smith*** - Bass Technician
Jake Ansley - Cymbal Technician
Matt Hahn*** - Front Ensemble Technician
Samantha Cope*** - Front Ensemble Technician
Kelsey Behl*** - Front Ensemble Technician
Sponsors
Rhythm X exclusively uses equipment and costumes produced by the companies with whom it has partnerships.- Dynasty USADynasty USADynasty USA is a manufacturer of marching brass and percussion instruments based in the United States, and is one of the last remaining manufacturers of valved bugles pitched in G. Key consumers are drum and bugle corps, such as Phantom Regiment, Glassmen, and Revolution....
- Sabian
- Innovative Percussion
- Evans Drumheads
- Fred J. Miller, Inc.
- Planet Waves
- Wernick Musical Instruments