| Rhythm X | |
|---|---|
| Location | Columbus, OH |
| Circuits | Winter Guard International, Mid-East Performance Association |
| Class | Percussion Independent World |
| Directors | Tim Jackson, Craig Dunn |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Championship Titles | 2002 (PIO); 2008, 2009 (PIW) |
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,[1] which is the classification given to the ensembles that execute musical and visual programs of the highest difficulty.[2]
Rhythm X was the 2008 and 2009 WGI World Champion in PIW class[3] 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.[4]
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Rhythm X was founded in 2001 by Craig Dunn and was initially intended to provide a competitive percussion performance experience for young musicians in Ohio. 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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[4]
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.[7]
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.[8]
In 2010, Rhythm X announced that Tim Jackson would be assuming the role of Ensemble Director for the group.[9]
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.[3]
| 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 |
| 2012 | enLIGHTened | TBD | TBD | PIW |
Rhythm X has a versatile staff with many years of experience teaching, designing for, judging, and performing in the marching arts.[11] 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
*** Denotes Rhythm X Alumni
Rhythm X exclusively uses equipment and costumes produced by the companies with whom it has partnerships.[12]
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