While the Sequoia Middle School Color Guard made history, the Monache Marauder Band's indoor percussion and ensemble units continued to make history.
Both had historic performances at the South Valley Winter Arts Association Championships on Saturday at Lemoore College. Sequoia's Color Guard finished second at the event while Monache's indoor percussion unit won the SVWAA Scholastic A title and finished with the highest score among all marching ensembles with a score of 89.3. It's the fourth gold medal earned by the indoor percussion unit. Monache also earned gold medals in 2017, 2018 and 2023.
In addition Monache seniors Deangelo Medina Montenegro and Marisela Gonsalez earned first place in the chamber ensemble category for the solo and ensemble competition. Also, Sequoia eighth-grade student Emily Chavira claimed first place in the middle school flag caption division at the SVWAA Solo and Ensemble competition as she showcased her solo performance at the championships.
MONACHE
The award-winning performance of Monache's indoor percussion unit, titled Between the Keys, captivated audiences with its stunning portrayal of a piano concert in motion.
The ensemble performed under the direction of Monache Marauder Band Director Justin Adams, Assistant Band Director Richard Madrigal, Front Ensemble Instructor Savannah Madrigal, and Drumline Instructor Jonathan Torres. Their guidance and commitment helped the students refine their skills and push the boundaries of their musical performance.
“This season has been an incredible journey for our students,” said Adams. “Between the Keys
challenged them to explore new levels of musicianship and performance artistry. I’m beyond
proud of their dedication and the way they brought this show to life.”
Senior tenor player Aiden Burns added, "It was an amazing performance, and I am thankful and proud of our ensemble for the level of performance we achieved."
The South Valley Winter Arts Association featured top percussion ensembles from across the Valley. High schools from Tulare, Kings, Kern, and Fresno Counties were represented.
The high point award was given in honor of Juan Gomez, a longtime percussion instructor and advocate for music education. Gomez presented the Marauders with the award.
The Marauders ensemble thanked Terri Gonzalez and Norm Campbell for their mentorship and guidance this season. They also thanked Monache High School Principal Shandra Walker, the Porterville Unified School District and board and Monache Band Parents for their continued support.
SEQUOIA
The SVWAA Championships featured 51 competing color guards from across the Central Valley. Middle school, high school, collegiate, and independent teams all vied for gold in their respective divisions.
Now in its third year, Sequoia’s Winter Guard has seen rapid success under the leadership of coaches Maile Sorg and Keyla Cantu. Their 2025 production, "Tell Her She’s Beautiful," captivated judges throughout the season, earning multiple first- and second-place finishes. The team also broke its personal scoring record twice, culminating in an impressive 66.76 at SVWAA championships — just under two points away from claiming the Scholastic A title.
“I am very proud of their work this season,” said Director of Bands Richard Madrigal. “As a middle school group, our students dedicate over six hours per week outside of the school day to refining their skills. Their commitment and growth have been outstanding, and I hope they’ve cherished being part of this team.”
Sequoia's Color Guard gave A heartfelt thank you to the Sequoia Middle School administration, including John Buckley, Expanded Learning, and the Porterville Unified School District and board for their continued support of music education in the community.