West Milford Indoor Percussion is an extension of the Highlander Band program that combines the marching arts with the use of percussion instruments. For over 20 years, West Milford Indoor Percussion has established a tradition of excellence in the percussive arts, resulting in numerous awards and honors. The ensemble consists of approximately 30-40 members and participates in competitions through USBands and WGI. In recent years, West Milford Indoor Percussion won two USBands Division 1A Indoor Championships and is a WGI Regional Finalist.
Recent West Milford Color Guard Awards & Honors
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USBands New Jersey State Championship Group VA Best Percussion 2016
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Yamaha Cup Best Percussion 2015, 2016, 2017
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USBands Indoor Percussion Scholastic Marching 1A Champions 2015, 2016
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2017 US Bands Div. 2nd Place Indoor Championships
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WGI Scholastic A East Power Regional Finalists 2017
West Milford Color Guard is a pageantry orientated performance ensemble. This group visually interprets selected musical repertoire utilizing flags, rifles, sabers and other props together with dance moves, original choreography, and traditional marching techniques. In the Fall, the Color Guard performs as a unit with the State and National Championship Highlander Marching Band. Following the conclusion of the marching season, the Color Guard performs as a stand-alone unit at competitions across the United States. The West Milford Color Guard has been recognized over the years as both MAIN and WGI medalists. Color Guard welcomes participants in 7th grade and above. Contact Mr. Peter Shaver at Peter.Shaver@wmtps.org.
Recent West Milford Color Guard Awards & Honors
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USBands National Championship Group VA Best Colorguard 2016-18
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WGI Regional Scholastic A Champions 2018
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WGI Regional Scholastic A Champions 2019
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WGI Regional Scholastic A Champions 2020
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WGI National Finalists
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MAIN Scholastic A Champions
Colorguard & Winterguard
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WGI Regional Champs!
The West Milford Winter Guard placed 1st in the scholastic A division at the WGI Regional in Philadelphia on February 2, 2019. The guard placed first out of 11 competing guards and is currently riding and undefeated season. Congratulations!
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Staff
2024 was a transformative year for the WM Color guard and Winter guard staff. Long-time director and MAIN Hall Of Fame Inductee Peter Shaver took a step back and began to transfer the reigns over to instructors Casey McCoy and Heather Trujillo. Casey and Heather are up for the challenge and look forward to taking both the Fall and Winter guards to new heights. With the help of Keith Williams, WM alumnus and marching staff, the three are excited to see what the future has in-store for our guard program.
Casey McCoy
Casey has been involved in the performing arts for 25 years; originally from New Hartford, NJ, he currently resides in Middletown, NY
Casey began his performance career in his high school program, where he also was a part of the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps from Syracuse, NY. Upon graduating, he went on to perform with the Empire Statesmen from Rochester, NY and later with the Hawthrorne Caballeros from Hawthorne, NJ
While he loves drum corps, his main passion came from the indoor arena where he began to perform with various WGI finalist color guards including Brigadiers Winter Guard from Syracuse, NY, Spectrum Winter Guard from Binghamton, NY and Alter Ego Color Guard out of Trumbull, CT. Casey was also a member of the cast of David Byrne's live performance event turned documentary film titled "Contemporary Color". The film was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
For the last 19 years, Casey has directed, designed, taught and consulted with various high schools, independent programs and drum corps throughout the country: including Mohonasen HS (NY), Origins (TX), Northern Valley Combined Schools (NJ), McNeil HS (TX), Cadets 2 (PA) and West Milford HS where he has taught for the past 13 years. He is also currently the Color guard Assistant Caption Head for Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps (WY)
Heather Trujillo
After spending her high school years playing clarinet in marching band and spinning in her school's winter guard during the winter season, Heather found her home in color guard. She has spun at multiple independent Winter guards and in 2016 began to spread her knowledge and passion for the sport by teaching. Heather taught a small color guard in southern California for one year but eventually moved back to her home town and became the director of the Pequannock Township HS color guard and winter guard from 2017-2023.
Heather came on staff with West Milford in 2023 and she is thrilled to now be expanding her skills in her second full season. She is looking forward to an amazing season and future with our program.
Keith Williams
Mr. Keith Williams is an alumnus of West Milford High School. After earn ing his degree from the Hartt School of Music, Dance and Theater, he went to yo run the Hawthorne High School music program for 10 years. During his time at Hawthorne, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2018. Mr. Williams is an accomplished tuba and bagpipe player. He has served as a clinician for marching bands such as Midland Park and is excited to be on staff with West Milford's marching band and indoor guard programs.