Music City Mystique
Music City Mystique is an independent indoor drumline based in Nashville, Tennessee. Also known to fans as Mystique or McM, Music City Mystique is a member of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit and Winter Guard International.
Mystique competes in Percussion Independent World Class (PIW) which has the highest caliber of performers in its classification in both SCGC and WGI. Music City Mystique has been a PIW Finalist every year since 1995 and were WGI World Champions in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2011.[1]
Currently, Mystique is the only 7-time Winter Guard International Percussion World Champion.[2]
History
Music City Mystique was formed in 1995 by Don Click and Chris Finen in Nashville, Tennessee. The drumline was formed by combining two local high schools drumlines since neither school had the funding or members to compete separately. Since then, Mystique has grown tremendously and is not supported financially or otherwise by any local high school. Most members are college age, while several high schoolers participate as well.
Mystique currently competes in the Percussion Independent World Class in both SCGC and WGI. They are undefeated for their entire time in SCGC, and have never finished lower than 5th in WGI. They are also the only WGI World Class ensemble to receive three consecutive gold medals.
Directors
Don Click was the Executive Director of Mystique from 1995-2006. He is currently serving as a Board Member and member of the Program Coordination Team. Click is a 2010 Inductee in the WGI Hall of Fame.
Chris Finen has filled various roles in the organization including Director of Indoor Percussion as well as Percussion Arranger and is currently the President of the Board of Directors of McM.
Josh Nelson, a former Bass Drum Section Leader and Caption Head, has filled the role of Executive Director since 2006.[3]
Staff
Jack Borland – Cymbal Tech ‡
Michael Chester – Assistant Director ‡
Carl Eppler - Battery Caption Head ‡
Matt Grimes – Tenor Tech ‡
Meagan Hills - Front Ensemble Tech ‡
Josh Wolfman King – Tenor Tech ‡
Shane Gwaltney - Visual Designer / Battery Arranger ‡
Erik Johnson - Music Coordinator / Front Ensemble Caption Head
Craig Loeffler – Front Ensemble Tech ‡
Tim Maynard – Snare Tech ‡
Jeff Meloen – Snare Tech ‡
Joel McCauley – Cymbal Tech ‡
Phil Morgan - Front Ensemble Tech ‡
Rob Pastor - Front Ensemble Tech ‡
Corey Roberson – Bass Tech ‡
Hunter Stricklin – Snare Tech ‡
‡ Denotes McM Alumni
No staff members are paid for their time.
Past and Current Programs
| Year | Program Title | Placement | Score | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | A New Beginning | 4th | 82.65 | PIM |
| 1996 | Color of Rhythm | 1st | 95.10 | PIM |
| 1997 | A Different Drum | 1st | 96.25 | PIW |
| 1998 | Vodun | 1st | 95.30 | PIW |
| 1999 | From Dawn Till Dusk: The Serengeti | 2nd | 95.15 | PIW |
| 2000 | The Four Elements | 4th | 91.85 | PIW |
| 2001 | Strength & Honor | 1st | 96.50 | PIW |
| 2002 | The Persistence of Time | 3rd | 94.20 | PIW |
| 2003 | Reflections | 4th | 93.45 | PIW |
| 2004 | Se7en | 1st | 95.85 | PIW |
| 2005 | Cosmic Proportions | 3rd | 95.25 | PIW |
| 2006 | McM Traveling Sideshow | 1st | 96.20 | PIW |
| 2007 | E=McM | 2nd | 96.30 | PIW |
| 2008 | The Adventures of... | 4th | 94.60 | PIW |
| 2009 | Requiem | 3rd | 96.225 | PIW |
| 2010 | Fantastique | 3rd | 95.513 | PIW |
| 2011 | Mantra | 1st | 97.050 | PIW |
| 2012 | Nü-Tribe | 2nd | 95.500 | PIW |
| 2013 | Taboo | 3rd | 96.125 | PIW |
| 2014 | Windows to the Soul | 2nd | 96.588 | PIW |
| 2015 | The Game | 4th | 96.063 | PIW |
| 2016 | In Bloom | 5th | 94.863 | PIW |
PIM = Percussion Independent Marching
PIW = Percussion Independent World