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MANSFIELD - The Mansfield High School percussion ensemble has won its first world title in what Band Director Peter Conti called his students' best performance ever.

Performing a medley of hits from jazz great Pat Metheny, Mansfield won the concert open division final Friday night at the Winter Guard International World Championship in Dayton, Ohio.

The 19 Mansfield students truly played their hearts out, as evidenced by the trip home.

"They were so tired," Conti said. "We hadn't been on the road for a half hour before they were sound asleep.

"I have never seen a group of my kids give so much. I'm proud of them." Mansfield was among five schools in the finals, which they missed by one-tenth of a point in 2006, Conti said Monday. Mansfield advanced to the 2007 finals from a field of 10 schools in the preliminary round. Listening to judges' feedback helped Mansfield win, Conti said. The students rehearsed all day Thursday, then "had a few glitches" during the preliminaries, Conti said.

"When we got out there, the kids really turned it up a notch," Conti said.

Also in competition was King Philip Regional High School, which earned a silver in the scholastic open division. last Saturday night.