Indianapolis Percussion Regional Review

By Michael Reed

Percussion Independent World

Rhythm X (OH) (1st- 89.45) once again is pushing the creative boundaries of the activity with “Inspired.” If this weekend’s frenzied crowd reactions are any indication, this will be one of those “must see” shows at next month’s Finals. Combining artistry, athleticism, and entertainment, the line had the cheering audience on its feet when members played while standing on snare drums and quads (whose players drummed while supporting the weight of their teammates).

Two of the most successful movies of 2010 are “Avatar” and the recently-released “Alice in Wonderland”, almost polar opposites in subject matter yet both taking place in fantasy worlds. Music City Mystique (TN) (2nd- 85.70) took us to their own realm of alternate reality with “Fantastique.” Sets and costuming in vivid reds and greens provided the backdrop for a place with wild drumming, break-neck movement, and cymbals soaring through the air.

Blue Knights (CO) (3rd- 83.35) made a rare pre-Championships trip outside of Colorado and the spectators in Indianapolis are glad they did. “Reactions” featured members pushing, pulling, and interacting with each other both visually and musically. Near the end, the line got the audience involved with rhythmic chants of “Re-re-react”, where they encouraged the spectators to join with them in their chant.

Costumed as what may be described as percussive shamans, Matrix (OH) (4th- 81.90) evoked images of the prehistoric beginnings of drumming with “The Art of the Hand.” A cornucopia of hand percussion instruments were featured, but the line brought along their top-of-the line marching instruments too, with impressive features and amazingly fast triplet runs in the keyboards.

Gateway Indoor (MO) (5th- 80.45) made the spectators breathless just watching them perform what must be one of the most physically demanding shows of the year with “Biorhythm.” While there were brief moments of rest, the line moved at a sprinter’s pace for the majority of the show while playing a music book that was as demanding as their drill.

It takes courage to compete in WGI’s highest level of competition in your debut season. Freedom Percussion (IL) (6th- 74.45) laughed at the challenge….. Literally. “Just for Laughs”, performed on a floor with smiley faces and “LOL”, featured numerous moments of whimsy, getting a number of hearty chuckles and guffaws from the crowd.

Evolution (IL) (7th- 71.90) re-enacted highlights from one of the most controversial court cases of the past century with “Inherit the Wind”, named for the Academy-award nominated film. The show captured the drama and strong emotions felt by both sides in the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial about teaching the theory of evolution in public schools.

Percussion Scholastic World

Defending PSW Silver Medalist Center Grove HS (IN) (1st- 87.70) opened their WGI season in strong fashion with “Don’t Give Up.” The line did a fantastic job of getting all the parts to be clearly heard throughout the arena while executing one of the most complex music books in the class. A female dressed in white, who was a sort of guardian angel, sang soothing words of encouragement to a world beaten down by the tribulations of life.

Avon HS (IN) (2nd- 86.725) presented what could become the feel-good show of the year with “Carpe Diem”. Opening with Robin William’s exhortation to his class from the film “Dead Poet’s Society”, the production features uplifting music while reminding us to not let a single moment go to waste in our lives. The message of the show combined with excellence of execution to get one of the biggest ovations of the day.

Fishers HS (IN) (3rd- 84.80), who is attending World Championships for the first time this year, had the honor of being promoted to PSW after prelims. A solid third place showing in a field with four 2009 PSW finalists proved they belong in World Class. “Element” musically and visually depicts the four classical elements of air, earth, fire, and water, and how their unique qualities shape our world.

Centerville HS (OH) (4th- 84.20) paid homage to Janet Jackson’s album “Rhythm Nation 1814” with their show, “Rhythm Nation”. A fiery-hot opener of the album’s title track set the tone for a package with a catchy, pop-oriented book. Ms. Jackson is also known for her dance moves, and the visual design, with its high velocity drill, featured plenty of movement.

A tasteful combination of mallets, electronics, and the soft, ascending glissandos of a grand piano helped Walled Lake HS (MI) (5th- 80.85) produce “The Ripple Effect.” The artistic production, set to a color palette in varying shades of green, evoked images of ripples on the surface of a tranquil lake when a drop of water disturbs the surface.

Petal HS (MS) (6th- 76.00) warned of big changes about to come with “Revolution!” Nine large televisions with static on the screens served to frame the floor. Narration, spoken over a driving hard rock beat, advised that the revolution is not about impressing our friends; it is about persuading them to follow our lead to change the world.

Percussion Scholastic Concert World

Goshen HS (IN) (1st- 81.70) was full of surprises with “When the Split Hits the Fans.” While they handled many technical 16th note passages with ease, what sets this group apart is their unique, offbeat approach. The biggest audience response came when four keyboards were played from the front and back by two people on each instrument at the same time.

Percussion Independent Open

Tates Creek Indoor (KY) (1st- 85.45) earned a commanding win over four other PIO lines with “The Other Side.” Set on a floor of blue and orange with corresponding ten-foot tall panels (reminiscent of the color scheme of Rhythm X’s “Gone” show of 2008), the group utilized the two colors to their advantage as the panels moved around the floor, helping the group change visual moods to fit the music.

Leading a duo of lines promoted from PIA after prelims, Green Thunder Percussion (IL) (2nd- 81.00) scored well in their first PIO performance. Once “Momentum” started, it kept going in seemingly perpetual motion. The young men did a great job handling the bright, fast paced music which kept the audience involved through the sheer energy of the performance.

Genesis (MI) (3rd- 80.55), also promoted from PIA following prelims, utilized black and white photos of important images of the past century with “Capture the Moment.” Snapshots of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, Martin Luther King, and Neil Armstrong planting the American flag on the moon were highlights of the show.

Pioneer Indoor (IL) (4th- 76.10) took us inside a place where groove is created with “Beat Factory.” Large green, grey, and silver gears on the backdrops turned as the line kept cranking with machine-like precision. A sign boasting “364 injury free days” almost had to be changed after a player slipped, but luckily he was uninjured.

Elements Indoor (OH) (5th- 66.40) dealt with the cycle of recovering from loss with “Grief.” A lady received a phone call telling her of the sudden death of her husband. The balance of the show depicted her progression from shock, denial, and anger to eventual acceptance.

Percussion Scholastic Open

Franklin Central HS (IN) (1st- 83.15) reminded us of the importance of taking advantage of opportunities with “Moment.” There were quite a few moments of brilliance throughout, as the battery was crisp and the pit displayed a mature musical sensitivity during contemplative sections. As the motivational show reached it’s climax, narration counseled us to “make this your moment!!”

Who says bright neon colors are necessary to succeed? Pike HS (IN) (2nd- 80.25) needed only one color with “Symphony in Black”. Promoted from PSA after a strong prelim showing, the line presented a high-octane barrage of music and motion while wearing only black, marched on a black tarp, and with tall movable black fabric backdrops.

Andrew HS (IL) (3rd- 78.95) brought a sense of rebuffed romantic allure with “Tryst.” Various members of the battery attempted to woo a female cymbal player, who toyed with their emotions but turned them down. At the ending, the line presented flowers to the object of their desire, but she refused them and turned away.

Houston HS (TN) (4th- 73.10) utilized a guard with their drumline in “Right Here, Right Now.” Sections of the line were dressed in blue, yellow, green, and purple, with corresponding sections of the guard in the same colors. The brightness of costumes and flags was an effective contrast to the black tarp.

Percussion Scholastic Concert Open

Brookville HS (OH) (1st- 79.60) brought an air of playful spookiness to the gymnasium with St. Saen’s “Danse Macabre.” The group did a great job with the stylistic nuances of the quick 3/4 waltz feel of the piece. A skeletal Death figure controlled an ensemble of ghouls, dictating their movements like a malevolent maestro.

East Central HS (IN) (2nd- 77.40) has carved out a niche for themselves in recent years by programming Latin-jazz music. This year’s “Hurry Up and Wait” is no exception. After a lively opening in 7/4, the keyboards produced a wonderful jazz-piano feel, with rapid-fire fast triplet passages demonstrating their technique.

Percussion Independent A

Improving their score by eight points in 24 hours, Heritage Independent (IN) (1st- 82.50) made an impressive showing with “The Fine Line.” The show began quietly with a quick 3/4 waltz feel, leading into an alternating progression of aggressive sections and slower, lyrical moments. The keyboard players shined in the closer with well executed rapid 16th-note passages.

Percussion Scholastic A

Plainfield HS (IN) (1st- 86.70) took top honors and swept all captions with “These Dreams.” The line created an aura of childlike innocence in examining the playful fantasies of youth, before moving on to explore the more “grown-up” themes of finding love, starting a family (performed to Gary Wright’s “Dream Weaver”), and making the world a more peaceful place to live.

After moving up five places from prelims, Decatur Central HS (IN) (2nd- 84.05) had good reason to feel hopeful with their program “Accentuate the Positive.” Pat Metheny’s “Finding and Believing” served as musical bookends for the production which reminded us that nothing in life is impossible if we have an optimistic, can-do spirit.

Mt. Vernon HS (IN) (3rd- 83.45) utilized quotations from famous historical and fictional characters in “You Can Quote Me on That.” Performed on a floor with quotation marks at each end, the group used both recorded snippets and quotes written on rotating boxes with saying from sources as diverse as Yoda and Confucius.

Colerain HS (OH) (4th- 83.20) created a unique array of aural textures with “Metal.” Utilizing everything from small tuned gongs to crotales to just about any other metallic item that could be hit or crashed, the net effect was a soundscape which made the contrast with the sound of their drums all the more effective.

North Allegheny HS (PA) (5th- 81.75) used about every permutation of the numeral “3” imaginable in their program “Three”. The line musically and visually depicted the number in meter and drill, and pointed out how common sayings such as “See No Evil/Speak No Evil/See No Evil” are in three word groupings.

Martinsville HS (IN) (6th- 79.975) illustrated the battle between good and evil raging within all of us with “Karma.” Two ladies wearing white and black represented the virtues of charity, tranquility, and compassion; and the vices greed, deception, and revenge. At the end, the line introspectively asked “What’s your karma?”

While many of today’s shows feature driving rock-oriented music, Greenfield Central HS (IN) (7th- 75.90) gave the audience a refreshing change of pace with the baroque sounds of “Basso Continuo”. Set on a floor with a giant string bass, the elegant package featured tastefully done ornamentations in the mallet scoring.

Percussion Scholastic Concert A

Union Co. HS (IN) (1st- 75.60) got into a rollicking, Latin-jazz fusion groove in a 7/8 meter right off the bat with “Seven”. The kids did a super job with the jazz style while playing in an unusual jazz meter. The second half of the performance kept the Latin motif going, with heavily syncopated passages leading to an energetic, upbeat ending.

Taking us on a mini-tour through the history of Western music with “Harmonic Pathways”, Beech Grove HS (IN) (2nd- 67.70) began with the eerie strains of Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (the “2001” theme), then continued the journey by playing well-known melodies of Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin.

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