After a long winter break, it’s back to the books, events, new teams, and clubs. From the mist of the grind comes a new band season: Indoor Percussion. After last year’s show, “En Mase,” which led Indoor to the second round of finals, Joshua Hall, the director of Indoor Percussion, decided on a more straightforward but fascinating show this year.
Ever since Jan. 8, Indoor Percussion has been operating and coordinating the show. But unlike the past shows, Mr. Hall has developed a new way to prepare Indoor for success.
“We have rehearsals every week, a couple of times a week. So, we’re rehearsing around eight to nine hours a week after school. This year we’ve made a big boost by putting the music out earlier to the students and I can already see it’s had a huge impact,” Hall said.
Not only has Hall been an encouraging and hardworking leader for his team, but the coaches have contributed to the advancement of the students. The cymbal coach, who was in Indoor when he was at MHHS, Mr. Boscia, has developed a thorough and easy-to-learn strategy for Indoor.
“I’m finding [that] what works best is giving a visual demonstration so they can see it, and just telling them to do it. I’ll demonstrate the technique and dance stuff and say, ‘Ok, do that,’” said Boscia.
Freshman and electric bassist, Esmerelda Enciso, says the coaches have been extremely helpful in assisting her and others adjust to Indoor Percussion.
“In understanding what our roles are… and then our other coaches really helped us to work together, be a band, and be able to play together. They give a lot of good feedback,” said Enicso.
Because of technique, refinement, and evolution, the members of Indoor are thrilled for this year’s season. Through the seniors, freshman and bass drummer Alexander Delaney has found some insight into past shows, thus making him “psyched” for the first competition.
“This is the best show they’ve (the seniors) performed… it’s going to be a good season,” Delaney said.
Although the percussion is a-buzz about the season, the pressure is starting to pile on. The seniors have a certain pressure to look after the younger students in Indoor.
“You want to be a representative for the future of the drumline,” said senior and (only) electric guitarist Ezra Aboy.
Not only that, Indoor has the pressure of the judges’ eyes on them at all times during their performance.
“It’s a smaller group. There are thirteen of us and the judges are all around percussion, so they notice every little thing. There’s more pressure to have a higher standard of excellence,” said sophomore and cymbalist Rene Merino.
However, through these challenges, musicians in Indoor have each other’s backs. The community of the drumline has helped ease the group through the tension.
“It’s just great to have friends there. You build your friendships more. It’s a great community,” said Delaney.
The question is: what is causing all this anticipation? Mr. Hall announced this year’s show name and theme around the beginning of December, right before Winter Break started.
“The show is all about rain. The show’s called ‘Cloudburst,’ so it’s about the clouds opening up and running. I think it’s [more] straightforward than some things.”
The last time Indoor Percussion did a show like this was around 2009, five years after the school opened up. As we reach MHHS’s twentieth year, it’s only fitting that this year’s show is a form of a throwback.
“Mission Hills did a drumline show called ‘Rain.’ In a way, it’s a connection back to the history of the school,” Hall said.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, Indoor Percussion had its first competition, taking third place at La Quinta High School, and only time will tell how far they’ll go this winter.