I attended my first indoor percussion show last year and am honestly shocked I hadn't experienced the activity earlier. I'm lucky to live in Southern California where some of the industries most talented designers, instructors, and performers reside and the SCPA (Southern California Percussion Alliance) show I witnessed is a showcase of that talent. The level of performance is flat out amazing and I urge everyone to attend a show if they have the time. I was a low brass player and one of the reasons I enjoyed high school marching band and drum corps was the camaraderie you get to share with your fellow performers. Thinking back on that time, my closest friends were members of the horn line. While watching indoor percussion groups I realize that the drummer is a different bread of performer.
The members who compete in the indoor arena are all under 22 years of age. Many of them attend school and/or work, they pay a tuition fee to have the experience, and they rehearse around 12 to 25 hours a week for a five to seven minute show.
Sitting in the stands this past week at the WGI Corona Regional I really enjoyed the vibe. Excited drum corps crowds hoot and holler when the horn line plays something amazing, or the drum line lays down a fat lick, or the guard throws rifles in the air and catch together with a snap! The indoor percussion thing is much cooler in every sense of the word. Fans seem to dig the vibe, the groves and the beats. They still give it up when the entire snare line plays an amazing sequence synchronized perfectly, however, they seem to be enjoying the show on a different level. If you get a chance to attend a show, check out the bobbing heads in the stands, its as frequent as many of the performers.
I am thoroughly enjoying the little bit of time I've spent with indoor percussion. I encourage everyone to get out on a Saturday and spend some time with it, you won't be disappointed.