Hampton's indoor percussion ensemble heading to Indianapolis for regional competition

Hampton High School’s indoor percussion ensemble will head to Indianapolis later this month to compete in a regional percussion competition.

The competition, hosted by World Guard International, will take place between Feb. 28 and March 2. Hampton will be the sole group from Pennsylvania to compete.

Charlie Houck, director of the ensemble, said students are “very excited” for the trip. It will be the first time, he said, that the group has competed outside of local competitions. World Guard International is the “big leagues” of percussion ensemble, he said.

The indoor ensemble was formed four years ago, mainly in an effort to keep marching band members playing during the winter off-season, Houck said. Though it started with only 12 members, he said it has grown to 27 players.

The five-minute performance the ensemble plans to offer also involves theatrical elements, Houck said.

“It’s definitely more than just drums in a gym. There’s definitely an emotional tie and a performance aspect,” he said.

Called “I Love You to the Moon and Back,” the performance tells the story of two snare drummers. One goes on a trip to the moon and another stays behind on Earth. But the snare on the moon soon becomes homesick and returns to the love they left behind back home, Houck said.

Houck said the show will focus of the “excitement” of a homebound journey and reembracing loved ones.

The show involves “a lot of moving parts” as students move around during the performance and the tone shifts throughout, he said. While the students are nervous for the higher level of competition, Houck said it only “means they care.”

Braden Krysinski, a Hampton junior, plays the marimba, a wooden percussion instrument similar to a xylophone.

He said the ensemble still a lots of work to do, but so far they have been doing “pretty well,” he said.

Since his instrument is not especially mobile, Krysinski said he does not move much during performances. But he does have to change facial expressions and body motions to “convey the tone or mood of the music,” he said.

A sophomore at Hampton, Meredith Wallace said she is “excited” for the competition and has appreciated developing her craft during preparations.

“I really enjoy the long rehearsals because we get to be focused for a long time,” said Wallace, also a marimba player. “It’s not relaxing exactly, but it’s nice to be so focused on one thing and really refining the music.”

At the competition, Houck said students will compete in an initial round of 16 groups. Based on judge scores, Hampton may be one of eight groups that progress to the finals stage the next day.

High school band director Chad Himmler said he is “extremely proud” of the ensemble and its staff for the consistent work required to prepare for the competition.

“It’s a labor of love and dedication for the students and staff,” Himmler said.