After a two-year break from competition, the Harrison High School Indoor Percussion (HIPE) ensemble returned with a BANG, finishing third in the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association (GIPA) PSA Division at Denmark Hight School.
Performing their 2022 competition show, Can't Stand Still, the HIPE team earned a trip to the competition finals with an outstanding routine in the preliminary round. The group’s 2022 show features music by Alanis Morissette and an upbeat message of bright futures through perseverance.
Harrison’s indoor percussion ensemble includes nearly 30 musicians, all playing percussion instruments. A stationary frontline or “pit” includes keyboards, marimbas, drum sets and other immobile instruments. The remainder of the unit or “battery” performs intricate marching and choreography-style routines while playing a variety of mobile percussion instruments including drums and cymbals. Indoor percussion routines blend elements of music performance, marching, and choreography, resulting in a unique experience often referred to as “percussion theater.”
At GIPA-hosted events, high school percussion ensembles compete with like-sized schools in judged preliminary and finals performances. Between rounds, experienced judges provide performance critiques designed to improve music, general effect, and overall performance.
Harrison’s HIPE group features 10 seniors competing in their final year of high school competition. The group is led by Jeffrey Hope and Colby Kuzontkoski, both percussion instructors for Harrison Bands.
The next HIPE performance is Feb. 26 at a GIPA competition at North Forsyth HS. The HIPE group will perform in other Atlanta-area GIPA events before concluding its season at the Winter Guard International championships in Dayton, OH.
Comments / 0