For the past three years, the indoor percussion has been traveling to Dayton, Ohio in order to compete in the biggest competition they can.

The Winter Guard International gathers indoor percussion groups from all over the world and pits them against each other to see who is the best.

“Well, there is a slight difference in the competition this year. There are less competitors than last year, so instead of three rounds, there will only be two: prelims and finals,” senior Shelby Dorner said. “I think, and knock on wood, we will make it to finals. I feel fairly certain of that. I have heard others say they think they will make it in the top ten and even a few people think we will win the whole thing. I hope we do”

The indoor percussion has a rigorous training and practice schedule that keeps the group on the top of their game and ensures they learn the entire routine flawlessly.

“We have been practicing nonstop on Mondays, Thursdays and select Fridays before competitions, and camps over several weekends starting since December. We have three weeks before Dayton and we are practicing during class and during the after school rehearsals on those two days,” senior Olivia Sheil said.

Every year, the band instructors do something a little different to make the show stand out from the past. This year they hired a new dance instructor and became more strict in practice.

“This year we have hired a dance instructor to make our visual ensemble and floor performers the best at what they do. Our practices are more stern and they expect more from us than they did in previous years, but it seems to be paying off greatly,” Dorner said.

Past themes have included a show about tigers living in the wild and a show involving a Chinese emperor, but indoor percussion is changing it up by centering their show around aliens from another planet.

“It’s a little out there, but we are aliens (with costumes based off the aliens from Star Trek) from a foreign planet. The northern lights show in the back of the floor, and we (the aliens) react to the different lights and colors. We have four main colors that we react to: red [is] angry and aggressive, green [is] curious and playful, blue [is] calm, and purple [is] confident and proud,” Dorner said.

Over the years, the shows have become complex in terms of music, blocking, props and costumes.

“This show is by far the best show we have done at Sparkman High School. Our instructors as well as our students are learning so much every year about how to improve the show. Just wait until next year,” Dorner said.

Starting the year with 14 freshman, the indoor percussion has used all of the practices and competitions to give the new members the best experience they can.

“I have seen so much progress from everyone. We have come a long way since marching season and it’s incredible. All of these kids have truly put their whole heart and soul into this group and that’s what truly makes this group great,” Sheil said.