What is Indoor Percussion? What is IMPA? Where does the ensemble sit?
Indoor Percussion is a scholastic based extra-curricular activity involving, primarily, instruments from the percussion family.
IMPA stands for Intermountain Percussion Association which is the competitive circuit that is responsible for the competitions in Utah.
IMPA has two major categories: Marching and Concert. Within these categories are subdivisions; Novice-class, A-class, Open-class and World-class.
The Alta Indoor Ensemble is a Scholastic Marching A-class ensemble. This means we are supported by a school to compete in the beginner class and we march.
What makes up the Ensemble? What is the season like? When are rehearsals? When Are Auditions?
The ensemble is comprised of the percussion section that one would see during the marching band season. Marching drums (snare, bass, quad, cymbals) and non-moving mallet and percussion (marimba, xylophone, drum set, timpani).
The season for the program consists of after school rehearsals, Saturday rehearsals and all-day Saturday Competitions.
Members will be learning a marching and music program that will be taken to various competitions in Utah.
Rehearsals times are given the largest amount of scrutiny from the Band Director and the Program Director before the start of every season to ensure that the ensemble is given the greatest opportunity to use the school’s facilities to the fullest potential for the season. This includes time to get into the school gyms.
Auditions are part of a two-week process. An audition packet will be available shortly.
First round of auditions is December 7th and 8th, 2016 from 4-6pm
The second round of auditions is December 13th and 15th, 2016 4-7pm
Auditions are designed to give staff a chance to see how much growth the students are able to achieve from week to week. Students who show the most growth are considered for desirable positions.
Our first rehearsal will be January 4th, 2017 after school.
When do membership fees have to be paid?
The final cost for participation in 2017 is $350
January 30th - $100 Due
February 28th - $100 Due
March 30th - $100 Due
April - $50 Due (or remaining balance)
Membership fees are the backbone of this program and pay for the various expenses that occur during the season (i.e. replacing drum heads, buying sticks, paying for transportation of members and equipment).
What is the best way for me to contact the program director and to get information about the day-to-day operations of the program?
This ensemble has its very own PRIVATE Facebook group. This is the fastest and easiest way for the directors to disburse information to ensemble members. Text messages will also be sent out to ensemble section leaders as another form of last minute information disbursement.
We will also be contacting parents via email periodically throughout the season for annoucments, chaperones needed, and other important information. Feel free to respond to that email or contact the following:
Contact information for the Percussion Director:
Mr. Charles Jensen: Cell phone :719-271-7823 Email: [email protected]
When are the competitions and what are they like?
Competitions are an all-day affair. Similar to marching band, students will report to the band room at the required time, load onto the school bus, arrive at the competition area, unload, warm-up, preform, load the equipment truck and spend the rest of time watching other groups until the final scores are announced. Once scores are announced, students will get on the bus to back to the high school, unload the equipment truck and head home. The program will need chaperones to ride the bus and facilitate students at the competitions.
Competition season for the ensemble starts in February and ends in April. Competition dates are:
February 18th
February 3rd Halftime @AHS Boys Basketball vs Provo
February 16th Halftime @AHS Girls Basketball vs Skyridge
March 3rd
March 17th
March 25th
April 8th (State Finals @ SLCC)
Competitions are an all-day affair. Similar to marching band, students will report to the band room at the required time, load onto the school bus, arrive at the competition area, unload, warm-up, preform, load the equipment truck and spend the rest of time watching other groups until the final scores are announced. Once scores are announced, students will get on the bus to back to the high school, unload the equipment truck and head home. The program will need chaperones to ride the bus and facilitate students at the competitions.
The Alta Staff is very excited about the potential that this season has and are motivated to give ensemble members the best education possible. If there are any questions regarding the season, please contact me. Thank you