Indoor percussion is a competitive group that travels around the Dayton area and competes against other high school groups. It uses the concepts of music performance, marching and theater to create a 5 minute show. We march snare, tenors, bass drum, flubs and cymbals. There is also the opportunity to play in the front ensemble where the instruments are marimba, vibes, bells, xylophone, auxiliary percussion, synth, guitar/bass guitar, timpani, chimes and drumset. With the show we are doing this year, there is also the opportunity to be the visual member. You would not be playing an instrument rather helping tell the story the show is trying to tell. If there are multiple people interested in being the visual member, we can take on more and have a full visual ensemble.

Students in 7th Grade to 12th grade may audition for one of the 25 spots in XIPE. Music auditions will be held on Thursday November 9th starting at 3:30 pm in the band room. Sign ups will be posted in the band room on Monday November 6th after school. If you are wanting to audition for more than 1 instrument, please sign up for 2 time slots.

For those wishing to audition for battery/visual, there will be a separate audition/movement block on Friday November 10th. This will start at 3:30 pm and go until 5 pm.

 Final placements will be posted in the band room on Monday November 13th.

It is my goal to allow everyone who auditions to join the ensemble. We do not have as many instruments available for the number of students who may want to join. I will do everything I can to allow everyone to participate but there is a chance that not everyone will be able to join this season if there is a large turnout. Placement in the group will be determined by:

1. Student is currently a percussionist (first spots will go to these students due to their main instrument being percussion)

2. Playing/marching (battery) ability during auditions

3. Conduct during marching band and concert/symphonic band (if you are a student who struggles to stay focused during band and give it your best effort every minute you are on the field, it is difficult for me to trust that things will change just because of this being a different group)

Once placements are posted, they are final. The only changes would be due to someone revoking their audition after getting placed on an instrument they did not want. If you decide to do this, you are not only hurting the success of the band, but you are hurting your chance to grow as a musician. I will not place you on an instrument where you might fail and get discouraged. I will place you on an instrument that I feel best fits your ability and your needs. If you are not in agreement with the placement, please schedule a meeting with me so we can discuss the reasoning behind the placement.

Jeff Blair - jblair@xeniaschools.org

Fees for the season are $150-$200 depending on your position in the ensembleand can be paid on the website. Fees will be used for purchasing the uniform and marching shoes for this season for you to wear at shows. We are not using drill masters. After this season, you will have the opportunity to keep your shoes for next season. We had some members misplace shoes last year. If you lose your shoes, you will have to pay for them to be replaced. No other alternate black shoe can be used. We will all look uniform and professional at every show.

When registering, payment plans are available through PayPal and other check out tools.