Thank you for your interest in joining IMPACT Percussion for our 2021 season.
We are excited to get started!

IMPACT Percussion plans to participate in WGI’s 2021 Virtual Season. Above all, we want to create a safe, fun, and positive environment for all members, staff, and volunteers. We know everyone is eager to get together, rehearse, and perform again, and we remain committed to creating a memorable and meaningful season, but please understand that the 2021 will look different. We have plans in place and goals for the season. However, please be aware that things may change, as we will put the health and safety of everyone in our ensemble before anything else – even if that means changing our direction and plans mid-season.

Our goal is to put a show together that members will learn the music for, and we will create a video submission of our musical performance for WGI’s Large Group Competition (10+ members).

There will be auditions for the season. However, we want to find a home in the group for everyone who is committed to being a part of our 2021 ensemble. We are also planning to have a Visual Ensemble.

Important Links

Auditions
Auditions for the 2021 season will be held virtually. All prospective members will need to submit an audition video.

Please make a video of yourself playing the instrument you would like to audition for. Audition videos should be between 4 – 10 minutes in length. What you play in the audition video is up to you, but your video should be a good representation of your skills as a musician/percussionist/performer. You are encouraged to play exercises from the audition packet at various tempos. You can also play excerpts from previous marching band, drum corps, or indoor shows you have been involved in, etc. We don’t expect your audition video to have high production value. However, we should be able to clearly see and hear you. Please upload the video to YouTube (this should be an unlisted video), and enter the link in the Audition Registration Form.

*Audition Videos are due Sunday, November 29th

Visual Ensemble
We plan to incorporate a Visual Ensemble into this year’s group performance. Those auditioning for a spot in the Visual Ensemble should also submit an audition video. Visual Ensemble audition videos should be between 1 – 4 minutes in length. There are no specific requirements of what to include in the video. However, it should be a good representation of your dance, movement, and performance skills. This is your opportunity to show us what you can do!

After Auditions
After staff review your audition video, they will reach out to you, letting you know your status with the ensemble. Everyone will receive personalized feedback, and a notification stating one of the three options below:

  1. Congratulations! You have earned a spot in the 2021 ensemble
  2. We’d like to call you back to submit a second audition video
  3. We recommend you audition for another instrument

Audition Cost
There is no cost to audition for the 2021 season.

After the Audition Process is Complete
We plan to finalize the group no later than Sunday, December 6th. Once the ensemble is set, we will hold a group Zoom call so all members and staff can meet each other. We will also create a Facebook group for all members and staff. We will share music in this group, and it will be used for other important announcements.

Rehearsals / Season Schedule
The schedule for the season is still being finalized. However, based on health and safety guidelines, we anticipate it may look something like this:

December 2020
– Show music is passed out
– Weekly sectional rehearsals will take place virtually. *Schedules will be flexible based on the availability of everyone in your section. For example, the Bass Line might meet on Zoom on Wednesdays from 6 – 8 pm, and the Marimbas might meet every Friday from 10 am – 12 pm.

January 2021
– As allowed, in-person sectional rehearsals may take place
– As allowed, multiple sections may begin rehearsing in-person together (snares and tenors / marimbas and vibes / etc.)

February 2021
– As allowed, larger ensemble rehearsals may take place (full battery / full front ensemble)
– As allowed, full ensemble rehearsals may take place

March 2021
– As allowed, full ensemble rehearsals may continue to take place
– Full ensemble video shoot for Prelims competition to take place this month (all video shoots for competitions will be one camera, one take)
– A second video shoot may also take place later this month if we advance to Semis

April 2021
– A third video shoot may take place in early April if we advance to Finals

Rehearsal Logistics
There will be no overnight camps this season. If we are able to get-together in person for large group rehearsals, these will be done on Saturdays. Group Saturday rehearsals will take place from 10 am – 7 pm in Kennewick, WA, with a lunch break from 2 – 3 pm. Because we will be limited with our time together, it will be important for you to learn music on your own / with your section, and come to rehearsals fully prepared to play with the group. A more detailed scheduled is still being finalized and will be released soon.

The 2021 Show
Our 2021 group production will be music-based, with no traditional drill, costumes, or props. However, there may be opportunities to add body movement/choreography for the battery and front ensemble if time and restrictions allow. Think about it like a lot performance with lot drill. The Visual Ensemble will be integrated into the “lot” performance to add a visual element to the show. When we record our performance for WGI’s Group Competition, we will wear something uniform (most likely jeans and our 2021 member jerseys). The length of the show will most likely be shorter than a full show for a normal season (around 3 – 4 minutes long).

*We also plan to record some high-quality, multi-cam videos of our warm-up exercises.

Back-Up Plan
If we are unable to get together in person to rehearse and/or record a full ensemble video of our show, our video production team will come to you. We will shoot videos of each section and/or individual members performing the show we’ve all been working on and we will edit those videos together to create a unique video submission for WGI’s eShowcase event (non-competitive).

2021 Season Fee / Payments
The member fee for the 2021 season is still being finalized as it will depend on the number of members in the group. However, we are looking at the fee being somewhere between $300 – $500. This fee will cover the cost of music, instructional staff, video production work, jerseys for all members, competition entry fees, sticks, mallets, drum heads, and more. Members will be able to pay the fee through multiple installments throughout the season.

Safety Guidelines & Protocols
Once/If we are able to get together in-person, we will announce Safety Guidelines and Health Protocols for all staff, members, and volunteers to follow. We will follow all guidance and recommendations from our local health department and we will adhere to any state mandates. Our number one priority is to keep everyone safe.

Resources & Info from WGI
Competitive Opportunities (Solo, Small Ensemble, Large Group Ensemble)
Non Competitive Opportunities (eShowcase, and more)

FAQ:

What are the age requirements/limits to participate in WGI’s Large Group Competition?

From WGI: “Performer age limits – by division, and class – will follow the Official WGI 2020 Rules, and includes the COVID Extended Eligibility clause. The WGI Board of Directors extend the eligibility for one year only, during the 2021 competitive season, for performers who were members of independent units as of March 11, 2020.”

What class will we compete in?

IMPACT Percussion plans to compete in the Independent Open class.

I am interested in participating in WGI’s Virtual Solo and/or Small Ensemble competition. Can IMPACT help me?

Absolutely! Staff members can offer guidance and assistance as you create and fine-tune your performance, we can let you borrow instruments, we can record your submission for you, and more. Please contact: director@impactpercussion.org with any specific questions or requests, or feel free to reach our to your Caption Head.

Is it possible for me to borrow an instrument from IMPACT for my virtual audition?

Yes, this is possible. Please email director@impactpercussion.org if you are interested in borrowing an instrument during the virtual audition process, and potentially beyond if you make the ensemble.

Will my family and friends be able to watch the virtual competitions?

Yes! All virtual competitions will be broadcast on multiple weekends between February – April on FloMarching. We will let you know which date(s) will feature our performance(s).

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If you have any other specific questions about auditioning for the ensemble or the 2021 season, you can email director@impactpercussion.org. We are looking forward to a great season!