What is the time commitment for winter percussion?
Unlike Pep, Winter Percussion is a competitive environment, so it’s more of a time commitment. Typically at the beginning of the season you can expect spending somewhere between 3-6 hours a week at rehearsals. Near the end of the season, we might have somewhere between 6 hours per week at the start of the season to 9+ hours torwards the end. Additionally, competition days typically take up the entire day.
How do winter percussion camps work?
The WPI Winter Percussion typically holds two 2-3 day camps that take place at the end of winter and spring break. Camp days are primarly for refining the show and bringing the entire ensemble together.
Most of the camp days are spent in sectionals working on drill/music. At the end of the day is when we group up and ensemble, bringing together the different parts to simulate what an actual performance of our show will be like.
How do competition days work?
On competition days, a morning rehearsal takes place. We work on trouble sections and set up for full runs of the show. We then break for lunch and makeup. At a specific time, we begin loading the truck with instruments and props before we head onto the bus.
Once we arrive at the competition, you’re given the specific time in which we’ll be unloading the truck. Once we unload the truck, we move into a room to briefly rehearse the show before performing. After our performance, we load the truck once again, watch shows, and stay for the awards ceremony. We then return back to WPI, unload the truck to put instruments and props in their proper places, and go home!
Can I join winter percussion without being a WPI student?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to join the WPI Winter Percussion as a non-WPI student.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact gr-winter-perc-exec@wpi.edu!