According to Craig Kazda, president of Keystone Indoor Drill Association (KIDA), which is overseen by WGI (Winter Guard International), KIDA got its start as an organization in 1981. Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) started taking part as a stationary concert percussion program in 2013, but in 2018, the group began participating in the competition that involves movement and drills similar to marching band. The school now sports both an indoor competitive percussion ensemble and an indoor competitive color guard program. The two programs are overseen by Kazda and CVHS director of bands Brandon Nase. The color guard director is Callie Wendell, who is assisted by Kurstin Christaldi.
The percussion ensemble meets in the CVHS on Tuesday evenings to practice. The 24-member group consists of a stationary pit, or front ensemble, including marimbas, vibraphones, and other percussion instruments that do not move easily. In the battery, or drumline, are drums and other moveable percussion instruments. In addition, a guitar is utilized as part of the show, and narration and vocal lines are added to enhance the story. "(The narration and vocals) help bridge the gaps in the story line for the audience," explained Kazda. "It's a full immersive experience at an auditory and visual level." An advanced sound system to mix the music was provided by a grant from the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation.
The group performs in much the same way a marching band does on a field. A digitally printed floor tarp is utilized for the marchers. In competition, the group has nine minutes to unfold the tarp, set up, perform, and fold the tarp back up.
For 2019, the group began practicing a show called "Breathe" in November of 2018, about two weeks following the end of outdoor marching band. "'Breathe' encapsulates the understanding that every breath we take is important and valuable," explained Kazda. He noted that the show explores the relationship between breathing and emotions. "Breathing can indicate calm, excitement, frustration, and power," Kazda explained, noting that the focus is on the common bonds that humans share.
"(The show) gives us an opportunity to do something educationally at a music and arts level, but it's also an opportunity to teach a life lesson to the students," said Kazda. "As musicians, artists, and performers, we have the ability to communicate those stories, (and when) audience members listen, (they can) share in the common experience."
Also on Tuesday nights, 16 color guard members rehearse their own show in the Gerald G. Huesken Middle School gym. Wendell, who has been working with the CVHS guard since 2016, brought more than 10 years of guard experience to the program, including being a member of the guard at Lebanon Valley College.
The drill, which utilizes the One Republic song "I Lived," was written by Wendell and tells a story with recorded music and the guard using six-foot flags, rifles, and sabers. "(The drill) is about everything (we) go through in life and coming out feeling accomplished," explained Wendell, who added that a ladder will be part of the set to symbolize movement to the top. The guard will have seven minutes to perform. "Our show is just shy of four minutes, so that leaves three minutes for setup and takedown," Wendell said.
According to Wendell, one of the biggest challenges of the program is devising a drill that will hold audience interest and work with students from a variety of skills and experience. "It's finding how that dynamic all fits to create one show," she noted.
Connie Feeser, president of the CVHS band booster organization, noted that the students have attended competitive events at Central Dauphin School District and Cumberland Valley School District and in York County. An event was held at CVHS on March 16, a full-dress performance was held at CVHS for family and friends to enjoy on March 28, and championships were held on March 31 in Chambersburg.
Leave a Review