Percussion/Pit at Norwalk High School—an overview

   Percussionists have numerous opportunities to rehearse and demonstrate their talent all year round, starting in July of any school year.

   Once a week starting in July, new and continuing percussionists meet to drill, practice routines and get in shape as an ensemble for the upcoming marching band season.

   In August, marching band camp takes hold for 2 weeks of intense, exciting all-day practice on the new show at Andrews Field in Norwalk.  Percussionists drive the beat of the show and are critical team members.

   From September through the second Saturday in November, marching band (including all percussionists) practices 3 or 4 days a week after school and on Saturdays to fine-tune the show. Percussionists meet separately during the week for a special percussion ensemble practice.  Competition Saturdays are all day events, starting with morning practice and blending into the business of moving gear and students to the competition site. 

   Percussionists have additional opportunity to compete for positions in three Jazz Ensembles during the school year, which practices several days a week after school following the end of marching band season.  There are various concerts and competitions for Jazz Ensembles during the late winter and spring months. 

   Winter Percussion (drumline and pit) is an “open call” for as many pit and percussion students as are available and able.  Practice starts in late January and continues through the April championship, every Friday evening and all day Saturday.

   Competitions follow the Winter Percussion schedule by MAC
 (see: www.musicalartsconference.com)

   The annual Musical (late April/early May) orchestra pit is an additional opportunity for a few percussionists to earn a spot on.  Rehearsals are several days a week after school from February until the show itself, which runs 3 consecutive weekends in late spring. 

 2008 Winter Percussion Notes

• Three years ago, fresh from their championship percussion performance at the Gator Bowl in December 2004, taking an amazing First Place against 15 other schools in the Gator Bowl Percussion Category, 20 percussionists from Norwalk High School formed a Winter Percussion team for the first time and created its first show called “Machines”, which simulated in percussion form the energy, sound and drama of a construction site in progress. The group consisted of 3 Quints, 4 Snares, 4 Bass, and 9 Pit Percussionists.
• The 2008 show is shaping up to be our biggest and best show yet, under the instructional staff of:
• Jeff Smith, Band director
• Steve Conescenti, Caption Head
• Bernie Maleski, Senior staff
• Our Parent coordinator is Dave Mola, with Assistant to the Coordinator Anne Watkins.
• Winter Percussion at NHS is an excellent new opportunity for Norwalk students who have the passion to play in a first-rate percussion ensemble.  It is exciting, good for the body and soul. It pays off at every competition, where drumline and percussion pitters demonstrate thrilling precision, timing, choreography, and musical drama.  Perhaps more importantly, it’s an opportunity for wholesome after-school activity, skill-building, leadership development, and friendships/bonds which can last a lifetime.
• If you or your family have never been to a “percussion competition” (still relatively unknown in the New England area), please come to one of ours. This unique art form which will amaze and excite you

See Winter Percussion Schedule on Schedule Page.