Idaho State Day of Percussion to Celebrate Marching Arts

The annual event is open to the entire community with a dynamic lineup of performances, workshops, and clinics throughout the day. This day-long festival will engage local high school bands and specifically percussion programs. 

"We are thrilled to bring together such incredible talent and passion for percussion," said Thom Hasenpflug, the event's host. "This day serves as a platform to celebrate the richness of marching arts, offering a diverse range of performances, educational opportunities, and a chance for the community to come together." 

Attendees can anticipate an array of performances and clinics from nationally competitive marching bands and performers, including regional high school showcases and WGI winter line exhibitions featuring RIFT and North Star Independent.

North Star Independent winter line started in 2017 to provide young musicians a safe and inclusive marching arts environment to participate in. Through teamwork and collaboration, the organization provides a platform for members to develop musical, marching, and life skills through competition and exhibition performances. 

Rift Percussion began as a collaborative project through several of the established marching educators in East Idaho. The growth and success of marching arts in the area inspired its creation. Rift is based in Pocatello, but comprised of people from all over the area. Their vision is to create a safe and inclusive educational experience for young performers while creating an environment that is conducive to their individual growth as a player, performer, and person.

Esteemed headlining artists renowned in the field of marching percussion include Colin McNutt of the Boston Crusaders and Lauren Teel of the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. 

The Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, founded in 1940, is the third-oldest junior drum and bugle corps in the nation and a founding member of Drum Corps International. The corps, composed entirely of brass players, percussionists and color guard members under the age of 22, travels over 10,000 miles each summer, performing in more than 40 competitions and exhibitions before a combined audience of over 300,000 fans. The Boston Crusaders are the 2022 DCI Silver Medalists and three-time George Zingali Best Color Guard Award recipients.

The Troopers are the only competitive World Class drum and bugle corps in the state of Wyoming. The corps, founded in 1957 by Casper contractor Jim Jones, represents Wyoming in numerous performance events during the year and participates in the Drum Corps International tour during the summer months.

The Troopers are proud to be a founding member of Drum Corps International. They have been serving the youth of America for nearly 60 years and during that time have held many championship titles, including the World Open, CYO, VFW National, American Legion, North American and DCI regional titles. Aside from summer competition activities, the Troopers have been a popular attraction at professional and collegiate sporting events, including the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Phillies and the United States Air Force Academy. 

The Idaho State Day of Percussion will take place at the ISU Pocatello campus at the Fine Arts Building’s Goranson Hall. Doors will open at 9 a.m., with events scheduled to continue throughout the day. The event is free and door prizes will be given out.

This event is made possible by the generous support of the ISU Cultural Events Council, ISU Department of Music, North Star Independent, Rift Percussion, and several other generous sponsors, including Innovative Percussion, Marimba One, Pearl, Remo, Sabian, Salyers, Vic Firth, Yamaha, and Zildjian.

For more information, please contact Dr. Thom Hasenpflug, Director of Percussion Studies at (208) 282-3636/3705 or email thomhasenpflug@isu.edu.