Starting in November, the Gateway Indoor Programs, Color Guard and Percussion, begin having rehearsals, learning new music, and practicing their shows to get ready for their stellar performances in the competition season!
Gateway’s music program expands outside of school and classes. Open to students grades 7-12, these programs let students explore their musical interests while meeting great people along the way! Some of the best connections I have built were built through the Indoor programs.
Color Guard? Which Colors Need Guarding?
The Indoor Color Guard is directed by Kiersten Cocuzza, with assistant director Jaclyn Ottmuller.
Color Guard is a sport based in dance, flag spinning, weapons (like fake rifles and sabers) and exciting performance. The members perform beautiful shows, using props and equipment to tell stories. Shows range from catchy and upbeat, to melancholic and slow.
(And, no, there is no real “guarding” involved in Color Guard. The only things that need protecting are the high quality floors and equipment. Why did they name it that? Ask the inventor of the sport.)
Senior Jadyn Bennett has been participating in the Color Guard for 4 years.
When asked about what she was looking forward to this season she answered, “I’m excited for the teamwork that we’ll have. We had a really great team last year, and we have most of the [same] people this year, so I’m really excited for that.”
Last year, the Guard came home with two medals dangling around their necks; one gold from Regionals, and one silver from Finals in Wildwood. This was the first time Gateway Guard has meddled in over a decade! The students who returned are putting in the work for another stellar season.
Guard director Kiersten Cocuzza reports, “Because of where we placed last year, we have a new competitive mindset as a group.”
Shaping Students Into Sirens
Cocuzza, and her spinning students, have big plans and high hopes for this season.
“We are doing a Sirens of The Sea production this year. Using a lot of blues and oceanic colors, the guard will be performing as Sirens, essentially luring in the people they once loved.”
Sirens are portrayed as scary, mysterious creatures in stories and mythology. So, Cocuzza plans to use this show to highlight their alluring beauty.
The show will feature flag work, rifles, and elegant dance and movement. Decorations and props will turn the performance floor into a dazzling ocean, and costumes, hair, and makeup will turn the members into their own, perfect Sirens. They’ll be sure to lure in any audience members into the world they create within the song.
Bang! Starts the Percussion Season
The Indoor Percussion is directed by Don Simpson, with assistant director Korey Ottmuller. You might recognize Mr. Simpson, as he’s the band teacher here! This program is a special type of band, being that all the instruments are percussion! While you won’t find a trumpet or clarinet in these shows, you’ll find impressive instruments like marimbas, chimes, and of course, a banger drum set.
Junior Logan Ciaccia plays in the Percussion, both in Indoor Percussion, Outdoor Marching Band, and the band class here at Gateway.
I asked Logan about his favorite parts of Indoor Percussion, and he reported, “The practices, and messing around with everyone there. The chill environment…” Logan also added, “Korey.”
It’s Showtime, Baby! Ft. Don Simpson
Don Simpson has been the band director here at Gateway for eight years. He has worked as a Percussion Director since 2002, and has worked or taught at sixteen high schools! This season will be a great one for him to show the world what his percussion squad is capable of. They have tough competition for local schools, but that hasn’t stopped them before, and won’t stop them now.
The percussionist’s show has been chosen! It is a wondrous piece called “Sche-hiznit” by Jim Wunderlitch.
Simpson described their show, “So, it’s Scheherazade. It is based off of the main character in Arabian Nights, and the whole concept of the show is that she is a percussionist. So, the show, as it moves, goes very quickly in and out of different concepts. It’s kind of like ADHD percussion.”
Fun shows like those tend to get great attention from the competition judges. Last season, the Percussion medaled, too! Gold from Regionals, and shiny silver from Finals. The Guard and Percussion were twinning brightly!
Simpson himself is a percussionist, stating, “I like specifically… I like teaching just percussion. It’s my instrument.” He is excited to see what the students who have never done percussion before are capable of under his teaching. He loves giving these students opportunities to shine, and as he says it, “taking the music that’s written and bringing it to life.”
A Program of Possibilities
Being in a Gateway program allows tight friendships to be built. With the Percussion and Guard, you spend weekly practices, as well as long show days, with your teammates. The band ends up feeling like a second family to you. It’s a community fostered by hard work and growth, and supporting your team!
At the end of each season, in late April or early May, the performing students take a trip down to the Wildwood Shore for their Finals competition, in the Tournament Indoor Association Championships! They perform their shows in a beautiful, giant arena with hundreds of spectators!
In their off time, they explore the boardwalk with friends, hang at the hotel, and rehearse their shows to perfection. They also watch shows from other units, whether scholastic, open/professional, or even junior units, made for young kids! Watching other group’s hard work helps the performers to reflect and improve, and show support to programs of the Arts.
Students miss a small handful of school days for this trip, but it’s always worth it to walk back through the school doors with a shiny dangle and a show they’re proud of.
It’s Not A Phase, Mom, It’s A Sport!
I have been spinning with the Guard here at Gateway since Fall of ‘22, making this my third season. I have worked under fantastic coaches, been mentored by my upperclassmen, and found myself a family in the Color Guard. My advice to anyone who is interested in music, or dance, or any form of performance sport is: Go for it!
There are tons of valuable skills and connections that can be made, not only at Gateway, but all around you. From conquering stage fright, to physical exercise, to getting in touch with your creative side, exploring music programs can open new doors for students wanting to dabble around and find what they love.
Are you a high school or middle school student who wants to try a hand at performing music for crowds, putting on a great show, and having friends & fun? Reach out to Don Simpson in the band room! The Indoor programs meet twice a week for practice, with show days on the weekends. It’s guaranteed to show you new things and open new doors you didn’t know were possible here at Gateway.
