With the end of fall and winter sports and the start of spring athletics, Gateway High School is buzzing with activity. Add in rehearsals for the upcoming Mean Girls musical production this March, and it is easy for some programs to be overlooked. Yet one of the most dynamic and demanding groups at Gateway is already making waves this season: Gateway’s Indoor Percussion and Indoor Color Guard. After an exciting and successful 2025 season, both groups have returned for 2026 stronger, more focused, and ready to raise the bar—and their first competition results prove it.
Indoor Percussion —”Wait for me, I’m coming.”
(Ace Smith)
Those words echo the heart of the 2026 GRHS Indoor Percussion production, inspired by the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Hadestown. The show retells the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In the story, Orpheus, a gifted musician, falls deeply in love with Eurydice. When she is lured into the Underworld by Hades, Orpheus bravely follows, determined to bring her back with the power of his music. However, he is given one condition: he must lead Eurydice out without looking back at her. In a tragic moment of doubt, he turns, losing her forever. It is a story about love, trust, hope, and the consequences of hesitation—powerful themes that translate seamlessly into music and movement.
Led by Indoor Percussion Director Don Simpson and Assistant Director Korey Ottmuller, the five-and-a-half-minute production, titled “Orpheus,” is divided into three movements: “Underworld”, “Eurydice,” and “Legend.” Each segment captures a different emotional chapter of the myth. “Underworld” sets a dark, driving tone, filled with intensity and tension. “Eurydice” shifts into a more lyrical and expressive style, highlighting vulnerability and longing. Finally, “Legend” builds toward a dramatic and energetic conclusion, symbolizing the timelessness of Orpheus’s story and the enduring power of music.
Musically, the program is both intricate and demanding. The show features rapid sixteenth-note runs, complex double-stroke passages, frequent tempo changes, and stylistic contrasts that challenge performers’ precision and endurance. Members transition between instruments mid-performance, requiring not only technical mastery but also seamless coordination. Beyond playing the notes, performers are tasked with visually representing the music’s dynamics—lowering their bodies during decrescendos and rising during crescendos to amplify the emotional effect. Strong facial expressions and controlled body movement add another layer of storytelling, transforming the performance from a concert into a theatrical experience.
The ensemble rehearses twice a week—and three times during competition weeks—to perfect every musical phrase and visual detail. Each practice focuses on refining timing, balancing sound, strengthening transitions, and enhancing the overall effect. The commitment is clear: every member contributes to building a cohesive, polished production.
“Orpheus” made its competitive debut with its first part, “Underworld,” on February 21, 2026, at Millville Senior High School. Returning members and newcomers alike were eager to take the floor. For seniors Billy Breining, Logan Ciaccia, and Christopher Meeks, it marked their final first show—an emotional milestone in their musical careers while being in high school.
The day began with a morning rehearsal at Gateway to solidify details and lock in performance energy. After arriving at Millville, the group efficiently unloaded the truck and assembled their equipment, including the five-octave marimba and two percussion racks. In the practice gym, they completed two strong full runs before stepping into the competition space. The Indoor Color Guard supported the percussion ensemble throughout the day, assisting with equipment setup and transitions and helping reload instruments after the performance—a testament to the teamwork shared between the programs.
Following their performance, members quickly disassembled and packed their instruments before heading to the awards ceremony. When results were announced for the Scholastic Open Stationary Percussion class, GRHS Indoor Percussion earned first place with an impressive score of 73.4. An eight-point increase from last season’s debut score of 65.2! The jump reflects months of preparation, growth, and heightened performance quality. The victory set a confident tone for the remainder of the season and demonstrated that this year’s show has both competitive strength and emotional impact.
After celebrating their achievement, the percussion ensemble returned the support, assisting the Indoor Color Guard with equipment and cheering them on during their awards ceremony.
Overall, the first competition was a resounding success. With a powerful storyline, technically challenging music, and a clear commitment to excellence, Gateway’s Indoor Percussion has established a strong foundation for the 2026 season. If their debut performance is any indication, “Orpheus” is only just beginning its journey—and the legend is sure to grow.
Indoor Color Guard —“If I lose my temper, you lose your head! Understand?”
The 2026 GRHS Indoor Color Guard program performance is a fun spin on a classic tale, the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, focusing on the reasons and the backstory in which the ruthless Queen turned so malicious– a heartbreak that led to some heads being chopped off!
Led by Indoor Guard director Kiersten Cocuzza and her assistant Jaclyn Ottmuller, “Before the Crown Bled” is a three-and-a-half minute showcase with danced choreography, flagwork, and sabers set within the context of the Queen of Hearts’ past, who is portrayed by senior member Frankie Hargrove. Visually, the show will feature many traditional elements from depictions of the Queen of Hearts, including the appearance of playing cards, props, crowns, and various shades of reds, blacks, and golds.
The musical aspect of the program is the song, “I See Red,” by Everybody Loves An Outlaw, a sultry rock tune about betrayal and revenge that fits the Queen of Hearts and the creative vision perfectly. Mixed in with it are iconic quotes included from the Queen that set the atmosphere and contextualize the storyline of the program.
The Color Guard is incredibly excited to be putting on this program, with members meeting together and rehearsing twice weekly to prepare for Tournament Indoor Association competitions on the weekends. Nailing down performance qualities, choreography, and technique is key to a successful competition.
The excited performers’ first debut of “Before the Crown Bled” took place on February 21st, 2026, located at Millville Senior High School! Team energy was as high as the sky when the students arrived at Gateway bright and early on Saturday.
First, a brief rehearsal was held moring of at Gateway to get the members prepared and refine each detail that would be brought out for the crowd. Upon arriving at Millville, the color guard first assisted the Indoor Percussion in the movement of their instruments and equipment, watching and cheering their musical counterparts from the stands while they put on an excellent first run. Keep it up, Percussion!
Later, preparations for a perfect first show day began– hair styling, makeup, and early costuming (show blacks, until the ordered uniforms arrive) were all put into motion by the group within an assigned classroom at Millville. A great bonding opportunity arose as the students assisted each other with the cosmetology and got to know more about their newest teammates. Students range in age from twelve to eighteen within the GRHS Guard, so team-building moments like this to form group memories and work together towards a common goal are truly meaningful.
For fun, secret buddy gifts were also distributed, a tradition within the Color Guard similar to a consistent secret Santa where motivational letters and gifts are handed out from teammate to teammate, privately, on the mornings of performances to raise the energy. The gift exchange is run throughout the whole season, with the big reveal party of “Who Had Who?” taking place during Wildwood Championships, to not spoil the magic too soon.
Finally, the time to perform came. After stretching, running through the show mentally, and going through two phases of warm-ups– Body and Equipment– the Guard took the floor in the Millville gymnasium for TIA competition.
The Gateway Regional Indoor Color Guard proceeded to debut the first minute-and-a-half of “Before The Crown Bled,” and had an excellent run! Tosses were all sent up and caught in sync, the choreography hooked the audience into the storyline being created, and the performers all brought fierce faces to the floor that left the judges wanting more. (More will be added in future weeks, but this debut was an amazing taste test of what the GRHS guard would provide this session!)
Within the Scholastic Novice Guard ranking, the Gateway Color Guard was given a score of 57.24 points, ranking 3rd out of the 7 teams that performed at Millville on Saturday. This scoring knocked the Guard off their feet! Especially considering only a small segment of the program was provided to the judges, it impressed the Guard quite highly how well the first score was.
From here, the Color Guard can only go upwards– many Saturdays from February to April will be spent putting on more finished and polished performances of “Before the Crown Bled,” hoping to continuously improve until Chapter Championships and eventually Tournament Indoor Association Championships in Wildwood, in late April and early May. A gold medal is the wish of Cocuzza and staff this year, and the performers share the same ambition for it.
The GRHS Indoor Percussion and Indoor Guard will be hosting a home show performance at Gateway on April 18th, 2026, and support from the Gateway community would make both teams incredibly hyped up, so consider coming to support the Indoor Programs!
