Winter Percussion Preseason Interview With Hayden Clark
Updated: Feb 5
BV Newsroom
By Zoe Darby
Fair Oaks, CA - February 5, 2026
You might think winter percussion would be just for percussionists, but anyone can try out. Many Bella Vista band students who play wind instruments learn to play percussion instruments for the after school winter program. Winter percussion uses dancing and songs played with only percussion to tell a story. Imagine running around while playing a 40-pound drum!
Senior member and cymbalist Hayden Clark has agreed to share a little bit about his experience in the winter percussion program, as well as what this year’s show is about:
Q: What is winter percussion?
A: Winter percussion is sorta like marching, but it’s indoors, there’s only percussion instruments, and it’s generally on a smaller scale.
Q: What kind of instruments are there?
A: There are two main groups of instruments. One is battery, which is marching percussion like snare drums, bass drums, tenors, and cymbals. The other is the front ensemble, which are the mallets, keyboard, and other instruments that don’t march.
Q: What is the show about?
A: This year’s show is about these people going through a breakup and all the pillars of trust coming down. It’s pretty intense.
Q: What does a normal rehearsal look like for you?
A: There’s usually stretching and warming up our bodies to start, then the rest of rehearsal is spent either cleaning music or drill out on the floor. (Note: ‘drill’ is the step-by-step positioning of each performer, giving the show motion and shape.)
Q: What is the hardest part of winter percussion?
A: The hardest part of winter percussion for me is the quick pace and short time in which everything is learned.
Q: What is the best part of winter percussion?
A: The best part of winter percussion, in my opinion, are the competition days. Performing, messing around, and watching other groups’ shows is always so much fun.
Q: Why did you join winter percussion?
A: I joined winter percussion because of all the upperclassmen hyping it up. They would say how fun it was.
Best of luck to the Bella Vista Winter Percussion team! We hope they have a great season and have fun at every competition. Keep an eye out for the community showcase in spring, where the winter percussion and winter guard will perform!
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