History of The Indiana Percussion Association
Written by Daniel Fyffe and supplemented over the years by many members of the IPA community and members of the Board.
On this page:
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Pre-IPA Years
Before the Indiana Percussion Association existed in reality, it existed in necessity and in the dreams of a few active marching percussion instructors and band directors. The marching percussion instructors, myself included, felt the frustration of beginning each fall marching band season with percussionists whose chops and skills were quite rusty. The annual process of “beginning all over again at square one” was an educational dead- end for the drumline. The percussive and musical skills of the members of the drumline would at best, move forward slowly and would max out upon the graduation of a large class. Only if the educational process for the percussionist could continue in the winter at the same rate that was established in the fall, would the percussion student reach their full musical potential. For percussion instructors in the pre-IPA era, the dream of leading their students into an indoor arena in the dead months of winter to compete and sharpen skills was realized only through a few intermittent performance and competition opportunities. For band directors with the vision to see that other opportunities could be provided for their percussion students, the idea of indoor percussion and an Indiana indoor percussion circuit was a necessity. Transporting their students to various out of state contests and looking for opportunities at home was a beginning, but an Indiana indoor percussion circuit was needed.
In the pre-IPA days of Indiana indoor percussion, creative directors found home grown indoor performance opportunities for their marching drumlines including half-time shows at basketball games and exhibition performances at winter guard competitions. The world of indoor marching competition was heating up by the late 1970’s. DCI was entertaining the notion of a winter color guard circuit and in 1978, Winter Guard International, today’s top pageantry circuit in the nation, was formed. WGI began as a color guard (winter guard) only club. It would not be until 1993 that its founders fulfilled their vision and added percussion units.
Before IPA was formed Indiana ensembles participated in regional competitions. 1988, East Noble HS competes in the Spartan Percussion Festival in Glenbrook, IL.
While the indoor activity was stirring in the color guard world, innovative percussion instructors and band directors were creating independent indoor contests for their drumlines. The granddaddy of this event was the Glenbrook Spartan Marching Percussion Festival organized by future WGI Hall of Fame member Ward Durrett. Drumlines from Indiana including Goshen High School (1992 champion) found the drive to the Chicago suburban school of Glenbrook acceptable. The nineteen-year reign of this contest began in 1980 and ended in 1998.
In the late 1980’s independent indoor contests were popping up throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Perhaps the most famous was the Morehead State University “A Day of Marching Percussion”. The Morehead State University Contest, hosted by Frank Oddis, ran from 1983 through 1998. The Morehead State University “A Day of Marching Percussion” became the model for many other independent indoor drumline contests and would have a great influence on the Indiana Percussion Association. The Center Grove High School Indoor Drumline was very successful at this contest.
Drumlines from Indiana were successfully competing in a number of Midwest indoor percussion contests. The indoor drumlines of Indiana quickly proved themselves on the national stage. Indiana, with a rich history of marching percussion, connections with the birth (and future home) of the Percussive Arts Society and an innovative percussion education program, established itself as a center of the indoor percussion activity.
The Percussive Arts Society was the first national organization to sponsor an indoor drumline percussion competition. The Percussive Arts Society began hosting competitions in 1982 as part of PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention. The Center Grove High School Indoor Drumline of Greenwood won this competition in Nashville. At the same time that Center Grove was blazing a trail for Indiana indoor drumlines, Warsaw High School in Northern Indiana was gaining notoriety on the national indoor drumline competition scene. In 1993, Warsaw won the Bands of America Indoor Drumline Competition that was part of the Bands of America National Marching Band Competition held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Warsaw High School competing in the BOA Indoor Drumline Competition
Many Indiana high school drumlines were seeking out and finding a variety of indoor performances opportunities. Records of these events are scarce and most of the early indoor drumline performances are now recorded only in the memories of those who had the opportunity to participate in such events. Besides Goshen High School, Warsaw High School and Center Grove High School, other Indiana schools were participating in indoor drumline competitions including Blue River Valley High School, Sheridan High School, Clay City High School, Martinsville High School, Franklin Central High School, Northview High School, etc.
By 1993, Winter Guard International was sponsoring a national indoor percussion competition and in 1994, Indiana had its first entry in the national competition. In 1994, the Wheaters independent indoor drumline placed 2nd in the competition. In 1995, Indiana returned to the Winter Guard International Championships with the Wheaters and two high school units, Laporte High School and Avon High School. Avon High School would become one of the most successful high school drumlines in the history of the WGI circuit and the model for the innovative three-tier system of classification. In 1996, the Wheaters independent indoor drumline and Avon High School once again returned to WGI. In 1996 Sheridan High School replaced Laporte to complete the trio of Indiana units competing. Avon High School won its first of five Winter Guard International World Titles in 1996! Avon High School’s first WGI World Title was in Percussion Scholastic A class (WGI had adopted the three-tier system by 1996).
Formation of the Indiana Percussion Association
Throughout the late eighties and nineties, many Indiana band directors and percussion instructors kept a continuous dialog about creating an Indiana circuit. In the fall of 1996, Avon High School Band Director Jay Webb sent a letter to Indiana band directors about the formation of an Indiana Indoor Percussion Circuit. On November 23, 1996, an organizational meeting was held at Avon High School. There was an impressive turnout at this meeting. Many precedents and wise decisions were made including the adopting of WGI rules and procedures (with some minor alterations for Indiana). Officers were chosen and possible judging panels were discussed.
The First Officers of IPA
Jay Webb
PresidentMichael Scheiber
Vice PresidentJimmy Haskell
Treasurer & Judge CoordinatorDaniel Fyffe
Secretary
Charter Members
The Indiana Percussion Association began with sixteen charter members:
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Avon High School
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Blue River Valley High School
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Center Grove High School
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Chesterton High School
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Columbia City High School
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Columbus North High School
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Franklin Central High School
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Frankton High School
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Logansport High School
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Mooresville High School
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Owen Valley High School
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Penn High School
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Plymouth High School
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South Bend Adams High School
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Warsaw High School
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Yorktown High School
The first years of any organization are precarious. Not only were the students who participated in the early years of IPA new to the indoor percussion activity, but also the band directors, percussion directors, some judges and the band booster organizations. IPA essentially began with little funding. It was only through the generosity of a few band booster organizations and officers that the organization was able to move forward.
Watch the 10-year anniversary from 2006 interviewing key players and featuring archival footage
IPA Through the Years
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In 1997, the first Indiana Percussion Association State Finals took place at Avon High School on March 22, 1997. The State Finals occurred after two IPA sanctioned invitationals took place. The first was held at Frankton High School on February 15, 1997 and the second occurred at Blue River Valley High School on March 1, 1997.
Units participating in the first IPA state Finals were:
Frankton High School
Franklin Central High School
Mooresville High School
Warsaw High School (State Champions Concert Class)
Columbia City High School
Yorktown High School
Columbus North High School
Avon High School (State Champions AA Marching Class)
Penn High School
Blue River Valley High School (State Champions A Marching Class)
Avon High School returned to the Winter Guard International World Finals and won its second world title in Percussion Scholastic Open Class!
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It seemed that no sooner than the 1997 season ended that the 1998 season was beginning. Instead of repeating the first year and settling for steady growth, IPA undertook a bold initiative. President Jay Webb envisioned a statewide percussion clinic day which would put IPA at the forefront of percussion education in the state of Indiana. IPA Secretary Daniel Fyffe undertook the task of organizing and hosting the first Indiana Percussion Association Clinic Day at Franklin Central High School. Over the years, many national leaders in percussion education would present clinics and concerts at the IPA Clinic Day.
IPA grew greatly in its early years. In 1998, IPA sanctioned five indoor percussion competitions including the state championship which was held at Owen Valley High School. The second state finals consisted of fifteen units.
Franklin Central High School won the Winter Guard International World Title in Concert Class (the first of six). Only after some serious encouragement from IPA judges Kevin Miles and George Hattendorf, did Franklin Central High School decide to participate in WGI competitions.
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In 1999, IPA once again took a bold initiative in which they would continue to demonstrate a commitment to education. IPA adopted the innovative three-tier classification system already used by WGI. In the three-tier system, classes (or divisions) were determined by curriculum, not unit or school size. A unit’s placement in a particular class was determined by the difficulty of the music and skill sets demonstrated.
IPA sanctioned seven competitions including state finals. With three sites being added in the southern part of the state, IPA was spreading out across the state of Indiana. Groups from as far south as Castle High School and as far North as Lake Central High School were participating in IPA events.
The third IPA state finals grew to 24 participating units.
Franklin Central High School won its second Winter Guard International World Title in Concert Class.
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In its fourth season, IPA continued its growth, both numerically and educationally. Thanks to the work of Treasurer Jimmy Haskell, IPA was able to begin offering college scholarships to seniors.
The first IPA scholarship recipients were Jake Hayden of Franklin Central High School and Sarah Whybrew of Mt. Vernon High School (Fortville).
In 2000, IPA also demonstrated its continued commitment to percussion education through the launch of its impressive website, www.indianapercussion.org. The website would not only serve as an outlet for practical information concerning the circuit, it would also include an Education Zone.
The 2000 IPA state finals featured 39 units including an amazing 15 units in concert class.
Franklin Central High School won its third Winter Guard International World Title in Concert Class.
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Perhaps the big story of the 2002 indoor season was IPA’s dominance of the Winter Guard International World Percussion Finals. Five units from Indiana won world titles in 2002. From its beginning, IPA had consistently produced world champions. By participating in numerous indoor percussion invitationals judged by WGI sanctioned adjudicators, IPA units were arriving at world finals prepared and ready to compete. National winners included the newly formed independent group Plan B of Fort Wayne, recurrent world title winners Avon High School and Franklin Central High School, the strong concert program of New Albany High School and the exciting New Palestine High School.
Plan B percussion ensemble from Ft. Wayne became the first percussion Independent Class A from Indiana to win a WGI World Title.
World Champion IPA Ensembles from 2002
Avon HS – PSW (Fourth Title)
Franklin Central HS – PSCW (Fifth Title)
New Albany HS - PSCO
New Palestine HS - PSA
Plan B - PIA
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Perhaps the big story of the 2002 indoor season was IPA’s dominance of the Winter Guard International World Percussion Finals. Five units from Indiana won world titles in 2002. From its beginning, IPA had consistently produced world champions. By participating in numerous indoor percussion invitationals judged by WGI sanctioned adjudicators, IPA units were arriving at world finals prepared and ready to compete. National winners included the newly formed independent group Plan B of Fort Wayne, recurrent world title winners Avon High School and Franklin Central High School, the strong concert program of New Albany High School and the exciting New Palestine High School.
World Champion IPA Ensembles from 2002
Avon HS – PSW (Fourth Title)
Franklin Central HS – PSCW (Fifth Title)
New Albany HS - PSCO
New Palestine HS - PSA
Plan B - PIA
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By 2003, the IPA State Finals are amazingly large. IPA has become the circuit that national percussion adjudicators seek out. The IPA state finals have grown to the point that two alternating judging panels are working the finals.
Indiana was setting the standard in the percussion concert class. Franklin Central High School, New Albany High School and soon Goshen High School were experiencing great success on the WGI circuit, and the number of groups participating in concert class at IPA sanctioned competitions outpaced other state circuits. In 2003, IPA kept consistent with its educational philosophy and added a Concert A Class. To this day, IPA is the only circuit with three divisions for concert class.
Ironically, after the amazing success of 2002 on the national circuit, 2003 was the first year since its inception that IPA did not produce a national champion.
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In 2004, the IPA networking system became an asset for groups heading to San Diego for the WGI World Finals. Three concert units, New Albany High School, Franklin Central High School and Anderson High School teamed up to rent a semi in order to transport equipment to San Diego. Working together at world finals was not new for schools from Indiana. Thanks to the bridges built by IPA, units from Indiana were able to combine equipment onto one truck, share travel information and assist each other loading and unloading during the heavy downpours.
The 2004 State Finals also introduced a new class of units, the independent indoor drumlines. Now, students whose high schools did not sponsor an indoor drumline had an indoor percussion outlet.
Franklin Central High School won its Sixth Winter Guard International World Title in World Concert Class.
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With 2005 came the emergence of Indiana’s first Independent World Group. In similar fashion as IPA’s other accomplishments, the independent group I-2 of Indianapolis rocketed from its beginnings as an Open Class Group to the WGI Finals of Independent World Class. Amazingly, this occurred in a matter of months.
Goshen High School won the WGI PSCO World Title and Center Grove High School won the WGI PSW World Title.
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Written by IPA Historians in 2006: “And here we are, our tenth year. Ten years, a decade, went by in the blink of an eye. The Indiana Percussion Association has seen and undergone many changes. IPA has been a national leader in the indoor activity since its inception. It is to be noted, that an organization is made up of dedicated and hard working individuals. Besides those mentioned, many percussion instructors, band directors, administrators, participants and fans have done their part to insure the continued success of the Indiana Percussion Association. Quicker than we can imagine, another ten years will pass, and another, etc. Enjoy and cherish these moments and those around you! To see what these young people can achieve on the floor is truly unbelievable! To hear and see what the design teams and directors create year after year is amazing! To witness the love and support the parents show their children who participate in this activity is uplifting and inspiring (which I say as an understatement)!”
Center Grove won another WGI World Title in 2006.
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More coming soon!
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More coming soon!
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In 2009 a fourth class, PSAA was created to provide a novice class for schools interested in participation. The new class was successful in attracting several new member ensembles to the organization. This new classification was developed to help ensembles with young performers and educators that had not participated in the IPA previously.
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More coming soon!
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More coming soon!
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More coming soon!
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Legacy Percussion was incorporated as an independent Percussion ensemble and member of the IPA.
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More coming soon!
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2015 introduced classification alignment with WGI and the national circuit. If an ensemble registered for Open Class Movement on the national circuit they were required to align locally in the state
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In 2016 the Board of directors approved a winds division participation to begin participation in the association. IPA’s first Winds competition season was a success and proved that future seasons would see more participation from ensembles across the state.
The 2016 IPA State Finals were held at the ISU Hulman Center in Terre Haute, IN. This was a strategic move by IPA leadership to provide a stadium experience for state finals that mirrors the performance spaces that students will experience on the national circuit. Students, fans and ensemble leaders praised. The Board for the decision to move to a stadium venue for the State Championships event.
Additionally, 2016 marked the inaugural year for the IPA Hall of Fame induction. Jay Webb, Dan Fyffe and Rusty Bottomley were inducted into the inaugural class and were honored during the awards ceremony during state championships.
2016 marked the unexpected passing of longtime IPA Board member Steve Angel. Steve was the longest termed elected member of the board and had touched so many lives through his participation in the association.
Additionally, 2016 marked the inaugural year for the IPA Hall of Fame induction. Jay Webb, Dan Fyffe and Rusty Bottomley were inducted into the inaugural class and were honored during the awards ceremony during state championships.
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More coming soon!
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2018 marked the largest registration the association has ever seen with 118 units participating in the circuit. This still stands as the largest number of member ensembles to ever participate in a single IPA season.
Veritas Percussion was incorporated and competed as a member of the IPA and WGI.
Fishers HS won its first WGI World Title in Percussion Concert World Class.
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In 2019 Fishers HS won its second WGI World Title in Percussion Concert World Class.
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The 2020 season was the first and only IPA season that finished incomplete due to the COVID19 pandemic. This is significant for many reasons and marks the only season since 1996 that IPA State Champions were not crowned. The IPA Board of directors had to make the difficult decision to pull the plug on the season as what started as warnings grew into a global pandemic. This decision although challenging was safe and followed the national safety directives that were being passed down from the national circuit.
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2021 brought on a season of safe participation as groups performed both in person and via digital video submission for comments due to some school corporations limiting participation. Following the lead of the national circuit IPA followed strict protocols set forth but he Board of Directors to make sure performers were masked and safe at all IPA circuit events. Crowds were limited and several live streams were arranged to continue to share the activity with the community.
In 2021 the second class of IPA Hall of Fame members included Michael Scheiber, Jeff Huffman, and the late Steve Angel. The presentation of these members was postponed to a later date due to lingering fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021 Fishers HS won its third consecutive WGI World Title in Percussion Concert World Class.
The return to full participation from the pandemic aligned with a renovation of the ISU Hulman Center and forced IPA State Finals to move back to Ben Davis HS for the 2021, 2022 seasons.
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2022 saw a return to in person events for the association. A full competitive season and clinic were back on the schedule. 2022 was a successful year in growing the association closer to full capacity from the pandemic years. With over 100 ensembles participating in state events for the first time since 2018.
Avon HS won a WGI, World Class Movement Championship in 2022 and Fishers HS won its fourth consecutive WGI World Title in Percussion Concert World Class.
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In 2023 the 2021 IPA Hall of Fame class was not honored until the State Championships at Hulman Center in Terre Haute. This was the first championships to be held in the newly renovated arena. Larger brighter concourses, excellent concessions and new seating made coming back to Indiana State University a welcome return. Ensemble leaders and fans were extremely positive about the decision to go back to the venue after the construction.
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In 2024 Rhythm X administration reached out to members of the IPA Advisory board about the possibility of moving the organization to Indianapolis, IN.
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In 2025 Veritas was the first IPA ensemble to be crowned WGI Independent Open Class World Champions. Additionally, Rhythm X became the first ever Independent World ensemble from Indiana to medal at WGI World Finals.
Blue Knights Experience camp was hosted by Plainfield HS and several IPA students were able to participate after the IPA Clinic Day in December.
2025 marked the passing of former board member and founding member Rusty Bottomley. Rusty’s efforts to mentor young educators and students will be forever remembered by many. Fundraising was started for the Rusty Bottomley Scholarship to be awarded annually by the association.
IPA leadership met with ISSMA leadership to discuss how best to support the conversation of music educator compensation and budgeting for the arts at the Indiana State House. The ongoing conversation of percussion educators being para-professional positions and not fully funded corporation positions is being brought to state leadership to consider how important music education is to the curriculum offered across the state. The state has lost several great educators due to cost of living decisions to leave teaching for other more financially rewarding pursuits.
A new indianapercussion.org launched in the summer of 2025 providing a new home for all things IPA.