From snares down to the marimba and even the xylophone, the Indoor Percussion Program at Madison Junior High School has it all.
Michael Petersen, a BYU-Idaho alumnus in Music Education, is in his sixth-year teaching at MJHS and the director of the Indoor Percussion Program which started one year ago. Though the program is new, the idea has been in the works for years.
“It's always been a goal of mine to have the program here at Madison, but I needed a few years of normal teaching before we added a new program,” Petersen said.
The program has two different groups based on skill level, a junior varsity and a varsity group. Auditions are required for both groups. The varsity group will travel and compete, and the JV group will help new students grow and develop skills.
“Within the program, you'll be developing your skills. And then outside, in the off season, we develop skills, and of course, we encourage private lessons and things, but rehearsals are a time to develop those skills,” Petersen said. “And particularly our rehearsals with the JV group are a time to develop your fundamental skills.”
If you are on the fence on whether you should try out or not, Petersen suggests to “just come in and have fun.”
“Definitely do it. It can be a little bit scary, especially as you first starting if you don't know how to play. But just jump in headfirst, we won't let you drown,” he said.