Percussion – Sherando Band

Students in grades 9–12 who participate in the percussion section will learn to march, rehearse, and perform an original Field Show that tells a story both musically and visually. These shows are presented at home football games, regional competitions, and marching band festivals across Virginia, where the ensemble competes alongside other top high school programs.

Participation in the Percussion Section pushes students to grow in all areas: musical ability, time management, personal discipline, and resilience. It’s a place where students challenge themselves, support one another, and discover what they’re truly capable of. Above all, it’s a space where hard work meets passion—and where powerful performances are born.

Whether you’re laying down the groove in the battery or adding color and expression in the pit, you’ll be part of something larger than yourself—fueling the spirit and excellence of the Sherando Marching Band.

The Sherando Percussion Section has been around in many forms since 1993. The program has continued to grow throughout the years. The winter program or Indoor Percussion has won many awards and participate in many events throughout the school year such as:

Apple Blossom Parade
Percussion/Band Camp
Home Football Games
Winchester & Middletown Holiday Parade
Marching Band Contest Season
Concert Season
Indoor Percussion Season

Fall Marching Season

The Drumline and Front Ensemble, collectively known as the Percussion Section, form the heartbeat of the Sherando Marching Band. From thunderous cadences to expressive musical textures, the percussion section is responsible for driving the energy, emotion, and momentum of every performance—both musically and visually.

Percussion is a team sport. It teaches students how to function as one cohesive unit while playing individual parts. We move as a unit, play as a unit, and succeed as a unit. Whether marching across the field or anchoring the ensemble from the front sideline, percussionists learn to trust one another, communicate effectively, and commit to a shared goal.

Drumline (Battery)

The Battery includes snares, tenors (quads), bass drums, and cymbals. These instruments are worn and marched on the field, contributing rhythmic precision and explosive visual energy. The Drumline is a crowd favorite—commanding attention with every step and strike.

Front Ensemble (Pit)

The Front Ensemble, or “pit,” performs from a stationary position at the front of the field and includes marimbas, vibraphones, auxiliary percussion, synthesizers, and other electronic elements. These instruments provide the melodic voices, harmonic layers, and sound effects that enhance the musical storytelling of the field show.

Indoor Percussion

The Indoor Percussion Ensemble is an audition-based competitive group that takes percussion performance to the next level by combining music, movement, and theatrical elements in a gymnasium setting. This ensemble is typically active during the winter and spring months, after the marching band season concludes.

Indoor Percussion includes both battery and front ensemble, and students perform a custom-designed show that tells a story through rhythm, emotion, and choreography.

This ensemble participates in competitive circuits such as the Atlantic Indoor Association(AIA), where students perform in judged events against other schools from the region and beyond. Each show is designed with original music, innovative staging, and dramatic visual effects, challenging students to excel both musically and theatrically.

Students in Indoor Percussion develop advanced musical skills, including timing, dynamic control, and expressive performance. It’s a fast-paced and rewarding ensemble for percussionists who want to push the boundaries of their craft and contribute to a powerful, collaborative production.