10/21/2025
Indoor 2026 is fast approaching, and before the season kicks into high gear, here are some strategies and questions worth reflecting on as you select your program for the season.
(These are the same questions I ask every custom group I design for, and they always lead to more focused, effective products and seasons.)
1️⃣ What would you and your students love working on for the next six months?
This isn’t just about show selection, it’s about alignment. When the students and staff are emotionally connected to the material, rehearsal energy, buy-in, and performance quality all rise.
I generally advise, don’t worry so much about the concept / narrative / “gettability” … but focus on what music / theme / universe / sound or visual palette feels the most inspirational or the best fit for you and your ensemble.
What makes you perk up with curiosity, joy, wonder, or excitement? If you and your students are excited about what you’re working on, it will show.
Generally I worry less about the audience or the judges “getting” the show vs. will they be “engaged” in our presentation. And part of engagement is buy-in and your personal fulfillment.
2️⃣ What are the skills, resources, and strengths your ensemble already has?
Knowing what your ensemble is able to tackle, which class of best fit you want to be in, are we musically strong? Are we visually strong? Do we have a motivated prop crew who will build us an awesome set? Do we like more minimal concepts where the musical energy is our strength? Do our students like to present emotively? or are they more stoic in their personality? Do we have a standout soloist (wind or drumset or synth etc…)
All of these should factor when picking your show. Even if you are getting a pre-written show, we are happy to work with you to double down on the strengths of your ensemble and provide a show of best fit.
3️⃣ What areas do you need to upgrade this year?
Is it your technology workflow? Visual cohesion? Effect coordination? Or maybe just the blend and balance of your front ensemble and battery?
Most programs know their pain points, but few make a clear plan to address them before the season starts.
Making sure your staff are empowered to continue to upgrade, or always feel free to reach out and ask questions and we’re more than happy to help give guidance on next steps for any number of areas of development for programs.
Whether its sound systems, visual designers, costume and floor design, we can either help you directly or connect you to some of the best in the activity.
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If you’re still in the market for a show (or just started looking) … I wanted to share that we’ve published a few new shows this season that would be worth checking out!
Several of the shows are at the A class level, and we do want to let you know that new this year, we are willing to redo the difficulty of some of our more challenging shows down to either Open or A class. (reach out if you have a show in mind and we can go from there).
👉 [CHECK OUT ALL THE NEW INDOOR SHOWS HERE: https://www.projectrisemusic.com/index.php/percussion-ensemble]
