Returning to competition after an extended break, the Harrison HIPE ensemble enjoyed a remarkable comeback season that included GIPA competitions, a regional championship performance, and a semifinal finish at the WGI world championships. For the 27-member squad featuring 10 seniors, it was a season of performance highlights and continuous improvements.
The 2022 show was entitled “Can’t Stand Still, based on music by Alanis Morissette. The performance delivered an inspiring, uplifting message to just keep moving, leave behind the past and find a new future that is right around the corner. The 2022 show featured black uniforms with long tails, trimmed in gold, all designed to highlight the show’s intricate choreography.
Seniors participating in the 2022 HIPE program included Luke Hand, Rocky Insinga, Kate Kennedy, Anna Miller, Carter Minish, Michael Strickland, Alex Thrash, Katherine Webb, Davis Wetter, and Mason Wyman.
The complete 2022 Harrison HIPE ensemble included:
- Julian Adams
- Xavier Babecka
- Jay Edwards
- Sierra Glosson
- Katie Gurno
- Bryce Hamilton
- Luke Hand
- Xander Hilleary
- Zeke Horsley
- Rocky Insinga
- Kate Kennedy
- Ben Kitchens
- Trent McCollum
- Anna Miller
- Alexa Moreno
- Nate Pettigrew
- Carlos de Santa
- Evelyn Shirley
- Charlie Slapkus
- Michael Strickland
- Luke Suddath
- Alex Thrash
- Josh Vann
- Katherine Webb
- Davis Wetter
- Patrick Wilkinson
- Mason Wyman
Co-directors for 2022 were Jeffrey Hope and Colby Kuzontkoski. Music design and pit arrangements were performed by Colby Kuzontkoski, with battery arrangements by Jeffrey Hope. The group’s visual designer was Eric Brown. Staff support was provided by Danielle Lanier, Kristina Diaz and Matt Andrews.
HIPE opened the 2022 season with three Atlanta-area performances at Denmark High School, Kell High School, and North Forsyth High School, sponsored by the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association (GIPA). The group travelled to Knoxville, TN, for a WGI regional competition before ending the season at the WGI World Championships.
For the unfamiliar, indoor percussion ensembles consist of the marching percussion (also called battery) and front ensemble (also called pit) sections of a marching band or drum corps. Indoor percussion marries elements of music performance, marching, and theater; thus, the activity is often referred to as percussion theater. More than 500 percussion ensembles around the world compete annually in WGI-sponsored events, culminating with the World Championships in Dayton, OH.