About Breakthrough
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion's mission is to inspire students of Arizona and the southwestern United States to achieve high standards of performance and provide an opportunity for the development and cultivation of life skills through learning and performing music. We offer this activity to our members at an affordable price as we feel as though that will foster the growth, education and overall well-being of our students and their families.
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is an organization dedicated to youth education in th arts. We offer men and women between the ages of 14-22 both performance and educational opportunities in the percussive arts. We hope to instill in our members a strong sense of personal achievement, growth, confidence, strong work ethic, responsibility, perseverance and dedication; in order to achieve a team goal. Our members will learn the craft of indoor percussion performance, develop the skills necessary to perform at a supremely high level and learn and perfect a show to be performed on several locations in front of thousands of spectators.
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion was founded in the fall of 2009 by Cutler W. Boughn and Adam R. Maynes. Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is a Non-Profit Organization, and is dedicated to the education of the youth and young adults of Arizona, and the southwestern United States. Breakthrough is staffed by a dedicated group of music educators and designers who dedicate their time for the benefit of the ensemble's members and their growth within the activity. It is to this end that the ensemble has been created to provide an environment for the members to grow both musically and socially within the ensemble, learning countless skills that will be useful in every aspect of life.
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is a nationally competitive ensemble. Breakthrough competes with Winterguard Arizona (WGAZ) and Winter Guard International (WGI) Sport of the Arts sanctioned events, and will continue to do so in the years to come. These events combine music, movement, and props into a theatrical production performed in a gymnasium. From January to April the ensemble competes locally, regionally, and nationally against other indoor percussion ensembles. The ensemble is in season and active from early November through April.
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is an organization dedicated to youth education in th arts. We offer men and women between the ages of 14-22 both performance and educational opportunities in the percussive arts. We hope to instill in our members a strong sense of personal achievement, growth, confidence, strong work ethic, responsibility, perseverance and dedication; in order to achieve a team goal. Our members will learn the craft of indoor percussion performance, develop the skills necessary to perform at a supremely high level and learn and perfect a show to be performed on several locations in front of thousands of spectators.
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion was founded in the fall of 2009 by Cutler W. Boughn and Adam R. Maynes. Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is a Non-Profit Organization, and is dedicated to the education of the youth and young adults of Arizona, and the southwestern United States. Breakthrough is staffed by a dedicated group of music educators and designers who dedicate their time for the benefit of the ensemble's members and their growth within the activity. It is to this end that the ensemble has been created to provide an environment for the members to grow both musically and socially within the ensemble, learning countless skills that will be useful in every aspect of life.
Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is a nationally competitive ensemble. Breakthrough competes with Winterguard Arizona (WGAZ) and Winter Guard International (WGI) Sport of the Arts sanctioned events, and will continue to do so in the years to come. These events combine music, movement, and props into a theatrical production performed in a gymnasium. From January to April the ensemble competes locally, regionally, and nationally against other indoor percussion ensembles. The ensemble is in season and active from early November through April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I become a member?
A: Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is an audition only independent indoor drumline. This years auditions & clinic will be held on Sunday, October 18th, 2015. Please visit out "Auditions" page to receive more information about the auditions/clinic, and to sign up to receive the audition music.
Q: Will my high school program interfere with Breakthrough?
A: We encourage all prospective members to participate in their high school programs and make those programs priority. If your high school offers an indoor drumline program then you are expected to consider this option before auditioning for Breakthrough. If your school offers a program, under the WGAZ/WGI/AIA rules you must receive a waiver from your band director in order to participate in an independent line within the circuit. We are also sensitive to high school programs that participate in concert band and solo and ensemble contests and you are expected to attend all high school functions. We will gladly work with you and your time conflicts provided they are brought to our attention in advance.
Q: How often are practices?
A: We rehearse primarily on Friday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's. This allows members that instruct/participate in high school ensembles time to prepare them and take care of those duties for Saturday shows. Please check the schedule to see when our rehearsal camps will take place.
Q: Will this interfere will Drum Corps?
A: We anticipate many members of Breakthrough being involved in drum corps both locally and around the country. We encourage everyone to march during the summer months, as it provides valuable experience. We will do our best to work around drum corps camp schedules - Again, please bring time conflicts to our attention well in advance.
Q: How much are fees?
A: The 2015-2016 season fee is $1500 per person, which includes everything you need for a successful season, and all of the out-of-state (California & Ohio) travel, transportation and accommodations that you need to be part of Breakthrough.
The audition fee of $30 will cover lunch on both days, your audition, and clinic.
We are doing all we can to help keep costs to our members, as low as possible.
Q: Do you offer fundraisers?
A: We offer multiple fundraisers and opportunities for our members to raise funds during the season which will help drive down fees. As soon as our first rehearsal/meeting into the season, we will release fundraising opportunities.
Q: Will Breakthrough interfere with extra curricular activities?
A: We do not hold practices during the school week except for Friday evenings. If you play a sport that has conflicts with Friday's - Sunday's then it will be difficult (but not impossible) to join Breakthrough. Contact us and we will do our best to work with you on scheduling.
Q: Can my parents/family help out with the ensemble?
A: We encourage all members to get their parents/families involved with the Breakthrough Indoor Percussion support group/booster club. This group helps get us off and on the floor at all shows, helps sew uniforms, builds props, and a large number of other supportive things. Without parent support, we would absolutely not be possible. We want members, parents, and their families to become part of the Breakthrough family!
Q: How can I get a ride to practice?
A: We have members coming from all over Arizona. Getting a ride to practice once you make the ensemble is usually not a problem. In the event that you make the ensemble and no one is coming from your area, you are still responsible for getting to and from practice.
Q: What is the size of the ensemble?
A: Breakthrough Indoor Percussion owns a complete battery of: 8 snares, 4 tenors, 5 basses, and 8 cymbals. We also own a complete front ensemble of: 4-5 marimbas, 4 vibes, timpani, bells, chimes, 2 xylophones, drumset(s), complete electronic equipment as well as an entirely overstocked set of auxiliary equipment. We have enough instruments to field an ensemble of 40+.
Q: What grips does the ensemble use?
A: The snare line plays traditional grip. The keyboards use both Burton and Stevens grip. If you are not familiar with these techniques, they will be explained at the audition camp.
A: Breakthrough Indoor Percussion is an audition only independent indoor drumline. This years auditions & clinic will be held on Sunday, October 18th, 2015. Please visit out "Auditions" page to receive more information about the auditions/clinic, and to sign up to receive the audition music.
Q: Will my high school program interfere with Breakthrough?
A: We encourage all prospective members to participate in their high school programs and make those programs priority. If your high school offers an indoor drumline program then you are expected to consider this option before auditioning for Breakthrough. If your school offers a program, under the WGAZ/WGI/AIA rules you must receive a waiver from your band director in order to participate in an independent line within the circuit. We are also sensitive to high school programs that participate in concert band and solo and ensemble contests and you are expected to attend all high school functions. We will gladly work with you and your time conflicts provided they are brought to our attention in advance.
Q: How often are practices?
A: We rehearse primarily on Friday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's. This allows members that instruct/participate in high school ensembles time to prepare them and take care of those duties for Saturday shows. Please check the schedule to see when our rehearsal camps will take place.
Q: Will this interfere will Drum Corps?
A: We anticipate many members of Breakthrough being involved in drum corps both locally and around the country. We encourage everyone to march during the summer months, as it provides valuable experience. We will do our best to work around drum corps camp schedules - Again, please bring time conflicts to our attention well in advance.
Q: How much are fees?
A: The 2015-2016 season fee is $1500 per person, which includes everything you need for a successful season, and all of the out-of-state (California & Ohio) travel, transportation and accommodations that you need to be part of Breakthrough.
The audition fee of $30 will cover lunch on both days, your audition, and clinic.
We are doing all we can to help keep costs to our members, as low as possible.
Q: Do you offer fundraisers?
A: We offer multiple fundraisers and opportunities for our members to raise funds during the season which will help drive down fees. As soon as our first rehearsal/meeting into the season, we will release fundraising opportunities.
Q: Will Breakthrough interfere with extra curricular activities?
A: We do not hold practices during the school week except for Friday evenings. If you play a sport that has conflicts with Friday's - Sunday's then it will be difficult (but not impossible) to join Breakthrough. Contact us and we will do our best to work with you on scheduling.
Q: Can my parents/family help out with the ensemble?
A: We encourage all members to get their parents/families involved with the Breakthrough Indoor Percussion support group/booster club. This group helps get us off and on the floor at all shows, helps sew uniforms, builds props, and a large number of other supportive things. Without parent support, we would absolutely not be possible. We want members, parents, and their families to become part of the Breakthrough family!
Q: How can I get a ride to practice?
A: We have members coming from all over Arizona. Getting a ride to practice once you make the ensemble is usually not a problem. In the event that you make the ensemble and no one is coming from your area, you are still responsible for getting to and from practice.
Q: What is the size of the ensemble?
A: Breakthrough Indoor Percussion owns a complete battery of: 8 snares, 4 tenors, 5 basses, and 8 cymbals. We also own a complete front ensemble of: 4-5 marimbas, 4 vibes, timpani, bells, chimes, 2 xylophones, drumset(s), complete electronic equipment as well as an entirely overstocked set of auxiliary equipment. We have enough instruments to field an ensemble of 40+.
Q: What grips does the ensemble use?
A: The snare line plays traditional grip. The keyboards use both Burton and Stevens grip. If you are not familiar with these techniques, they will be explained at the audition camp.