In early April, the Hempfield Indoor Percussion Ensemble competed in the virtual WGI Sport of the Arts national semifinals. This was the second time in Hempfield School District history and the first time since 2016 that a Hempfield drumline reached this level of competition.

As a nonprofit youth organization, WGI Sport of the Arts produces indoor color guard, percussion, and winds competitions. WGI brings music to life through performance in a competitive format, hence the name "Sport of the Arts."

An indoor percussion ensemble, or indoor drumline, consists of the marching percussion and front ensemble sections of a marching band or drum corps. Indoor percussion marries elements of music performance, marching, and theater. Consequently, the activity is often referred to as percussion theater. This year's Hempfield Indoor Percussion Ensemble consisted of 24 students who performed the show "Grow" for the 2021 season.

"Grow" follows the life cycle of a flower. The show begins when the flower is dead in the winter, and as the performance progresses, the flower grows, blooms, and blossoms. Hempfield High School percussion director Matt Carraher noted that the ensemble thought the production was a fitting metaphor for how the last year of life has been. "We started marching band this past fall completely virtual," explained Carraher. "Things started to open up more and then we were able to have a somewhat normal indoor season. The show had a great message that said we were going to get through this and we're going to be better for it."

When asked why he joined the Hempfield Indoor Percussion Ensemble, senior captain Jacob Walker said, "Hempfield has always been a center of musical excellence, so using my prior musical knowledge to collaborate with others in a competitive environment seemed like a clear choice of how to develop myself both technically and mentally."

"You will not regret starting to learn an instrument or practicing music," added senior captain Harrison Rodman. "Music has always had an effect on my life and it has always been for the better. It won't be easy at the start, but as you progress, it will become a part of you."

Although the Hempfield Indoor Percussion Ensemble did not advance to the finals, the students said they are proud of making it to the national level of competition.