INDIANAPOLIS – A few months apart didn’t slow down Santa Clara Vanguard’s 2025 percussion section.
In fact, their November reunion came together with the same clarity and confidence they carried all summer.
On Saturday, November 15, inside the Indiana Convention Center, Vanguard’s 2025 battery and front ensemble percussionists returned to Indianapolis, the site of this past summer’s DCI bronze medal-winning performance, for the 50th-anniversary edition of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).
“Every time we’ve brought a group to PASIC, it’s amazed me how quickly the show comes back,” said percussion caption manager Paul Rennick. “Within 20 minutes they’re right back where they were in August. It speaks to the depth of preparation they put in during the summer.”
For performers and staff, it was a welcome opportunity to dust off the 2025 production and put it in front of one of the activity’s most tuned-in audiences. And despite a tight schedule and limited rehearsal time, the group settled in quickly, delivering a performance that felt sharp, familiar and distinctly Vanguard.
“We were invited to be part of PASIC’s 50th anniversary, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring this music back to life one more time,” percussion arranger Sandi Rennick said. “It’s always special to share what the Vanguard percussion program is about with this kind of audience.”
Ultimately, as Paul described, a presentation at PASIC not only provides sentimental value to performers, but also offers an opportunity for the corps and its members to present their craft to an engaged, percussion-centric audience.
“Our administration was incredibly supportive,” Paul said. “I pitched the idea after speaking with (Percussive Arts Society executive director) Joshua Simons, and they were immediately on board. They even provided transportation and housing for every member, which was unbelievable, and we’re so grateful for it.”
“This room is our demographic — college-age music majors, educators, people who truly understand what goes into this activity,” he added. “Getting to present here always feels meaningful.”
Those participating in Santa Clara Vanguard’s PASIC experience met up in Denton, Texas for an early-morning Wednesday, November 12 departure.
Upon arrival after a day’s drive, as Paul Rennick noted, the majority of Vanguard’s percussion performers took part in an array of other educational percussion clinics at the Indianapolis event, displaying not only the talent level of the corps’ members, but also the musical versatility of drum corps performers.
“Because so many members were performing elsewhere at the convention, we didn’t actually get much rehearsal time,” Sandi said. “Our motto became — trust your preparation from the summer. And it came back instantly. They never missed a beat.”
As such, the approach to Saturday’s session had more to do with presenting talent and music, as opposed to informing or educating.
“We treated the clinic like a showcase concert. The music itself was the vehicle — we wanted the audience to hear it, feel it, and understand the program,” said Sandi. “There’s never enough time to cover everything, but highlighting the music was the priority.”
While the experiences and emotions of the performers and staff were a highlight, the kind of audience they drew was similarly profound. The Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom, which can seat more than 3,000 people, was packed from wall to wall.
According to Paul, popularity isn’t a driver. But for something that he, Sandi, their fellow staff and the corps’ performers love so dearly, it’s powerful to see that same love in so many audience members.
“We do this because we love it. We’d be doing it regardless,” said Paul. “But seeing a packed room reminds us that the work resonates. That’s always humbling.”
“When the applause hit and they finally broke character, they all turned to each other and gave these big, genuine hugs,” said Paul. “That image is going to stick with me for a long time.”
And of course, one extra encore is never a bad thing.
“Hearing this music live one last time with these players… it’s really special,” said Sandi. “Moments like today are the ones I’ll always remember.”
