Indoor percussion students from both Judson High School and Veterans Memorial High School have come together to form a single drumline for their 2026 competition season. The Judson ISD Combined Indoor percussion group not only includes students from both schools but also combines the staff from them, all working together to create something completely new.

Since the arrival of David Hochstetter, the Judson Band program has undergone a variety of changes. Specifically, the percussion section has been on the receiving end of lots of change. In his first few months as percussion director, Hochstetter created the Judson High School Indoor Percussion group.

In 2023, the indoor percussion group competed in the Texas Educational Colorguard Association (TECA) circuit. They made history by winning Scholastic A TECA State Champions in their first year of existence. 

The next year, the group moved up a circuit, competing in the Texas Color Guard Circuit (TCGC), while still partaking in the Scholastic A division. They ended up in ninth place at the TCGC State Championships. This was unheard of for such a newly formed group, especially in their first year in the circuit.

Now, Hochstetter has made history again.

“Directors from Judson and Veterans were hanging out together complaining about someone we wanted to beat last year. Neither of us could do it alone, so we joked about combining forces,” recalled Hochstetter. “From there we started chatting about actual benefits for both lines and the possible ‘doors’ this combined effort could open for our students.”

Hochstetter, now the head band director at Judson, and Jeremiah Brunney, head band director of Veterans Memorial High School, have created the Judson ISD Combined Indoor group. The group consists of students from both Veterans Memorial and Judson. It also combines techs (private percussion teachers) from each school. 

However, this has raised some concerns on how the two different schools will be fully integrated.

“It’s hard getting people who have wildly different backgrounds with drumlines to see eye to eye. Getting them to understand, just because someone does something different, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It’s just what has worked for them. Getting everyone involved to open their eyes to other ways of thinking has never been easy,” described Hochstetter.

But the combination of the two groups was not the only priority. Hochstetter has always tried to push a family environment in the Judson Band program. Combining the two groups means creating an entire new community and family.

“Having worked in both environments gives me the ability to connect with the students from both schools in the ways they are familiar with in their programs,” explained Meaghan Treviño, Judson percussion director, who previously worked with Veterans Memorial as a private percussion instructor before transferring to Judson. “I have, and always will, be about creating an inviting environment for everyone and making sure everyone is included.” 

“Combining the two schools together is a great idea, as it will help build the family-like bond of Judson to a new level, and give students the ability to learn and connect with others from the different schools,” vocalized Veterans Memorial senior Joshua Padula. “It also gives us the chance to grow as people and take what different cultures we have in this district and apply them to ourselves, making each school just that more diverse.”

With so many different forces going into it, the Judson ISD Combined Indoor family is only inevitable. 

“I see this combination as a wonderful chance for all of us to rise and put ourselves out there. I firmly believe we’re stronger together!” conveyed Veterans Memorial junior Alex Velasquez. 

The two schools also bring together a variety of talented players, making the group open to new opportunities and goals. Because of the combining of the groups, they no longer qualify for the Scholastic A division, as they are now classified as an independent group. This has brought them to enter into the Independent A division of TCGC. 

The group may be going against some college level drumlines, but they do not let that discourage them. “While the unknowns of the first year are daunting, I know that the team of directors and staff we have will work hard to make this year amazing,” said Treviño.  

“A big goal this year for Judson Combined Indoor Percussion is to really put our name out there and get our group on the map as a talented, heavy-hitting group in the indoor percussion scene,” claimed Treviño. 

One thing that teachers and students alike can agree on is that they’d like to make history. 

“Since it’s our first time, I want people to get the best preview of what we can do, and leave a statement that lasts for generations after,” said Padula.

The group had originally planned on attending the WGI World Championships in Dayton, but is no longer attending because of the funds necessary to participate. However, this is not the end. In the years to come, the drumline plans to attend the competition and even medal in it after establishing a name for themselves.

In order to eventually achieve this, the group plans to put in the work. “This involves growth that will take more than one season to achieve,” commented Treviño. 

The drumline practices long hours every week and sometimes weekends. Even with the vigorous group practice, teachers and students constantly put in work outside of practice.

A key feature with indoor drumline is that the groups not only have to play their music well, but they also need to be good performers. The visual aspect of marching shows usually deals with players being on the right foot, if the lines are straight, or if they are doing the correct visuals at the right time. This is because marching band judges are usually far away from the band, causing there to not be as much of a stress on the physical and emotional aspect of the show.

But in indoor drumline, the judges are much closer to the performers. There are also less performers for them to focus on, making the group more susceptible to criticisms. 

Because of this, the Judson Combined drumline puts a focus on not only the music aspect of indoor but on the performing part of it as well. They focus on performing with their bodies and putting emotion in their faces and behind the music. This helps them stand out amongst other talented indoor drumlines.

“With how much talent we have coming from both schools not only in drumline but in our techs (teachers) and front ensemble, we could very easily make history. Only if we just stay consistent and focused on what the end goal is,” described Judson senior Joshua Sance. 

“People want to be part of something bigger than themselves, something to believe in, something to have pride in, something to dedicate themselves to. To quote ‘Field of Dreams:’ ‘If you build it, they will come,’” described Hochstetter. 

Whatever outcome falls upon the Judson ISD Combined indoor percussion group, they’re still history in the making. The indoor group will compete in their first competition of their 2026 season at TCGC Dripping Springs this Saturday, Jan. 29.