News

Tips for a Successful Band Camp

With many groups in the middle of band camp or starting band camps in the coming weeks we thought we would put together our best tips for both students and educators. While this is certainly not an all-inclusive list, these are things to consider that we have learned from our past experiences teaching band camp. While some of the tips apply to both groups of students, we have split them out to be more specific to each specific group.   Tips for Students   Be sure to hydrate before camp starts Of all things you can do to prepare for band camp, this is likely the most important. Remember that going to camp hydrated means being sure to drink lots of water and drinks with electrolytes in the days before camp starts, not just during camp. Being well hydrated and maintaining hydration during camp, will keep your energy up throughout the camp. Practice and prepare for what is expected on the first day of camp Your staff will likely give you materials such as warmups and show music to prepare before camp starts. Be sure to have it prepared (not perfected) before camp starts. Having things such as warmups memorized,

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Jul 13, 2023 No Comments

Yearly Maintenance Tips: A Comprehensive Guide

As the new year approaches, your program is likely going into the busiest time of year with concert band, solo and ensemble, jazz band and indoor percussion all happening at the same time.  Often times you may not think about taking a little extra time to do a thorough inspection of your gear, but it will go a long way in getting the most out of your investment. Now is a great time to do some general equipment maintenance and cleaning that can ensure you are ready for the busy months ahead.  Having your students actively participate in this process will help them take pride over equipment that will be used long after they leave your program and can help the process move along faster and seem less overwhelming. Below are some quick and easy tips for making sure your gear is in top shape to start the new year: Take an inventory of all your equipment at the end of each semester. Clean all equipment using a soft cloth to remove any dirt or grime that has built up over time.  A small amount of diluted rubbing alcohol can help remove major build-up. Inspect your instruments for any missing parts. Check for broken or

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Dec 9, 2020 No Comments

Curbside Pickup Available Again

Beginning Tuesday, April 14th we will be open normal business hours to take phone, email, online orders and to provide contact-free curbside pick-up while our showrooms remain closed. We will also be running a modified delivery route to central locations in local school districts on an as-needed basis and every purchase during the stay at home order will receive free shipping to your home. Please contact us so we can work with you to provide the most convenient arrangements possible to serve you during this current stay-at-home order. Curbside Service Details 1. Call us at 317-842-2102 It’s best to call ahead so we can get your order or serviced items ready to go prior to your arrival.  This will save you time once you’re here. 2.  We’ll take your order or prepare your loaner or repair to be picked up.   3.  Call us again when you arrive.  The number again is 317-842-2102. 4.  One of our staff members will bring your items out to you. Staff members use hand sanitizer between each customer interaction  We use disinfectant wipes on the handles of each instrument prior to bringing then out to you. Receipts can be emailed to you if we have your

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Apr 14, 2020 No Comments

Chops Percussion Opening For Phone, Email, and Website Orders

Starting Wednesday, April 8th we will be open our normal business hours to take phone, email, and online orders. Our showroom will remain closed for now. Every order during the stay-at-home executive order will receive free shipping. Our normal business hours are: M-F: 10am 6pm SAT: 10am – 4pm SUN: Closed You can contact us by using the information below: Chops Percussion 317-813-2070 1-877-900-3786 [email protected] Paige’s Music – Retail Sales: 317-842-2102 800-382-1099 [email protected] Paige’s Music – Repair: 317-577-3415 800-337-0471 [email protected] Paige’s Music – Accounting: 317-577-3429 800-795-4149 [email protected]

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Apr 7, 2020 No Comments

Chops Percussion Closed Until April 7th

In compliance with the recent executive order issued by Governor Holcomb, Paige’s Music and our specialty shops Chops Percussion, Encore Orchestral Strings & Indy Flute Shop will be temporarily closed until Tuesday, April 7th. During this time we will not have access to our facility. So, there will be no in-store or curbside pick-up and no outbound shipments or deliveries. We will be monitoring e-mails remotely and will respond within 24 hours to your e-mail inquiries. To insure that your inquiry is directed to the best person to help you, please use the appropriate e-mail address below: Questions about your current account: [email protected] Questions about an instrument repair: [email protected] Questions about an instrument rental, sale or accessory: [email protected] To reach our specialty shops: Chops Percussion: [email protected] Encore Orchestral Strings: [email protected] Indy Flute Shop: [email protected] We will be ready to serve you as soon as this closure order is lifted.

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Mar 24, 2020 No Comments

Pro Audio Gear at Chops Percussion

For the past twelve and half years, Chops has strived to serve our customers with the best concert and marching percussion on the market. Our goal to stock the most common and necessary items and to provide quick-turnaround for instruments and not-stock items has allowed us to create positive relationships with both our manufactures and our customers. Over the last decade, the marching arts have evolved at record pace. One of the leading changes: electronics and pro audio.

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Feb 5, 2020 No Comments

July 2019 News at Chops

Marching Snare Head Feature: Remo Suede Max We get many calls this time of year regarding snare head choices. There are many tried and true products out there, but there is one newer option that is quickly becoming the choice of marching groups everywhere: the Remo Suede Max batter head. [Learn more] It’s Vintage: Restoring a Ludwig Drum Set If you are in the market for some new percussion gear for your upcoming marching band season, now is the time to take advantage of these great prices. Cap City Indoor used the gear this past indoor season, the gear is in great shape, and we just reduced the prices. [Learn more] Product Spotlight: Tama’s Dyna-Sync Bass Drum Pedals We’re excited to talk about Tama’s brand new Dyna-Sync bass drum pedals. These pedals were unveiled at Winter NAMM this past January, and there was a lot of buzz surrounding them. I can tell you after putting my own foot on one the buzz was deserved! [Learn more]

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Jul 30, 2019 No Comments

May 2019 News at Chops

SABIAN Cymbals used by Veritas Indoor Percussion for Sale! If you have been looking for great deals on used cymbals, this list is for you! Veritas Indoor Percussion used the Sabian products on this list for the last few weeks of the 2019 season. At these prices, we will not have them for very long, so don’t wait to get yours! [Learn more] Get Your Percussion Equipment Evaluations and On-Site Repairs done this summer Summer break is right around the corner and there’s no better time to get your instruments evaluated than now! Chops Percussion and Paige’s Music’s repair department are willing to send a trained specialist to your school to assess your percussion inventory. [Learn more] Is Your Percussion Section #BuiltToCompete? As hard as it is to believe, marching band season is now upon us. Before long, you will be making orders for drum heads, sticks, and mallets. Chops will have everything you need to get you ready for the upcoming season and beyond. For those of you that are fans of Evans and Promark products, please read on to learn more about the Built To Compete Buyer’s Guide! [Learn more] Sabian is Striving to Make Cymbal Selection A

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May 28, 2019 No Comments

2018 Indiana Percussion Association Clinic Day and I&E Competition

WHAT: 2018 Indiana Percussion Association Clinic Day and I&E Competition WHEN: Saturday, December 8th, 9am-5pm (on-site registration begins at 8am) WHERE: Plainfield High School HOW: On-line registration is NOW OPEN!  On-site registration the day of the clinic will begin at 8am. Cost will be $15/person pre-registration or $20 at the door. Lunch is not included but the Plainfield Band Boosters will have lunch concessions available. Clinic Day Group Registration: https://tinyurl.com/y9frohml IPA will be going with a more “hands on” approach that will allow the students to participate in a total of six, 50 minute hands-on master classes throughout the day! The goal of each clinician is to give your students 2-3 things that they can apply instantlyto their current playing situations.

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Nov 27, 2018 No Comments

It’s Back To School Time and We’re Ready!

It’s back to school time here in Indiana and that means everyone is out shopping for supplies.  Here at Chops we’re ready and waiting to help you find exactly what you need for your school percussion program.  We’re in regular contact with band directors and percussion instructors to make sure we have everything in stock that they are requiring for class. Here are our promises to you: You get to talk to a human being that knows exactly what your percussionist needsfor school.We’re current and former percussion educators, so we speak the language. We offer FREE SHIPPING to your child’s school! We have dedicated road reps at your school once a week (Paige’s Music account schools only). You can check which day Paige’s Music visits your school on the Paige’s website. As long as you order it the day before our visit, and we have the product in stock, your child will have what they need on our next scheduled delivery day. Sometimes as soon as the next day. Easy returns and exchanges.This process is exponentially easier at Chops than with an online retailer. No need to box it back up and visit a UPS store. Just send it back

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Aug 7, 2018 No Comments

The End Of An Era at Chops Percussion

On May 30, 2006, Jeff Huffman and I began our journey here at Chops Percussion. We had taught together before that and we had been roommates a couple of different times, so the two of us teaming up together to start Chops made perfect sense. For 12+ years now, the team known simply as “Jeff and Derek” have held down the fort here at Chops, which is what makes this blog so difficult to write. Made official as of this past Tuesday, Jeff will no longer be with Chops Percussion. He is moving on to a job with Hoshino USA, to help grow the Tama Marching Percussion line of instruments. Jeff is perfect for this position when you consider not only his dealer experience, but also his 6+ years of experience with the Tama product while leading Avon HS to multiple IPA State Championships and WGI PSW Finals appearances. Hoshino is very lucky to have him, and we are very sad to see him go. I can assure you of this: no one is sadder about this than I am, but I know Jeff will be great at his new gig and Tama will be a stronger brand because of

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Jul 5, 2018 No Comments
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