Drill Project 2008
Thoughts on THE OPENER: Aqua
Scott Kurtzweil
As we have mentioned in previous writings, the overarching show concept for Wyandotte this year is Aqua. The first movement of this original work for marching band is titled Vapor and the staff and I wanted to pick-up the randomness and transparent quality of a vapor cloud. You’ll see this theme come back at various times though out the opener but the introduction will have the most layering of efforts.
The starting line finds only the marching drums in any semblance of form. The woodwinds frame the drums in a random set on the left while the brass and guard form a downstage frame. This opening set will find the wind musicians and guard in various poses to further enhance the random look to the picture.
STARTING LINE
The initial focus, both musically and visually is the drum line. They will be the only active section on the field for the first few pages. The color guard staff introduces the idea of using large exercise balls as representative of water vapor or molecules. This is first introduced on the soloist within the drum line and then within the brass.
PAGE 1
PAGE 2
PAGE 4
As the wind voices enter, they take a more active role in the drill. First the woodwinds are activated (yet still frame the drums). And then the brasses activate.
PAGE 5
As the introduction builds to the first “HIT”, staging becomes extremely important. Note that the entire band on page 7 finds itself within the “Power Zone” (between the 35s and forward of center field). This will help with dynamic impact. Also, because Wyandotte has a small guard using props that have a low vertical reach, I wanted to pull them down stage and highlight them as much as possible. This will add a good focus to the picture as well as make the coming equipment change easier.
PAGE 7
After the first bug hit, the musical score softens into a more lilting melody with moderate counterpoint. To pick this up, we softened the forms but kept the sections fairly well integrated to better accomplish cohesion in the ensemble performance. Note the guard is also changing equipment here to pick up the musical change.
PAGE 13
PAGE 15
After building to a second stand-still “hit”, the music moves into one large transition to the end. The staff and I thought this to be a god place to bring back the “vapor” concept and I worked it into the drill design in small pods that build to the final hit of the opener before again disintegrating back to a formless picture.
PAGE 22
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
PAGE 25
Next time . . . we tackle creating a liquid.
