Field Show Band This year our field show is entitled: "Titanic - Music Inspired by the Titanic". We were going to do a show based on the movie soundtrack, but found out that there was more of a selection if we broaden our horizons. The following "show synopsis" has been taken from the December issue of the Wimsical Notes. "Birth of a Field Show" by Jonathan Chang The first selection is "The Overture from the Musical Titanic". The musical opened in April of 1997, prior to the release of the movie. Like the movie, the stage production recieved many accolades, including the Tony Award for Best Musical. The music goes through several mood changes. It is meant to convey the granduer and expanse of the ship. Some have described the music even as the exploration of the sunken ship in the present day, with the climax of the music being a discovery of something big (much like the beginning of the movie). The second selection is titled "Itsbynne Reel". This is a Celtic piece from "The Celtic Album" performed by The Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart. The intention of this selection was to display the festive spirit on board prior to the disaster. Here, our auxiliary units are featured as the dance on the field. The third selection is titled "Death of Titanic" and is the first piece heard in the show to come from the soundtrack of James Cameron's movie. For those expecting the whole show to be from the movie, it is not until a third of the way into the show that you hear music from the movie. While the music is actually taken from the scenes of all the chaos well after the collision with the iceberg, the music is supposed to evoke the chaotic feeling as the ship collides and the mayhem that ensues immediately after. Perhaps the most recognizable piece of the show is "Rose." Often confused with the popular Celine Dion hit "My Heart Will Go On," "Rose" is a rememberance of the lives of those who were on board the fateful ship. It is a haunting melody that is much slower then the Celine Dion version and does not find its rhythmic pulse from the battery percussion as much of the rest of the show music does. The efect of the music is further enhanced with the band performing to the back side of the field. In a stadium with the back side closed, the effect is tremendous as you hear the echo rebounding to the front. If you have seen the movie and recognize "Southhampton," you would think that this selection is misplaced since the music appears when the ship is beginning its journey. Musically, the show needed closure. Instead of ending on a down moment, "Southampton" closes the show on a strong point. To me, "Southampton" is not only about the ship leaving port and sailing across the seas, but it cn be about promise and future for those who have survived and even for the families of those who died. It is a moment where we can see that there is life beyond the tragedy of Titanic. 1997 Awards: Parade Band With 105 performers, the RWMA were on the streets again marching to the sounds of "Liberty Bell" by John Philip Sousa. The RWMA only entered 2 band reviews, but it was definatly a different experience. At our first review, which was at the Walnut Festival Parade, we took first place in band, first in drill team, and drum major sweepstakes. At our second review, which was at the Chino Band Review, we took second in our division, fourth in colorguard, and second in drill team. |  |
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