Lafayette HS Marching Band "Polovetsian Dances" 1993

Lafayette HS Marching Band of Lexington, KY, J. Steven Moore & Terry Magee, directors. Brian Mason, percussion; Milton Minor and Mike Williams, color guard. The show concept was similar to the previous year ("Pictures at an Exhibition"); goal to play concert music on the field & sound like a concert band. WW sound & virtuosic technique were essential. The show opened with "Russian and Ludmilla" by Glinka. Glinka is father figure of the Mighty 5, included Borodin, the composer of "Polovetsian Dances."
The show proved more challenging than anticipated, with soloistic playing, complex meters, & ambitious drill. We realized it was right at the edge of what was possible, especially given the limited amount of rehearsal time allotted to the marching band. The Symphonic Band had been selected to perform at the Midwest International Band Clinic in Chicago in December, so all focus was on that performance. What happened? Beyond staff using every rehearsal technique known, a dedicated group of STUDENT LEADERS worked with each individual in the band outside of the short rehearsal time. They set the standard for excellence and didn't rest until every student achieved it.
The opener featured another kaleidoscopic beginning (Rob Depp speciality) that was nearly impossible to teach and march (collisions are built into the design and have to be smoothed out on the field). The fabulous guard had a toss (and catch) over 4 beats of silence to set up the climactic phrase of the opener. And the band members backward marched into a dense, 1 step diagonal interval wedge in the center of the field. This was a highly exposed move and took numerous, accurate repetitions and a lot of trust to achieve.
The drum solo was an integral part of the show, encompassing one entire movement and being an exceptional 1:40 in duration. The solos featured multiple sounds from the sticks, heads, and rims. The winds and guard marched about 20 sets during this solo and brought back a bit of high mark time. The guard debuted another innovative prop--PHYSIO BALLS--big red bouncing balls, also integrated into the flag design. The guard covered a tremendous amount of ground during this 100 seconds and developed all new techniques for "ball handling." And as kids will be, one could hear and see the slogan, "Our guard has balls." I never could quite dissuade that from happening--haha--but after all the discipline and dedication, how can you blame them?! As usual parents came to the rescue designing decorated boxes to hold the balls and keep them hidden until unveiled.
The closer featured the tune commonly known as "Strangers in Paradise," in the Borodin it is "Gliding Dance of the Maidens." Whenever possible, I tried to bring in some tune recognition to the normal audience members since the overall show was primarily classical music unknown to many. The closer featured a lot of woodwinds, soloists, and relentless 8 count drill moves which had been popularized by the Cavaliers and Steve Brubaker. And once again, I don't know what I was thinking with around a 100 sets of drill and many subsets.
The signature L A F A Y E T T E sellout was one of the more unique and creative we used. Each letter came into focus from left to right in sequence, with the music custom arranged to fit the drill instead of the other way around as is usual. After all 9 letters appear in an arc spanning the field, the letters moved and condensed into the more normal position parallel to the sideline. Another ridiculously demanding drill move, especially with the challenging music. But one that the students, parents, and many audience members loved. It became a bit of a challenge to come up with something new each year to add a twist to the LAFAYETTE spellout. This was particularly true given that it was considered PASSÉ for a modern, competitive marching band to SPELL like the traditional big ten marching bands. But I felt like it gave the audience something to look forward to each year and was a welcome relief from all the squiggly wiggly abstract forms that often made zero sense to the average Friday night football audience.
The students earned their 4 straight Grand Championship at the MTSU Contest of Champions and 4th straight Kentucky State Championship. The seniors were deservedly proud of their 4 years of championships culminating in a Midwest performance.
If that wasn't enough, the Ky State Championships were marred by an ugly snow storm. When we arrived at prelims in Bowling Green, it had been snowing & forecast was terrible. KMEA sent word: NO FINALS at WKU. The prelim show would determine the state champion. We left the kids on the bus & skipped "warmups" in the freezing weather. Each bus warmed up on its own. At the last minute, we told the kids to run to the field and give the show of your life, because this is it. Somehow, they marched & played this show in the muddy cold, damp weather. You gotta love band kids.