2008 Drum Corps Repertoires

[Hostrauser]

Doubtful. I'm sure there have been virtuoso's passing through the DCI ranks that might be able to handle it, it just doesn't seem like it would fit with that program design.

[JenKozy]

Psst. Mandarin's FINALLY posted their show!

[Hostrauser]

http://www.bknights.org/news/default.asp?id=292

Knight Reign
-- Cloudburst by Eric Whitacre
-- Turbine by John Mackey
-- Jeux D’eau by Maurice Ravel
-- Amazing Grace arr. by Russ Newbury and Jeff Ausdemore

Design Staff
Rob Billings – Artistic Director, Visual Design
Russ Newbury – Brass Arrangements
Jeff Ausdemore – Percussion Arrangements

Program Notes:
Blue Knights proudly celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the corps’ organization this year, remembering all the great years as well as the challenges that preceded the Blue Knights of today.

Some years were more fun than others, and some years were downright scary. In retrospect, it’s a wonder the corps survived some of the more challenging difficulties placed in its way during its half century of evolution. But the roadblocks of the past instilled in the corps a grit and determination to move forward, stronger and more focused on the future.

Everything in the corps’ past—the triumphs and the letdowns—comes together in the corps’ 2008 show, “Knight Reign.” The show celebrates the glory and the adversity that has molded the personality and fortitude of the corps over the years.

The reign of the corps, reflected in the title, is poetically reflected in the sound and visual representation of rain. A play on words…yes…but one that is most appropriate to convey the meaning of the theme. If it’s true that into every life a little rain must fall, then no “reign” is truly complete without a little “rain.”

The guard opens the show to the sound of rain in Eric Whitacre’s “Cloudburst,” conveying a visual representation of the falling rain heard in the music. John Mackey’s “Turbine” floods the field in a deluge of power unleashed by the brass line, the storm front a vortex of resonating tornado effects.

Through any storm that we persevere, whether real as in weather or metaphorical as in life’s challenges, we ultimately celebrate the joy we find in our survival. This is heard in Maurice Ravel’s “Jeux D’eau,” literally translated as “laughing rain.” We realize we’re full of life’s greatest gift, life itself; and thus we laugh at the confrontations of the past and move on.

With hope and anticipation for the future, the commemoration of what has transpired and what is to come culminates with a fresh take on the tradition hymn tune, “Amazing Grace,” full of percussive grandeur that beats into our soul the very promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Before the show ends, you’ll sense the sun breaking through any remaining storm clouds to uplift our souls and light the way to the corp's next fifty years

[Hostrauser]

Updated first post with Spirit from JSU song selections.

[Hostrauser]

After announcing an abridged tour schedule earlier this year, it appear the Seattle Cascades will be inactive for 2008.

[Hostrauser]

Updated first post.
-- Removed Seattle Cascades
-- Updated with SCV's unique addition to their show (Indian techno? Really?)

Not that it necessarily fits here, but this year's narration list (for certain) will include:
The Cadets
Carolina Crown
Phantom Regiment

[Wildabeast]

Updated first post.

-- Updated with SCV's unique addition to their show (Indian techno? Really?)

Yep....and someone joked whether the name of the show should be changed to "4our".