Biggest unknowns going into the season?

[Narrow]

-snip- my mistake

Edited March 31, 2014 by Narrow

[tja273]

funny I remember corps many many years ago handing these things out in the stands

I remember once most shows had these things called "programs". It was a book like thing you paid $3-$5 for which listed all of the corps and whatever description they wanted for the corps and/or the show. Back in those "olden days" it was mostly just a list of songs, but think about how useful something like that would be today. Never mind...we have evolved beyond such simple things...

[GUARDLING]

I remember once most shows had these things called "programs". It was a book like thing you paid $3-$5 for which listed all of the corps and whatever description they wanted for the corps and/or the show. Back in those "olden days" it was mostly just a list of songs, but think about how useful something like that would be today. Never mind...we have evolved beyond such simple things...

Also, remember how cheap tickets were,.lol. Then again a gas was not what it is now either..lol...new world !

[MikeD]

Indeed - PR was well ahead of their time.

Actually, they were a decade behind the times, as Garfield passed out librettos a decade prior, in 1971...written by DCP's own Onceuponatime.

[quietcity]

Can't fans just download the libretto to their iPads? I mean, the corps have an app for that, right?

[MikeD]

Actually, they were a decade behind the times, as Garfield passed out librettos a decade prior, in 1971...written by DCP's own Onceuponatime.

..and here it is...

The Cadets of Garfield

present

America the Brave – 1776

The Cadets of Garfield are attempting to add an extra dimension to their routine this season through introduction of a story line based on America’s struggle for Independence – 1776. This is not an easy task, since the Cadets must work without the benefit of spoken dialogue, scenery, costumes or the special theatrical effects of the stage. Instead, the story line must be developed exclusively through choice of musical selections, sequence of presentation and coordination of drill and visual effects. In addition, they must somehow capture the imagination of their audience, and transport several thousand people back in time to another era. The period is 1776…thirteen proud, rebellious colonies, thirsting for collective identity and poised on the precipice of revolution.

As the Cadets assume their positions on the starting line they are divided into two separate segments. To the right the British Forces of King George (heavy horns), to the left the American Colonists (sopranos). Times are troubled, and Garfield’s story opens with the sound of drums and a burst of flags heralding the end of an era. Listen carefully for the prophetic tympani sounds of “LONDON BRIDGE’S FALLING DOWN” meshed into the percussion introduction. The British enter, then the Americans, and both sides combine to introduce the stirring theme of “YANKEE DOODLE”. This unity of purpose and presentation is not destined to endure though, and as the final notes of “Yankee Doodle” echo into the bleachers the two segments split, and with heavy hearts and questioning minds drift apart to the sad lament of “CHACONNE IN Eb.” For a second time drums command attention, as the simulated sight and sound of cannons with coordinated rifle drill transport us to Bunker Hill, and we witness the “Shots heard ‘round the world.” At this point even a deceptively light hearted social function becomes tinged with tension and challenge as the British “MINUET,” the Americans “HOEDOWN,” and “THE WORLD TURNS UPSIDE DOWN.” The die is cast…..Revolution!!!…..and events begin to move ever more compellingly towards their chilling climax. To the tune of “THIS CRUEL WAR” both sides move to opposing sides of the field. The Americans, executing “CHESTER,” drill and prepare for attack in the far right corner. The British meanwhile move to midfield to establish a sideline “CHRISTMAS EVE” encampment to a symbolic “SILENT NIGHT” carol medley in preparation for reenactment of the historical “Battle of Trenton.” “Chester” builds into a direct challenge, answered by the awesome power and majesty of “RULE BRITANNIA.” Both formations now break and expand as the two armies move towards each other, “AMERICA” and “RULE BRITANNIA“ ringing in our ears. Simulated infantry lines drop to their knees…fire…withdraw…reload…advance…fire again, until the battle banners clash head on, while the sound of drums crescendo into the dizzying, frightening, overwhelming sounds of battle. Once again the formation shifts, as the horns make their tumultuous contribution to the conflict. One by one brave men fall – a final cavalry charge – then silence…..

Faintly, a soft chorale of horns cries up from the battlefield, and the graves of heroes give birth to a new Nation. Free men stand for the first time as Americans, while a funeral dirge of drums echoes a final farewell to the past. A new nation celebrates the joy of self-discovery in concert with Ives’ “VARIATIONS ON AMERICA.” Subtly the concert formation shifts. “America” soars into the familiar and spine tingling “BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC,” and the flags of two great Nations are presented in their most familiar context…emblems of peace. This completes our story, and as Garfield prepares to exit, the dreams of mankind for dignity, freedom and self-determination are given expression in John F. Kennedy’s moving musical memorial, “PROFILES IN COURAGE.” One final statement of theme and reminder of origin in “YANKEE DOODLE,” and the Cadets, preceded by the flags of Great Britain and America fluttering side by side in the breeze, cross the finish line.

[Quad Aces]

..and here it is...

The Cadets of Garfield

present

America the Brave 1776

The Cadets of Garfield are attempting to add an extra dimension to their routine this season through introduction of a story line based on Americas struggle for Independence 1776. This is not an easy task, since the Cadets must work without the benefit of spoken dialogue, scenery, costumes or the special theatrical effects of the stage. Instead, the story line must be developed exclusively through choice of musical selections, sequence of presentation and coordination of drill and visual effects. In addition, they must somehow capture the imagination of their audience, and transport several thousand people back in time to another era. The period is 1776thirteen proud, rebellious colonies, thirsting for collective identity and poised on the precipice of revolution.

As the Cadets assume their positions on the starting line they are divided into two separate segments. To the right the British Forces of King George (heavy horns), to the left the American Colonists (sopranos). Times are troubled, and Garfields story opens with the sound of drums and a burst of flags heralding the end of an era. Listen carefully for the prophetic tympani sounds of LONDON BRIDGES FALLING DOWN meshed into the percussion introduction. The British enter, then the Americans, and both sides combine to introduce the stirring theme of YANKEE DOODLE. This unity of purpose and presentation is not destined to endure though, and as the final notes of Yankee Doodle echo into the bleachers the two segments split, and with heavy hearts and questioning minds drift apart to the sad lament of CHACONNE IN Eb. For a second time drums command attention, as the simulated sight and sound of cannons with coordinated rifle drill transport us to Bunker Hill, and we witness the Shots heard round the world. At this point even a deceptively light hearted social function becomes tinged with tension and challenge as the British MINUET, the Americans HOEDOWN, and THE WORLD TURNS UPSIDE DOWN. The die is cast..Revolution!!!..and events begin to move ever more compellingly towards their chilling climax. To the tune of THIS CRUEL WAR both sides move to opposing sides of the field. The Americans, executing CHESTER, drill and prepare for attack in the far right corner. The British meanwhile move to midfield to establish a sideline CHRISTMAS EVE encampment to a symbolic SILENT NIGHT carol medley in preparation for reenactment of the historical Battle of Trenton. Chester builds into a direct challenge, answered by the awesome power and majesty of RULE BRITANNIA. Both formations now break and expand as the two armies move towards each other, AMERICA and RULE BRITANNIA ringing in our ears. Simulated infantry lines drop to their kneesfirewithdrawreloadadvancefire again, until the battle banners clash head on, while the sound of drums crescendo into the dizzying, frightening, overwhelming sounds of battle. Once again the formation shifts, as the horns make their tumultuous contribution to the conflict. One by one brave men fall a final cavalry charge then silence..

Faintly, a soft chorale of horns cries up from the battlefield, and the graves of heroes give birth to a new Nation. Free men stand for the first time as Americans, while a funeral dirge of drums echoes a final farewell to the past. A new nation celebrates the joy of self-discovery in concert with Ives VARIATIONS ON AMERICA. Subtly the concert formation shifts. America soars into the familiar and spine tingling BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC, and the flags of two great Nations are presented in their most familiar contextemblems of peace. This completes our story, and as Garfield prepares to exit, the dreams of mankind for dignity, freedom and self-determination are given expression in John F. Kennedys moving musical memorial, PROFILES IN COURAGE. One final statement of theme and reminder of origin in YANKEE DOODLE, and the Cadets, preceded by the flags of Great Britain and America fluttering side by side in the breeze, cross the finish line.

Wow - how cool!! Had no idea. Thought Phantom was the first. Thanks for clearing that up.

[BRASSO]

..and here it is...

The Cadets of Garfield

present

America the Brave – 1776

The Cadets of Garfield are attempting to add an extra dimension to their routine this season through introduction of a story line based on America’s struggle for Independence – 1776. This is not an easy task, since the Cadets must work without the benefit of spoken dialogue, scenery, costumes or the special theatrical effects of the stage. Instead, the story line must be developed exclusively through choice of musical selections, sequence of presentation and coordination of drill and visual effects. In addition, they must somehow capture the imagination of their audience, and transport several thousand people back in time to another era. The period is 1776…thirteen proud, rebellious colonies, thirsting for collective identity and poised on the precipice of revolution.

As the Cadets assume their positions on the starting line they are divided into two separate segments. To the right the British Forces of King George (heavy horns), to the left the American Colonists (sopranos). Times are troubled, and Garfield’s story opens with the sound of drums and a burst of flags heralding the end of an era. Listen carefully for the prophetic tympani sounds of “LONDON BRIDGE’S FALLING DOWN” meshed into the percussion introduction. The British enter, then the Americans, and both sides combine to introduce the stirring theme of “YANKEE DOODLE”. This unity of purpose and presentation is not destined to endure though, and as the final notes of “Yankee Doodle” echo into the bleachers the two segments split, and with heavy hearts and questioning minds drift apart to the sad lament of “CHACONNE IN Eb.” For a second time drums command attention, as the simulated sight and sound of cannons with coordinated rifle drill transport us to Bunker Hill, and we witness the “Shots heard ‘round the world.” At this point even a deceptively light hearted social function becomes tinged with tension and challenge as the British “MINUET,” the Americans “HOEDOWN,” and “THE WORLD TURNS UPSIDE DOWN.” The die is cast…..Revolution!!!…..and events begin to move ever more compellingly towards their chilling climax. To the tune of “THIS CRUEL WAR” both sides move to opposing sides of the field. The Americans, executing “CHESTER,” drill and prepare for attack in the far right corner. The British meanwhile move to midfield to establish a sideline “CHRISTMAS EVE” encampment to a symbolic “SILENT NIGHT” carol medley in preparation for reenactment of the historical “Battle of Trenton.” “Chester” builds into a direct challenge, answered by the awesome power and majesty of “RULE BRITANNIA.” Both formations now break and expand as the two armies move towards each other, “AMERICA” and “RULE BRITANNIA“ ringing in our ears. Simulated infantry lines drop to their knees…fire…withdraw…reload…advance…fire again, until the battle banners clash head on, while the sound of drums crescendo into the dizzying, frightening, overwhelming sounds of battle. Once again the formation shifts, as the horns make their tumultuous contribution to the conflict. One by one brave men fall – a final cavalry charge – then silence…..

Faintly, a soft chorale of horns cries up from the battlefield, and the graves of heroes give birth to a new Nation. Free men stand for the first time as Americans, while a funeral dirge of drums echoes a final farewell to the past. A new nation celebrates the joy of self-discovery in concert with Ives’ “VARIATIONS ON AMERICA.” Subtly the concert formation shifts. “America” soars into the familiar and spine tingling “BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC,” and the flags of two great Nations are presented in their most familiar context…emblems of peace. This completes our story, and as Garfield prepares to exit, the dreams of mankind for dignity, freedom and self-determination are given expression in John F. Kennedy’s moving musical memorial, “PROFILES IN COURAGE.” One final statement of theme and reminder of origin in “YANKEE DOODLE,” and the Cadets, preceded by the flags of Great Britain and America fluttering side by side in the breeze, cross the finish line.

I think this show has potential. The notion however that one can do a show revolving around the American Revolution and the gunshots ( not canon fire ) that started the Revolution that secured our Independence on the fields of Lexington and Concord, without the customary Corps rifles however does seem a bit odd, when they could have been available to the Cadets to more accurately and historically display where the first shots " Heard 'round the World " actually came from that ultimately led to our freedoms we enjoy today. Those shots that started it all came from a solitary rifle, ( Historians unsure if it was fired off first from the Brits or from the Massachusetts Militia) on the Battle Green of Lexington, Ma with the combatants close and just a few yards from one another. ( not fired off from any canon at a distance ). But other than that, it seems an interesting theme, and I'm looking forward to its musical and visual presentation by the Cadets this summer with it.

Edited April 1, 2014 by BRASSO

[Photographer Jim]

Garfield plans to use a life-sized replica of Stonehenge.

And their amplifiers will all go to eleven.

[Ghost]

Two different uniforms?

Also, how often in the past has a corps explained their show song by song? My initial thoughts was that this is an explanation announcement for the judging community.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Ghost