BOA Nationals: Columbus North, Columbus, Ind.

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 14, 2009)—The marching band from Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., gave their 2009 field show, “The Heist,” one last showing in the semi-final round at the Bands of America Grand National Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Composed in part by band director Keith Burton, the show has three distinct movements: Identity, Discovery, and The Chase.

As the show opens, artwork parades before us. Postimpressionist Georges Seurat’s oil on canvas A Sunday on La Grand Jatte (1884), now at the Art Institute of Chicago, is just one of them. This painting has been of particular interest to art historians in that it shows several people, most from different social classes, all gathered on the grass at the same public place. Yet, they don’t communicate.

By “postimpressionism,” I mean almost a rebellion against impressionism. Some art critics have called the technique “pointillism,” based on the precision of measurements in the painting. One arrestive thing about this canvas, though, is its size: over 3 meters wide. A genuine Impressionist would never use a canvas so large. Furthermore, the clear geometric shapes are different from what was painted during the French Impressionist period, which was more abstract in character.

The painting is not so significant in Columbus North’s show, however, where it is used solely for its value as a famous work of art—one that has feet and seems to be flying right down Michigan Avenue.

The music takes a dramatic pause near the end of the show’s second movement, as the flags keep twirling, and then, the stadium explodes with music. A high, screeching, wailing trumpet punctuates the final movement as a chase ensues in the drill.

Dancers are in gray suits (drum majors wear black with green fluorescent ties), part of the plot to abscond with the artwork. Some dancers carry briefcases that double as percussion implements, making it seem as though all items in their possession are just plain normal.

We know better, though, when the high and low brass, massive crescendos included, will not be denied their spot in the music. The final set has band members waving good-bye. Perhaps they wave to the thieves going off to prison, perhaps to us at the end of the show, perhaps to this season as the band puts another successful season into the history books.

The performance at the Bands of America Grand Nationals is the last for many bands. And for seniors in those bands, like stars on a championship football team, in terms of the grand memories we take from our high school careers, this day, this huge crowd, this imposing stadium, and their final set on this field—not to mention the tears in the “senior tunnel” or the hugs back at their hotels or on the bus rides home—will weigh heavily on their minds as they continue into adulthood.

Mr. Burton is assisted by percussion instructor and co-composer, B.J. Marks, and by Ryan Miller with the color guard. Bill Stultz is the dircector of bands at the high school, and drum majors for today’s field show are Adam Willats, Kristin Otto, and Joanna Chatham.

Animations and Coordinate Charts

Mr. Burton, Columbus North’s director, has put an animation* of the band’s field show online, and we are happy to mirror their posting, as of Dec. 2. The animations come in the form of Windows Media Player files (.wmv) and may not run properly on a Mac (sorry). Also note: these are very large files and may take a while to buffer on your computer, especially if you have a slow Internet connection.

Animation for Movement 1.wmv • Movement 2.wmv

In addition to the animation, PDF files are available, showing the directions given for each marcher to move during the show. This provides a rare glimpse at the drawing board for the output you see on the field.

PDF with coordinates for Movement 1 • Movement 2

 
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* Because the Chicago Voxitatis accepts no money for advertising, I can’t give advice, positive or negative, about the usefulness of any software product. Don’t get me wrong: I think making marching band animations on your computer is cool, but I also know there are lots of products for sale that can help you do it with class. My only advice, if you want your computer to help you with drill charts, is to consult trade journals, consumer magazines, or other independent publications that are edited for quality.