Chiaroscuro: Symphonic Dances in Shades of Darkness and Light
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"Chiaroscuro" was Capital Regiment's 2005 program. It was based on "Chiaroscuro", a wind ensemble piece by Robert Sheldon, though considerable original material was composed by corps arranger Jay Bocook.
Contents |
[edit] Design and Instructional Staff
Corps Director: Rick Bays
Assistant Director: Brian Tracht
Program Coordinator: Wayne Dillon
Music Arrangement: Jay Bocook, brass; Kevin Murphy, percussion
Drill Design: Jeff Sacktig
Brass Staff: Derek Gipson, caption head; Jason Reinhardt, mellophone tech; Geoff Chirgwin, trumpet tech; David Kirby, tuba tech
Percussion Staff: Kevin Murphy, caption head
Visual Staff: Garry Armstrong, caption head; Austin Greene, mellophone tech; Jared Morgan, trumpet tech; Jon Sharpe, baritone tech; Christen Juel
[edit] Corps Leaders
Drum Majors: Adam Noaielle, Patrick Murphy, Megan Kuhnhenn
Drum Captain: Will Stephenson
Horn Sergeant: Jake Drissell (left due to injury), Scotti Smith (left due to injury), Abbey Nixon
[edit] Theme & Design
The show sought to show the character and mood of different parts of the day, from midnight to morning, midday and evening.
The form of the show followed the traditional four-movement model of a drum corps show: Fast opener (night), slow ballad (morning), percussion feature (day), and fast closer (evening).
Like Capital's 2004 show, "A Celebration of Life: Mind, Body, and Spirit" the opener began with the corps at the back of the field, facing backwards. A "Westminster chimes" motive and the clocklike sounds of the drumline alluded to the theme of the show as the brass built to majestic fortissimo climax as they turned to the front of the field.
The ballad featured a small brass ensemble as well as trumpet, mellophone, and baritone solos. The corps formed a "sunrise" shape at a key musical impact to signify morning. Also noteworthy was the use of small handheld chimes by the battery, producing a "shimmering" effect. The hornline executed several ballet-inspired movements during this production.
The third piece, a percussion feature, was based on a Caribbean-sounding marimba part in Sheldon's original work. It used a 12-person small brass ensemble near the beginning. Part of the hornline's drill during the percussion feature forms a clock. At the end of the percussion feature, the hornline performed dance movements developed by the corps' visual staff.
The closer was in 6/8 time, conducted and marched in two. It contained a trumpet section feature near the end and concluded with a symmetrical "sun with rays" formation.
The show was intended to feature a soft ending that used soloists to recap the themes of each movement. Drill for this ending was distributed to members, but as the end of the season approached the staff decided that improving the existing product would be more productive than learning new material. Consequently, the final show is very short by drum corps standards, clocking in at less than 10 minutes.
[edit] Prop
In an effort to better present the show's theme, the corps utilized a large prop consisting of piece of aluminum at a roughly 45 degree angle with black fabric draped from it, intended to represent a sundial. This prop was mounted on a large, wheeled wooden base and moved around the field by two people during the show, forming part of the drill; often, the corps was arranged in a circular form around the prop, completing the image of a sundial. The black and silver fabric portion of the sundial was sewn by the mother of a hornline member.
The sundial generally confused fans, who often weren't sure what it was. It was widely criticized by members, who felt that its appearance detracted from the show and its movement within the drill often caused problems.
[edit] Reception
[edit] Audience Reaction
The corps experienced difficulties learning the closer of the show, leaving the program incomplete for some of the season. The sundial prop was confusing for many. In all, the program never achieved the popularity of the 2004 show.
[edit] Judges' Assessment
Much like the 2004 show, "Chiaroscuro" was designed to put a high level of demand on the corps' members. This resulted in the corps struggling competitively in the beginning of the season, but making a late surge in placements. In the early season the brass lost head-to-head to Pioneer, and as late as the Indianapolis regional, the corps was ranked 18th. The show suffered from design problems, with the third movement being modified many times, as well as the closer being delayed.
[edit] Placement
The corps placed 15th at the DCI World Championships in Foxboro, MA.
