Breakdown of a Marching Band Show

For those of you are not familiar with marching band, we have 10 minutes from the time the first foot steps on the field until everyone is off the field to get set up, perform our show, and to get off. Our shows are usually then about 7 minutes in order to meet the time requirement. You are allowed to continue if you run over the time limit, however you are severely penalized in your points for the awards.

We have three movements(musical pieces) this year in the show. Normally we have four, but since our opener and closer are about two to three minutes each,( which is really long for a marching band piece) you only have room for one more movement in the show. The typical order for a marching band show is the opener at the beginning(duh), then another song and the ballad ( which may be flipped ) and then the closer at the, you guessed it: the end.

The opener is the first thing your judges and your audience will hear. So first impressions are critical to your success. If you produce a good first sound, you will definitely be noticed and your score will certainly be more favorable.

Your ballad must be soft and pretty. If you can't convey emotion in your ballad, you aren't really playing. You must be sensitive to the changes in the music, not only the dynamics, but also the phrasing and the blend. The whole point of the ballad, and music in general, it to create emotion in it's audience. Your ballad should build and build up to an emotional zenith and then softly float down from it until it, like the morning mist, disappears without you realizing it.

The closer is the last impression that your audience has of you. This is usually the biggest sound and marching effect that you will have. This is when you are tired of marching and your sound is not as strong. This is when you bring out all of your energy and put everything you have into this show.

While your show is extremely important, your presentation on and off the field is just as important. You are always in set position (at attention) when you are blocked up and ready to take the field. It is important that everyone is as still as possible because at any time, someone is always looking at you, and any movement is very visible. So if you aren't supposed to be moving, you shouldn't be.

In essence, the show should tell a story or convey a message and a feeling. And each movement is a different flavor in the meal. So is every story set to music tells.