As Burlington Concert Band members continue to be isolated from each other as a result of not being able to meet weekly for rehearsals since March due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, one way we have been encouraged to stay in touch is by communicating through the band’s website (burlingtonconcertband.ca) Members Only forum. Gordon, one of our band executive members (clarinetist), who works as an Editor in the newspaper publishing company, Metroland came up with this alternative: Keeping Us Connected --- Weekly Questions for Members: Responses subsequently published in the band’s weekly newsletter, Notations.
This week’s question was: “What has been your go-to piece of music during the pandemic?” Including my own, there were a few responses from other members. The one that stood out the most for me was a video shared by member, Paula (flutist). She remarked “ Gord, I remember watching this show at DCI Canada...sitting with my fellow BTTB at Ivor Wynn Stadium. Madison Scouts' show was amazing and the last song in this show still gives me chills! With such a statement, I decided to view this 11:35 minute video in its entirety. The YouTube labeled it as 1988 Madison Scouts Malaguena DCI Drum Corp International Finals Full Video
This field show was indeed a very impressive one delivered by these performers in striking uniforms as they confidently and convincingly expressed themselves out in every aspect - visually, aurally, kinesthetically. Through the ariel shots and close up of the musicians, the videographer highlighted what this Drum Corp executed throughout the show with precision in movement and formation at that moment in time.
It was remarkable how the musicians and those individuals who manipulated their flags in performance kept in sync in their entire body movements - dancing, marching in all directions - while weaving in and out into the various patterns created. With every step, beat, rhythm, the instrumentalists were in line; not one appeared to be out of place; no faltering of the flags as they were thrown up in the air and caught or twirled in time to the music. In the ariel view, I could not help noticing that every member of this band seemed to be of the same in height and stature. Was this a criterion in the audition process I speculate or was this just an optical illusion?
When I studied this video intently by viewing it several times, it brought to mind what it takes to be well prepared for a competition. Without a doubt, it was in the Master Mind / Team commitment and dedication in the works for all intent and purpose, as each one - the conductor, choreographer, band manager, performers, and supporters (friends and family) - played a significant role in this directive; i.e. making it to the Finals.
In the planning out with attention to details in executing excellence in musicianship in the form of artistry and athleticism by these performers, who worked with the process over the months with unwavering perseverance through sweat and tears, I have rated this band as having earned an A triple+ in the goals that were realized in the discipline of music, and the activities that define it in context to the ‘Humanities’ in the nurturing of relationships in order to fulfill a dream. In the realization ... the icing was that it entertained the audience in the stadium; ultimately pleased by what they saw and heard. This was evident in the standing ovation and resounding applause that was given during and at the end of such colorful showmanship.
To have had this video still circulating thirty-two years after the fact, it has created a legacy that identifies the power and effect that the glorious sounds of music still has on the human spirit. With a slight change in the lyrics to that well-loved song in the movie Sound of Music, my creative bent propels me to sing: “The field was alive …” or to another well-known gospel melody “Oh when M Scouts, came marching in …”
