Band Show Organizing~
It's an endless cycle. One marching season comes to an end and it's time to start thinking about another. Directors and staff members will spend many hours reviewing what went well the past year, what could've gone better, and what to do next season.
Many aspects come into planning. Personnel must be addressed: what holes or gaps will be left by those graduating or moving on? How does the incoming class look? What changes in writing or instructional staff are anticipated? Is the group engaged in competitive activity, and if so, are there impending changes in judging sheets or approaches that need to be taken into consideration? Intended audience and venues?
Budget, scheduling, and other logistical issues must be considered. What kind of resources of time, talent, and money will be available? Many school districts are feeling increased financial pressures; will these impact schedules or staff expenditures? If new equipment, uniforms, or costuming will be introduced, how will these influence show planning?
Once these types of questions have been looked at, it's time for the actual show planning process. Although no one can anticipate everything, it's safe to say that few activities will have more impact than planning on the degree of success a group will experience.
Generating Ideas
Many directors enter into the planning process with at least a couple of ideas. These could range from a particular piece of music to a thematic approach or visual idea. Many ideas are generated over a period of time in a kind of ongoing conversation between classes and rehearsals.
Remember to factor in the performers as you begin thinking. They're going to spend a considerable amount of time playing this stuff, so at the very least try to use music that has some substance and will wear well over the course of a season.
Although trends come and go, a lot of groups are currently having success by finding music that supports a themed presentation. In this approach, the original intended purpose or title of the work is subordinate to its use as a vehicle in playing out the theme or main idea. There are many concert band selections that can nicely support any number of such ideas.
Group identity should be considered. Does tradition or costuming imply a certain direction, or is it time for a change? Directors who find themselves in the first year or two of a new position are advised to tread lightly here, as traditions die hard.
Concepts or show ideas must be easily communicated and readily discernible to the audience. As a rule, the marching band idiom is not the place to be subtle. Avoid planning themed presentations around nothing but song titles unless the selections are so well-known that everyone will recognize your intent.
Planning Sessions with Staff
The best and freshest ideas usually come from meeting with staff members. Such meetings, formal or informal, provide a certain synergy in which people can bounce ideas off one another. Try to find a time when all stakeholders—directors, writers, and instructional staff—can meet face-to-face.
Leadership styles in these sessions are as varied as one could imagine. Some directors have a very clear view of what they wish to accomplish, while others may hand off creative decisions to a show coordinator or trusted subordinate. Most fall somewhere in between.
Keep sessions relaxed but try to stay on task. Follow the brainstorming model in which the generation of ideas is the important thing—their value or worth can be judged later on. More often than not, you'll walk out of a planning session with a very different idea or direction, but hopefully one that will give the group its best chances for success.
Communicating with Writing Staff
Once music has been selected and copyright clearance has been obtained, it's time to formally lay out the show with the writing staff.
When communicating with your arranger(s), you'll need to provide either written scores or some kind of recording. Some directors prefer to make their own cuts, others leave it up to the arranger.
You'll need to provide some very specific information for your arranger, including probable instrumentation, relative strength of various sections, and whether or not there are particular sections or soloists you want to feature. Be specific in addressing emotional contour, segment/show length, and continuity.
If more than one writer is working on the music book—for example, a wind score person and a percussion writer—try to find people with compatible schedules and working procedures. In any event, unless you have a long-standing relationship with a writer, it's a good idea to draw up a simple agreement as to expectations on product, delivery time, and compensation.
Since most writers are working with computer software these days, a lot of communication can be done via e-mail. Scores, MIDI, and audio files can be exchanged efficiently between arrangers and visual designers to keep everyone on the same page and speed the writing process.
As to your visual people, they'll require information from you as to projected numbers, instrumentation, and so forth. Make sure that arrangers and drill writers are on the same page when it comes to handling sections—e.g., are you wanting the Tenor Saxes supporting low brass parts, or do you want them musically and visually grouped with the woodwinds?
Be specific in addressing exactly how you want instruments placed and guard integrated into the drill. Will large props, set pieces, or tarps be used? Where exactly on the field will these be placed? Spend adequate time with the color guard people in coordinating and integrating guard work, costuming and props, and equipment exchanges into the total package.
Be realistic and conservative in estimating numbers. Filling "holes" is time-consuming and hard on the morale of a group. Better to have a couple extra or alternate marchers on hand than to be scrambling all season to re-assign spots.
Writing to the Judging Sheets
Assuming you are planning a competitive show, there's a lot to be said for spending some time with the judging sheets at the start of the planning and writing process. The sheets vary from one judging association or state to another, so make sure your writers are up to speed on this (the best ones already are).
Although most scores ultimately come down to execution, there are numerous aspects of musical and visual book design that can help push scores into the higher boxes on judging sheets. Continuity, variety, pacing, integration of guard, and demand all play parts in the scoring process, and your writers can either help or hinder your efforts. Re-read the sheets with an eye toward those things that your writers can fulfill, and communicate these to them.
Though your intent may be in writing for the "special audience" that comprises the judging panel, remember the "general audience" as well. And watch out for taking the whole thing too seriously—some light-heated moments or a little humor go a long way in reaching an audience.
The show that reflects and enhances the group's identity, communicates its intent in a clear and coordinated manner, and challenges your performers without overwhelming them gives your band the best chance of success.
Many aspects come into planning. Personnel must be addressed: what holes or gaps will be left by those graduating or moving on? How does the incoming class look? What changes in writing or instructional staff are anticipated? Is the group engaged in competitive activity, and if so, are there impending changes in judging sheets or approaches that need to be taken into consideration? Intended audience and venues?
Budget, scheduling, and other logistical issues must be considered. What kind of resources of time, talent, and money will be available? Many school districts are feeling increased financial pressures; will these impact schedules or staff expenditures? If new equipment, uniforms, or costuming will be introduced, how will these influence show planning?
Once these types of questions have been looked at, it's time for the actual show planning process. Although no one can anticipate everything, it's safe to say that few activities will have more impact than planning on the degree of success a group will experience.
Generating Ideas
Many directors enter into the planning process with at least a couple of ideas. These could range from a particular piece of music to a thematic approach or visual idea. Many ideas are generated over a period of time in a kind of ongoing conversation between classes and rehearsals.
Remember to factor in the performers as you begin thinking. They're going to spend a considerable amount of time playing this stuff, so at the very least try to use music that has some substance and will wear well over the course of a season.
Although trends come and go, a lot of groups are currently having success by finding music that supports a themed presentation. In this approach, the original intended purpose or title of the work is subordinate to its use as a vehicle in playing out the theme or main idea. There are many concert band selections that can nicely support any number of such ideas.
Group identity should be considered. Does tradition or costuming imply a certain direction, or is it time for a change? Directors who find themselves in the first year or two of a new position are advised to tread lightly here, as traditions die hard.
Concepts or show ideas must be easily communicated and readily discernible to the audience. As a rule, the marching band idiom is not the place to be subtle. Avoid planning themed presentations around nothing but song titles unless the selections are so well-known that everyone will recognize your intent.
Planning Sessions with Staff
The best and freshest ideas usually come from meeting with staff members. Such meetings, formal or informal, provide a certain synergy in which people can bounce ideas off one another. Try to find a time when all stakeholders—directors, writers, and instructional staff—can meet face-to-face.
Leadership styles in these sessions are as varied as one could imagine. Some directors have a very clear view of what they wish to accomplish, while others may hand off creative decisions to a show coordinator or trusted subordinate. Most fall somewhere in between.
Keep sessions relaxed but try to stay on task. Follow the brainstorming model in which the generation of ideas is the important thing—their value or worth can be judged later on. More often than not, you'll walk out of a planning session with a very different idea or direction, but hopefully one that will give the group its best chances for success.
Communicating with Writing Staff
Once music has been selected and copyright clearance has been obtained, it's time to formally lay out the show with the writing staff.
When communicating with your arranger(s), you'll need to provide either written scores or some kind of recording. Some directors prefer to make their own cuts, others leave it up to the arranger.
You'll need to provide some very specific information for your arranger, including probable instrumentation, relative strength of various sections, and whether or not there are particular sections or soloists you want to feature. Be specific in addressing emotional contour, segment/show length, and continuity.
If more than one writer is working on the music book—for example, a wind score person and a percussion writer—try to find people with compatible schedules and working procedures. In any event, unless you have a long-standing relationship with a writer, it's a good idea to draw up a simple agreement as to expectations on product, delivery time, and compensation.
Since most writers are working with computer software these days, a lot of communication can be done via e-mail. Scores, MIDI, and audio files can be exchanged efficiently between arrangers and visual designers to keep everyone on the same page and speed the writing process.
As to your visual people, they'll require information from you as to projected numbers, instrumentation, and so forth. Make sure that arrangers and drill writers are on the same page when it comes to handling sections—e.g., are you wanting the Tenor Saxes supporting low brass parts, or do you want them musically and visually grouped with the woodwinds?
Be specific in addressing exactly how you want instruments placed and guard integrated into the drill. Will large props, set pieces, or tarps be used? Where exactly on the field will these be placed? Spend adequate time with the color guard people in coordinating and integrating guard work, costuming and props, and equipment exchanges into the total package.
Be realistic and conservative in estimating numbers. Filling "holes" is time-consuming and hard on the morale of a group. Better to have a couple extra or alternate marchers on hand than to be scrambling all season to re-assign spots.
Writing to the Judging Sheets
Assuming you are planning a competitive show, there's a lot to be said for spending some time with the judging sheets at the start of the planning and writing process. The sheets vary from one judging association or state to another, so make sure your writers are up to speed on this (the best ones already are).
Although most scores ultimately come down to execution, there are numerous aspects of musical and visual book design that can help push scores into the higher boxes on judging sheets. Continuity, variety, pacing, integration of guard, and demand all play parts in the scoring process, and your writers can either help or hinder your efforts. Re-read the sheets with an eye toward those things that your writers can fulfill, and communicate these to them.
Though your intent may be in writing for the "special audience" that comprises the judging panel, remember the "general audience" as well. And watch out for taking the whole thing too seriously—some light-heated moments or a little humor go a long way in reaching an audience.
The show that reflects and enhances the group's identity, communicates its intent in a clear and coordinated manner, and challenges your performers without overwhelming them gives your band the best chance of success.
Disco Party Organizing~
Planning a 70’s Disco Party? Why not become John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever, or maybe Austin Powers? Turn your house into a retro-fitted dance party from the 1970’s. Have guests come dressed in the favourite disco attire, and award prizes to promote creativity.
Have a dance contest and show of your best disco moves like the Hustle or the Bump. Decorate with all classic Disco decorations. Here are some of our Disco party ideas to help you and your guests boogie the night away!
Disco Party Supplies and Disco Decorations :
Get everything you need for your Disco Theme Party with this Party Kit!
Disco Party Music:
No Disco Party would be complete without the music. Here is a list of favourite disco music from the 1970’s Disco Fever era:
Serve whatever you would normally serve at your parties but if you want include the following:
Have a dance contest and show of your best disco moves like the Hustle or the Bump. Decorate with all classic Disco decorations. Here are some of our Disco party ideas to help you and your guests boogie the night away!
Disco Party Supplies and Disco Decorations :
Get everything you need for your Disco Theme Party with this Party Kit!
- Smiley faces hung up on the door, windows or walls
- Flowers like Daisies etc.
- Have some 8-track tapes out for people to look at and talk about
- Beaded curtain at the front door
- Hang a Disco Ball. You can make a homemade disco ball made from a beach ball covered with reflective stickers
- Happy face yellow balloons
- Black lights
- Lava lamps
- 70s fragrance scented candles or incense
- Use the Peace sign wherever you can
- Mirror balls
- Laser lights
- Create a painted board for guests for photos with cut out face holes
- Hang LP records or 1970’s cd’s from the ceiling with fishing line or ribbon
- Fibre optic lamp
- Have a pet rock
- Use some Strobe lights
- Try to have a lighted dance floor. Very cool if you can!
- Bean bag chairs
- Have a good sound system! Rent one if necessary with good bass.
- Polyester or weathered bell bottoms
- Polyester leisure suits
- Velvet
- Big gold chains
- Polyester wrap dresses
- Tie-dyed shirts
- Bandanas
- Metallic leis
- Disco Vests
- Florescent coloured clothing(great for black light party)
- Big Collared shirt
- Fake moustache or Super Afro
- Platform shoes
- Roller skates
- Corduroy
- Big belt buckle and belt
- Oversized silver hoop earrings
- Disco Go-Go Boots
- Blue eye shadow and shimmery light pink or red gloss lipstick
- Mini dress or skirt
- Tank top
- Leotards
- Sweatbands
- Knee-high socks
- Tight-fitting button down shirt in a loud color with super-peaked lapel
- Sunglasses
- Felt Hippie Hat
- Psychedelic fedora hats
- Disco ball earrings
- Love beads jewellery
- Fringe vest
- Use a crimping iron
Disco Party Music:
No Disco Party would be complete without the music. Here is a list of favourite disco music from the 1970’s Disco Fever era:
- You're the One That I Want (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John Or anything from the Grease Soundtrack)
- American Pie - Don McLean
- Respect - Aretha Franklin
- Imagine - John Lennon
- Dust In The Wind - Kansas
- Dream On - Aerosmith
- Hotel California - The Eagles
- Piano Man - Bill Joel
- I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
- Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
- American Woman - The Guess Who
- Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
- Benny and the Jets - Elton John
- Crocodile Rock - Elton John
- Tiny Dancer - Elton John
- Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger
- YMCA - Village People
- Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
- Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
- Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
- Night Fever - Bee Gees
- Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
- Runnin' With the Devil - Van Halen
- My Sharona - The Knack
- Killing Me Softly - Roberta Flack
- Dancing Queen - Abba
- ABC - Jackson Five
- Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
- Tonight's the Night - Rod Stewart
- Play Charades with 1970s TV characters like:
- The Brady Bunch
- Partridge Family
- Gilligan's Island
- I Dream a Jeanie
- Make it a movie night and watch 70s movies all night like:
- Saturday Night Fever
- Star Wars
- Jaws
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
- Original Charlie's Angels
- Have and use a Ouija Board for the brave at heart
- Have a Dress up or costume contest
- Lip sync/Karaoke Contest
- Yo-Yo contest
- Twister
- Happy face key chain
- Glitter glue
- Tiny fake gems or craft beads for homemade jewellery
- Peace and happy face stickers
- Glow Jewellery
- Mood rings
Serve whatever you would normally serve at your parties but if you want include the following:
- Cheese fondue as an appetizer and chocolate fondue for dessert
- Smiley face cake
- For Alcoholic drinks serve:
- Tequila Sunrise
- - Tom Collins
- Southern Comfort and 7-Up
- Low gin fizz
- Non-alcoholic Drinks
- Tang
- 7-up
- Dr. Pepper
- Coke or Pepsi
- Punch
- Snapple
