Show Title
MASKS
Repertoire
Proposed Repertoire and Movements (Approx. 9:30 Total)
Movement Emotion/Theme Repertoire Selection Composer/Artist Approx. Duration Visual Concept/Masks (Color)
I. The Unveiling / Excitement "Festive Overture, Op. 96" (Excerpt) + Original Music Dmitri Shostakovich 2:15 The Neutral Mask (White/Silver). Rapid, high-energy drill. Opening fanfare transitions to fast, virtuosic music. Members "unveil" a base, neutral mask.
II. Joy "Ode to Joy" (from Symphony No. 9) + Original Theme Ludwig van Beethoven 2:20 The Joy Mask (Bright Yellow/Gold). Wide forms, soaring melodies, and tutti (full band) textures. Color Guard uses bright, flowing yellow flags.
III. Sorrow / Reflection "The Sound of Silence" (Slow Solo/Ballad) Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel) 2:30 The Sorrow Mask (Dark Blue/Gray). Solo feature (Trumpet or Flute) over a somber, reflective accompaniment. Tempo slows dramatically. Body movements are slow and deliberate.
IV. Rage & Resolution "Mars, The Bringer of War" (Thematic Material) + Percussion Feature + Closer Gustav Holst 2:25 The Rage Mask (Deep Red/Black). Aggressive percussion feature with heavy use of the lower brass and woodwinds. Drill is chaotic and angular, building to a massive final impact.

Export to Sheets
Movement Breakdown & Conceptual Ideas
I. The Unveiling / Excitement (Approx. 2:15)
Music: Begin with a powerful and energetic opening, such as the famous fanfares from Shostakovich's "Festive Overture". Use a short, intense build-up of original material before the main theme hits.

Visuals:

Masks: Start the show with the entire band facing upstage or obscured, representing a hidden identity. The big opening hit of the music should cue a sharp turn downfield and the unveiling of a Neutral/Blank Mask (White or Silver), signifying the potential of all emotions.

Color: Use bright lights and powerful, sharp drill movements to convey raw energy and anticipation.

II. Joy (Approx. 2:20)
Music: Transition directly into the buoyant and recognizable theme of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." An original contrapuntal melody could be woven around the theme to keep the arrangement fresh and dynamic.

Visuals:

Masks: The band, while still wearing the neutral mask, should have the staging and body language exude pure happiness and light. Color Guard should feature long, flowing yellow or gold flags and fabrics.

Color: The lighting design should shift to brilliant yellows and bright whites. Drill forms should be open, symmetrical, and circular to convey completeness and warmth.

III. Sorrow / Reflection (Approx. 2:30)
Music: A stark, emotional contrast is needed. "The Sound of Silence" works as a beautiful, mournful ballad. Feature a solo wind instrument (like a trumpet, flugelhorn, or flute) or a front ensemble soloist to deliver the melody over a sparse, reflective accompaniment.

Visuals:

Masks: A small group of performers could change their masks to a Sorrow Mask (Dark Blue/Gray) at the start of the movement, or the entire band could hold black/dark-colored fabrics over their neutral masks.

Color: The field should be washed in somber blues and deep purples. The drill slows down drastically, using tight, clustered forms that dissolve and slowly reform.

IV. Rage & Resolution (Approx. 2:25)
Music: Build tension with rhythmic chaos, utilizing the powerful and dark themes from Holst's "Mars, The Bringer of War." This piece is a famous selection for aggression. Include an intense battery and front ensemble percussion feature to represent the chaotic outburst of rage.

Visuals:

Masks: The final emotional mask, the Rage Mask (Deep Red or Black), is revealed for the final push. This could be a dramatic, aggressive mask or a simple red cloth pulled over the neutral mask.

Color: The field lights should flash with aggressive reds and blacks. Drill formations should be sharp, angular, and fast-paced, suggesting conflict and an uncontrolled burst of power, culminating in a final, powerful chord of resolution (potentially returning to a major, unifying key).