Malcolm Arnold, the composer of the theme to "Bridge on the River Kwai," passed away over the weekend.

Last week, I couldn't sleep and watched the movie on Turner Classic Movies.

Now that I have the tune running through my head the rest of the day, I was thinking about other music that could be used as a theme for a Drum Corps Show, in the traditional manner.

What's great about these themes is the announcer does not have explain the show.

Here are a couple show ideas:

WWII MOVIE THEME TRIBUTE
"Bridge on the River Kwai"
"Theme from Patton"
"The Great Escape"
"Von Ryan's Express"


SINTRA TRIBUTE
"My Kind of Town"
"New York, New York"
"Come Fly with Me"
"I Get a Kick Out of You"
"Ol' Mac Donald" - The most swingingest version of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"


JAZZ GREAT TRIBUTE
"The Lady is a Tramp" Ella Fitzgerald
"Take the A Train" - Duke Ellington
"Girl from Ipenema" - Stan Getz
"Take Five" - Dave Brubeck


1970's SHOW
This show highlights music from the 1970's with great horn charts.
"Spinning Wheel" - Blood Sweat and Tears
"Make Me Smile" - Chicago
"Shinning Star" - Earth Wind & Fire
"I Wish" - Stevie Wonder


It's been a long time since these type of simple themed shows were done, and I think the audiences would immediately relate to it, especially if it is executed to perfection.

What did you do in the Corps? Cymbals, Bass Drum, Tenor

What years were you a Corps member? 1980-1983

Jim,

I am not sure WHY corps feel the need to have a "THEME" for their shows these days. In my days, we didn't have a "theme", we just played music that people knew. Not that having a "theme" is bad.

BUT .. the examples that you gave would all be excellent!

What did you do in the Corps? tenor & snare 1958-63; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instructor 1964-70i

What years were you a Corps member? 1958- 1963

Dave,

Interesting point. One of my last years as a high school band director, I was going to do a show whose theme was going to be "It's just a marching band show."

Cooler heads prevailed, however...

And sorry to hear about Malcolm Arnold. He is one of my favorite composers, and I used his music for both my concert AND marching bands. Cavaliers used his "Peterloo" in their first DCI-winning show in 1992.

What did you do in the Corps? Snare, Drum Major, Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73, 78-79

Wow. A few years ago, Jim Eiden proposed some ideas for drum corps program "themes". Cool ideas.

Now, we see drum corps all doing themed shows. Complete with special uniforms, props and auxiliary support. Nobody just does "music for marching bands" .. not even marching bands do it!

Jim's ideas were good because most people can relate to that music and approach. In 2011 it seems that the Cadets and Blue Devils also provided music that people can understand. Maybe Madison too ..others?

Actually, since the contest rules are different now ... no color presentation requirement, no "concert" (standstill), no "starting line and finish line ... you'd expect the shows to be different than when we marched. (Don't even get me started on the pit percussion stuff.)

So .. after all this .... what ABOUT "themes"? Is this the best way to proceed?

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66, ass't drum instructor 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958 -1963

I did theme shows when I was a band director in the 90s, and everyone enjoyed that. It gave the presentation more dramatic opportunities, and as a school teacher, it was also more educational (whether it was based on a classic story, like the year we did "Lord of the Rings", or all music from the same composer). I think it helps the audience connect with the performance as well.

Where the theme shows lose me, however, is when the theme is so "out there" that it doesn't make sense, and it's simply to put some kind of link on unconnected music. It's really not the themes that bother me - it's the music itself. I don't mind so much if I don't recognize it - I would just love there to be some type of melody!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

Bob, I think you explained it perfectly. The music doesn't have to be "recognizable", but it does have to be "recognizable as music".

I also believe that a good musical presentation doesn't need props, way out costumes or other antics. Give the audience some credit for having a brain to "connect the dots".
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66, ass't drum instructor 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958 -1963