Name: The Box (Open Class) by Visaudio Designs
Duration: 6 min 18 s
Description: This is a show that is about how children in war-stricken countries are affected by the events that surround them, and unfortunately become enveloped in the horror and atrocities of war. The story is conveyed via prose, that references war being contained in a box. "Bound up with chains and locked with locks, and labeled 'kindly do not touch... it's war.'"

"I can't change, even if I tried, even if I wanted to." This show highlights the unfortunate fact that bullying continues to be a problem, and only continues to get worse as it has become even more difficult for victims to escape the menacing of bullies. Using the song "Same Love" by Macklemore as the musical material, this show presents a sobering, but in the end uplifting vignette of this ongoing societal issue.

Copyright permissions for "Same Love" by Macklemore will have to be secured before show can be licensed.

Originally commissioned by Clear Brook High School in 2014

I Can't Change (Open Class)

Tokyo Disneyland Resort - Splash Mountain (Float-Through)

The audience will feel whisked away to an arctic landscape with this show's blustery breezes, snowy scenes, swirling blizzard, and overall majestic aesthetic. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and a Snuggie®/Slanket®, because this show is sure to chill you to the bone!

Originally commissioned by Clear Brook High School who was the 2015 WGI PSO Silver Medalist.

Below Zero (Open Class)

Pulse Percussion WGI 2016

This is a show that is about how children in war-stricken countries are affected by the events that surround them, and unfortunately become enveloped in the horror and atrocities of war. The story is conveyed via prose, that references war being contained in a box. "Bound up with chains and locked with locks, and labeled 'kindly do not touch... it's war.'"

The Box (Open Class)

"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity." In this show, we explore the development of spoken word, how they relate to music, and a few other unexpected, entertaining way in which we use words to communicate. The auctioneer moment alone is worth the price of admission!

Visaudio Designs Indoor Percussion

Word (World Class)

Exhausted from putting the finishing touches on his famous piano piece, "Fϋr Elise", the romantic composer, Ludwig Von Beethoven, dozes off into a nightmarish slumber.  Fully aware of his inevitable hearing loss, Beethoven manifests an evil version of himself (played by the center snare), which torments him throughout his dream.  The evil manifestation plays games with the comatose Beethoven; at one point even mocking his hearing loss by having the battery section fake playing while a sampler plays low frequency drum notes.  Famous quotes from Beethoven's 5th and 9th symphonies, as well as his famous "Moonlight Sonata" are twisted and distorted through the use of modern styles such as rock, dubstep, hip-hop, and many others. The evil chaos culminates as all of these different styles and quotes converge.  As the turmoil reaches its peak, it is abruptly halted, Beethoven wakes up from his nightmare, and he finishes his work.

Beethovens Nightmare

Cyclone is an ambitious piece by Jim Casella, was written to feature a quartet of marimba players who play on two marimbas that face each other. The parts are all playable with two mallets, and players are frequently called on to reach across to the marimba opposite them. Also, marimbists embark on a literal "cyclone" around the instruments, swapping physical positions with one another and running around the instruments towards the inevitable swirling climax.

Inspired by true accounts of a friend's recent expedition of Mt. Everest, this quartet is accompanied by seven multipercussionists and piano. It depicts both determination and danger, with an implied circular motion by way of quick, repetitive, six-note figures. Complete with echo effects of grandeur and spaciousness, Cyclone is an energetic, cinematic work that becomes relentless and violent. The faint of heart need not apply!

Sheet music available at http://www.tapspace.com


Cyclone (Jim Casella)

The Autumn

We all have things that consume our attention: phones, TV, the internet. Using the most basic object of a cube, this is emotional journey a person goes on when they become consumed by their infatuation for something. And just when you finally overcome your obsession... you find another.

Originally commissioned by UTSA Indoor, a 2019 WGI PIO Finalist

My New Obsession (World Class)

Music from The Planets, by Gustav Holst
Arranged by Brian Blume
Intermediate A Class Indoor Percussion Show
Originally written for and performed by Northview H.S. (2013 IPA Class A State Champion)

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, when asked, “What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the universe?” gave a most astounding answer. Recognizing that we are made of the same elements that swirled around from the beginning of the universe, Tyson feels a deep connection to all that is out there. Using the text from Tyson’s interview with TIME Magazine, and well-known music from the Planets, this show explores what Tyson and others consider to be The Most Astounding Fact.

(Artwork by Tim Keller)

The Most Astounding Fact

Visaudio Designs is a company that specializes in music design for the marching arts.

The Box (Open Class)

Visaudio Designs

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