Band Prepares To Stage "Alice"

Both drum major Jayka Weder and assistant drum major Cassie Mockler reacted positively when they learned that this year's Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) fall band show would be called "Alice" and based on "Alice in Wonderland." Mockler was excited to do a show that tells a story. Weder added, "I am very hopeful for the potential for the show."

Band director Brandon Nase said that the original composition is meant to emulate the various aspects of "Alice in Wonderland," beginning when Alice falls down the rabbit hole. The show is constructed in several parts with a 30-second introduction called the Prologue, which moves into Chapter 1, where Alice begins to explore Wonderland. The ballad is called Chapter 2, and it focuses on a metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Chapter 3 represents a battle between Alice and the Queen of Hearts, and the Epilogue focuses on Alice searching for an opportunity to escape Wonderland.

Three props will aid band members in telling the story. One will resemble a book and will indicate to audience members which chapter is being represented. Another will be a door that will move to expand the area of Wonderland on the field, and a third will have a side that represents the scenery of Wonderland, with the opposite side resembling a top hat.

Color guard and band members will also represent different themes with uniforms and equipment. A flag with the face of the Cheshire Cat will be used, and butterfly swing flags will enhance the message of the ballad. The color guards will use rifles while the band members in uniform represent the queen's army in Chapter 3. "In the Epilogue, there will be a flag that is red with a crown wrapped in a heart for the queen's army," said Nase. "That flag will be torn off and under will be a blue flag to give the homage back to Alice." In addition, one color guard's uniform will represent Alice.

An alto saxophone solo will be featured in the beginning of the show, followed by a trumpet solo, with another trumpet solo in the ballad.

The 52 members of the band, including 12 color guards, met from Aug. 1 through 5 and 8 through 12 to work on mastering first the music and then the drill, which they will perform at football games as well as at a show at Hempfield High School on Saturday, Sept. 10; at their own show on Saturday, Sept. 17; and at a Cavalcade of Bands competition in Hershey on Saturday, Nov. 12.

To help band members get to know each other and raise morale, band camp Olympics were held daily. Nase divided the band into teams that incorporate members from different sections. "The first day is drumhead discus, and we see who can throw it the farthest," said Mockler, who noted that other activities included dress-like-a-staff-member day. "It's a way to help band members get to know each other more and have a lot of fun and give us a break during the day as well to relax and enjoy ourselves," she explained.

Mockler noted that she was proud of what marchers had accomplished during camp, stating that the music is not easy to learn. Weder is looking forward to seeing the show on the field. "I think it will be a fun and successful show," Weder said.