DVD Spotlight of the Week: 2009 Blue Stars

Lots of percussive industrial sounds were heard as the corps poured out into the open part of the field. With the music much more driven, 12 sets across the back of the field took on the colors of various shades of fabric, while the guard up front waved six large sheets of similar colored fabric and pretended to cut it up for their projects. Part of the horn line stood on the desk chairs for a feature and then the entire horn line poured into the factory section of the field as the guard went on break to the open part of the field. This was the last time the characters would have a chance to cut loose prior to the coming announcement that would change the lives of all. At the start of “The Factory,” by corps arrangers Frank Sullivan, Brent Montgomery, Seth Adams and Tom Aungst, a radio announcer informed America that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. “Old One-Hundredth,” the famous mid-16th Century melody from the Genevan Psalter that is more commonly known as “The Doxology,” was performed by the lower horns as they moved into a single large arc from the left side of the field, while the upper horns executed a series of blistering gunshot-like volleys. The men of the guard, dressed in military blues, hugged the women they were about to leave behind. Played to the backfield, a solemn chorale based on “Taps” was overlaid with a mallet snippet of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” played by the front ensemble percussion. A lovely elegiac melody captured the solemnity of knowing so many military personnel were dying in battle overseas. The sudden formation of a star led into a dynamic and more heroic statement of the melody, ending with the return of one of the soldiers into the arms of the woman from whom he had been separated. A recording of President Harry Truman announced the end of the war, declaring, “This is a time for great rejoicing.” The colors on the backfield sets turned much more vibrant as the corps introduced Leonard Bernstein’s “Fancy Free,” from the lighthearted ballet premiered in 1944 that told the story of sailors on leave in New York. From there to the end, it was one big party with rejoicing and unrestrained relief that the war was over. The soldiers and sailors came home and got busy catching up on everything they missed out on overseas. The remaining fabric from the workstations was thrown up high in the air as if confetti falling down on the “welcome home” parades staged across the country post-war. America was once again whole, stronger than ever, and about to enter its most glorious golden age. For this week only, you can save on the World Championship DVD set that contains this complete Blue Stars performance, along with all finalists from the 2009 DCI World Championships. Buy the 2009 World Championship DVD set. (Available this week only for $36. Regular price: $45.) Discount DVD offer ends Monday, Dec. 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET.