Download of the Week: 2005 Carolina Crown

Carolina Crown’s seventh place “Angelus” show in 2005 explored the notion of angels existing among us, helping us not just get through life, but offering us a path to spiritual fulfillment that comes from learning to discover and trust the good in people and spirits alike. Trust was the overarching theme of the show; trust in the existence of angels, in their powers, in the faith they lead us to and in the belief that there’s a better world somewhere and a better world for us here on earth. “Part I: The Messenger” commenced with Bob Kaufkin’s “The Reason,” addressing the spiritual presence of angels. The piece built up to a fanfare that had the arms of an abstracted angel reaching up to Heaven and ready to embrace us. Both that work and Kauflin’s “A Mighty Fortress” were originally written for the Christian a cappella ensemble, GLAD. From the start of the show, one could see the numerals “444” positioned vertically on the right leg of the pants of the color guard costume and also horizontally over the left pocket of the jackets. Those who believe in spiritual numerology say 444 represents healing, blessings and messages from angels. “A Mighty Fortress,” (not to be confused with the original melody of the same name by Martin Luther), soared with enthusiastic jubilation, quoting from the famous Luther tune at the end, amidst the proclamation of metallic sounds representing ringing church bells. In “Part II: The Appearance,” singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” revealed angel wings on the back of the guard’s shirts, exposed when the jackets were removed. Brass players leaned against each other during the ballad and assisted each other in attaining sculptural positions not possible without having total trust in each other. The horns and drums ended the tender piece in an 80-yard wide representation of a pair of angel’s wings, visually capturing the lyrics, “You’re in the arms of an angel. May you find some comfort there.”