Spotlight of the Week: 1993 Colts

by Michael Boo

In 1993, both the Colts and Glassmen made the Drum Corps International World Championship Finals for the first time.

But while the previous four years of Glassmen’s end-of-season placements (23rd, 18th, 17th and 13th) made that corps seem like it had a good shot at making the Finals in ’93, Colts experienced no such ascendancy during that time period, placing 21st, 23rd, 22nd and 20th, respectively.

Foreshadowing their success during 1993’s World Championships Week, Colts were the only corps in the Quarterfinals to earn a higher score in the Semifinals. They gained seven tenths of a point from the night before to pass up Velvet Knights, the corps they would ultimately beat out for the 12th spot in Finals.

The title of Colts’ 1993 production was “Iowa’s Four Seasons,” capturing the contrasting moods of the temperate climate of its home state.

As published in the 1993 DCI souvenir yearbook: “When it comes to weather, Iowa has it all, from blustery winters on the snow-covered plains to blistering summers in the Mississippi River Valley. With pride in its home state, Colts are transplanting ‘Iowa’s Four Seasons’ 800 miles south to Jackson, Mississippi.”

Entering the field to the strains of “Carol of the Bells,” corps arranger Chuck Naffier’s “Winter” quoted from a number of well-known Christmas carols, including “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Red, white and green mistletoe leaf flags helped set the visual stage, along with drill formations of a Christmas tree, a dove of peace and a holiday ornament.

Strains of the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts,” introduced John Tesh’s 1988 new age ballad, “A Thousand Summers.” Despite its title, the piece served as a salute to the rebirth of spring. Color guard members opened up and spun hand-painted fabric flower props to underscore the theme.

Gershwin’s “Summertime” (from “Porgy and Bess”) picked up on a stormy motif with the brass section in the form of a lightning bolt. But then the color guard threw off their jackets and the heat on the field climbed to the top of the thermometer with a sultry interpretation of the famous melody. Previously performed by the corps in its 1980, 1981 and 1982 productions, and underscored by screaming soprano bugle soloists, “Summertime” was said to be the corps’ present to itself in celebration of the Colts’ 30th anniversary.

Kicked off with a low brass duet, David Grusin’s “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” introduced autumn with the colors of falling leaves in the flags accenting the melancholy melody.

After a huge company front, a short reprise of the opening Naffier piece brought the corps into the final part of the show and its first appearance as a finalist corps.