Encounters
Contact Us about show availability, and regional protection
Encounters is an intense and captivating show that explores the 4 main kinds of encounters with UFOs. Separated into 4 movements (labeled as "kinds" instead of movements), the show offers a stunning visual and musical journey through the characteristics of each kind.
The show starts with an unsettling preshow soundscape of actual 911 calls that sets the mood for the first segment of the show:
The First Kind is defined as visual sightings of an unidentified flying object, seemingly less than 500 feet away, that show an appreciable angular extension and considerable detail. In this semgent the audience hears flying saucer sounds that often pan left to right (or right to left) in the soundscape, as well as similar sterophonic sounds in the winds and percussion orchestration. Throughout the segment, the marching band frequently makes gestures pointing to the sky, as if to see some unidentified object hovering or moving through the nightscape. A Therimin sound played by an EWI (electronic wind instrument) soloist drives this segment to create the characteristic sci-fi soundscape from generations past.
The Second Kind is defined as a UFO event in which physical evidence is left behind. Crop circles define a large amount of these types of encounters. Focusing on the beauty and artistry of these crop circles allows for a lighter, more ballad type segment. The segment features a hang drum soloist, which is a percussion instrument that's shaped like a UFO, to create a mellow sort of feel that reflects the beauty of the crop circles. Visually, the drill reflects these types of formations and also allows opportunity for the marching members to lay on the field and create other visual moments with body moves.
#/media/File:Panart-freies-integrales-hang.jpg){kind=link}
The Third Kind focuses on encounters in which an animated entity is present: These include humanoid robots, and humans who seem to be occupants or pilots of a UFO. Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" encapsulated this idea. Since this encounter ramps up the intensity of the show, it felt right to make this a percussion feature. The soundscape throughout this percussion feature reflects a person under hypnosis who mistakes one of these creatures as an owl. The patient realizes toward the end of the segment that the figure was, in fact, not an owl at all!
The Fourth Kind is the most terrifying of them all. This encounter deals with being physically abducted by a UFO or an alien spacecraft. Musically, this segment builds intensity and pushes to a stunning climax, in which the entire band is abducted by a UFO! This is accomplished through flying a large piece of fabric over the band during the last sound effect in the show. The band runs underneath the fabric while it's flying to create the illusion that they are disappearing under the fabric until all that's left is an empty field while the final soundscape brings the show to an unsettling close.
Encounters is a fantastic show for bands looking to separate themselves from the competition with a one-of-a-kind show that explores many different styles and moods. The show also offers great accessibility musically and visually and can easily be modified to fit any band's needs.
SHOW SEGMENTS:
Preshow (1:05)
The First Kind (2:03)
The Second Kind (2:10)
The Third Kind (0:48)
The Fourth Kind (1:22)
Total Performance Time: 6:23
| Winds Instrumentation | Percussion Instrumentations |
| Piccolo | Glockenspiel/Xylophone (1 Player) |
| Flute | Vibraphone 1, 2 |
| Clarinet 1, 2 | Marimba 1, 2 |
| Alto Saxophone | Synthesizer |
| Tenor Saxophone | Sampler |
| Baritone Saxophone | Timpani |
| Trumpet 1, 2 | Drumset |
| Mellophone 1, 2 | Auxiliary Percussion 1, 2 |
| Trombone | Snare Drums |
| Baritone/Euphonium | Tenor Drums (6 drum configuration)* |
| Tuba | Bass Drums (5 drum configuration)** |
* 5 drum configuration (one shot drum) also available upon request
** 4 and 3 drum parts also available upon request
Add comment