As the corps has been hard at work defending a hopeful Champion finish this Season (the corps' first, the organization's possible 3rd), so too has Mr. Olmstead. Writing, concept design, and an editing phase have all gone through to produce a basic idea for the Druids' Season 11 program. The repertoire follows this article. For more information on the corps, visit http://thedruidsdrumcorps.webs.com

The Druids are proud to present the concept for their Season 11 show:

“Birth of the Cool”

Both Miles Davis, and later Leonard Bernstein, had their deep impact on the world of jazz, bringing about a new era called “cool jazz”-- a laid back and modest style that has been called the “pastel colors” of the music world, as opposed to the “flashing red” of other jazz musicians of the time. This show, with soft colored flags and the corps’ black uniforms (including fedoras and sunglasses for the guard), attempts to bring “cool” to life.

Mvt. 1 - Move by Miles Davis, Prologue to West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WjU4eXYWg4&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WjU4eXYWg4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8R9GiLImSw

The show opens slow with the Prologue to West Side Story, soft flares, snaps, and drum licks that slowly build us up to the speed of Move, a classic Miles Davis chart. Long chords and running bass lines, muted trumpet solos that seem to flow in and out of the ensemble, and somewhere in the middle between drum breaks we even see a small jazz ensemble formed center field. The tune ends as a flurry of notes in all sections bring us to an astoundingly low, “cool” last “bop”.

Mvt. 2 - Israel by Miles Davis, Cool by Leonard Bernstein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqQVvA9LsI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkdP02HKQGc

Starting back field with a soft mello solo, our trip through “cool” continues. We first hear Israel by Miles, considerably slower and more controlled than the opener. Soon we feel the energy of the hornline may no longer be containable, as “Cool” from West Side Story reminds us to keep the energy under a guise of “slick”. We end with the “pops” and “bangs”, and the entire corps perches into the pit, look right into the audience to mutter “Stay cool, boy.”

Mvt. 3 - Lament by J J Johnson

The tempo slows down further, cooling us off with a baritone solo from the ballad Lament, by J J Johnson. As the chords build the rest of the ensemble fills in, leaving us wondering as a lone baritoneist finishes this movement back field.

Mvt. 4 - Seeing Sounds by Donny Gruendler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l5J8XGyGro

The percussion spares no moment to take up the spot light, both battery and pit. Suddenly we see the brass setting down their horns to join the guard on flags, and the pit brandishes a mini jazz ensemble of an electric stand up bass, piano, and electric clarinet. The drumline steals the show in the end, the cymbals posing as hi-hats for the snares, and the entire percussion ensemble brushes off their drums after a “cool” jam session.

Mvt. 5 - Move Reprise/Rogue Medley by Mils Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WjU4eXYWg4&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WjU4eXYWg4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AXz29VaMKY&feature=related

As the feature finishes off, the brass regain their horns and finish with a reprise of the original melody to Move, mixed with another famous chart, Rogue. In the end, we’re left off with a low “bop” and reminded to “Stay Cool”.

But of course, this is never the end with the Druids. Stay tuned to Season 11 Finals to get the full ending!

Can't wait to see what else you have in store for us. Druids are certainly a fan favorite to win this season judging by the responses you get in your press releases. Certainly my favorite to win in your division. (Sorry to any class Division II peeps. >.> )

Glad that you dig my work. In the event that I do take Div. II this Season, it'll be a great moment for us-- we were traditionally Div. II always in FMB.

Always competing with The Aviators and Yellowjacket Regiment.

Another great program from you guys. Agree with bando, you seem to be the obvious favorite this year. I hope you guys do take Division II this year, you would really have earned it!