The Band Hall is proud to be a part of the Pride of Cincinnati team once again. We asked the Pride staff to share some insight into their 2005 show. We especially thank Keith Potter for taking the time to send us the following sneak peak.

The 2005 Pride of Cincinnati will take advantage of the staging, choreography, set design, costuming, and color selection to develop subtle metaphors for a very simple message: Whether our individual passions are big, small, local, global, or completely personal; “Everybody Hurts Sometimes. You are not alone.”

The initial concept was inspired by an ordinary day combined with a common human emotional state. It seems that all of us, from time to time, experience periods of internal struggle and pain. At these times, it is very easy to feel incredibly alone. Although it is not always easy, if we look carefully at one another, we will find that we are not alone.

The idea for the floor helped to combine thematic content, set design, staging purpose and an overall aesthetic quality. It was decided that we could best illustrate the diversity of human passions by using “bumper stickers” to tell our story. In reality, bumper stickers tell our stories and shout our beliefs, while also serving as representations of something much more personal and internal.

The costumes, flags, and color scheme work in isolation as well as in combination to serve as another layer of symbolic design. The guard is wearing a dance/tailored version of coveralls. As the name of the garment implies, it is a covering for something that is hidden underneath. The palette consists of a sepia toned floor, blue denim coveralls, and shades of various red/purple/berry-colored flags.

Choreographically, the guard will develop conceptual metaphors by using stylistic variation to signify a multitude of opposing views. A unique, ongoing compositional motif will take the guard in and out of unison for one more layer of “a common thread amongst diversity.”

We hope audiences will understand, appreciate and enjoy our show on a number of levels. It is our desire to create a production rich in activity-based appeal, while going steps further to supply an experience where the concept of self and the comfort of sharing in the human condition, are combined for a degree of personal enlightenment.

This is an extremely exciting and busy time of the year here at The Band Hall. While helping numerous winter guards and percussion ensembles get equipped for an exciting winter season, we have also been hard at work on our new catalog. In addition to new accessories such as shoes, gloves and weapons, the catalog will be packed with innovative uniform and flag designs sure to delight. So be on the lookout. We think you are going to like it!