Program Coordination
Being a band director is a tough job. It’s one that comes with countless plates to spin and balls to juggle. Designing a marching band show is a substantial undertaking, and can take you away from the best and most important part of the job… teaching with your students! I’ll save you time and headaches, while keeping your design process on track and organized to ensure you have all your materials on your schedule, not someone else’s.
As your program coordinator, I’m here to assist you from the moment you begin planning for the next season through the final release of your last performance. I am happy to take on those responsibilities on your behalf, reporting back to you. Instead of spending hours selecting a concept, choosing music, designing props, reaching out to companies to design uniforms and flags, and talking with designers, let me take care of all of that for you! All that is left for you to do is to say yes or no. Delivered materials arrive in your inbox, without all of the hassle that goes into making it happen. Once you have the show on the field, I’m there for you as a resource, whether that means any necessary edits, another set of eyes and ears, or anything else you may need!
And yes, I am more than happy to serve as your program coordinator AND visual designer!
How Does It Work?
Conceptual Design
Starting from the ground up, show design begins with a concept sheet. We start with either a conceptual idea you’d like to explore or one of mine. From there, I build out a “concept sheet” that acts as a digital white board where we post ideas for the overall concept, links to different source music ideas, props and field setups, uniform ideas, and general outlines for the concept. Below is a sample concept sheet from a previous season.
Storyboards
Once a concept has been selected, I work with your chosen music arrangers to create arrangements that align with our vision for the outline of the show. Cut tapes are also created during this part of the process as well. Once the musical events have been outlined, the arrangements are created. While this process is happening, I also create different field layouts and set design options. As the musical arrangements arrive, I take them and outline the visual portion of the show. This segment of the planning process is essential to making sure that all designers are on the same page regarding the outline and pacing of the show. The visual designers love to receive notes like this, that help them identify upcoming featured performers, equipment changes, etc. The rough drill set imagery also helps to guide them and aligns the intended visual moment between the program coordinator and visual designer.
Below is a sample of the visual storyboard for the concept outlined in the concept sheet above. The musical storyboard looks very similar to this.
Uniforms and Flags
While the arrangements are being created, the design process for guard uniforms, flags, and (if desired) band tops begins. I create sketches and take these ideas to your chosen production companies (such as FJM, Stanbury, Creative Costuming, Field and Floor FX, Digital Performance Gear, etc.). From there, I work with their designers to finish the design process. Once we have a sketch from the company, I pass it along to you to approve. From there, all you have to do is provide measurements and pay the production company!
Visual Design
From here, the process moves to your visual designer and drill design begins once your instrumentation is solidified. Drill is written efficiently and accurately relative to the storyboards previously described. The entire process allows for drill design to be in your inbox before you want to teach it! Below are sample drill charts and animations of the show featured on this page.
Alma 22 Movements 1 and 2 “Pyware Real View”
The Final Product
After the design is completed, it’s in your hands! Now your expertise is front and center as you and your students put the show on the field. I’m here for you throughout the entire process in case you need any edits or another set of eyes and ears!
Enjoy the final performance of the show sampled above, Alma (AR) High School’s 2022 production “The Other Side of Ordinary”. Alma placed 2nd in the 5A Class at the 2022 Arkansas State Marching Contest!