With their 2024 show, “Between Two Worlds,” the John Adams Marching Band have made it to state for the third time in the team’s history! Under the direction of Kevin Graham, Emily Pantellaria, Ali Carmignani and Charley “Señor” Lawrence , the band has performed exceedingly well throughout their three-month competition season. The weekend of October 19 and 20, 2024, the band will be performing at the ISSMA state competition. The following weekend, October 25, 26 and 27, they’ll be down in St. Louis, Missouri, participating in the national “Bands of America” competition. Showcasing trombone soloists, percussion features and a larger-than-life deck of cards, this year of marching has proven to be the most successful one yet.
“Between Two Worlds” is a concept show, marked by a musical interpretation and portrayal of an idea or theme (as opposed to conveying one specific storyline). The show begins with percussion peeking through a curtain into the “other” world, followed by the rest of the band filing through the open gate and triumphantly playing the opening sequence. As segment one progresses, an array of musical arrangements are woven into the composition; most notably Gene Wilder’s “Pure Imagination” and “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane. “Alice’s Theme” by Danny Elfman also plays an important and intricate role in the show, heard both by the band and trombone trio Grace Mellor, Brayden Wallace and Maxwell Beem. Following an exciting ending to the first segment, segment two contrasts the grandeur of the previous, encompassing a calming lull of wonder and curiosity. “Pure Imagination” is heard again in this segment, first by mellophone soloist Connie Colquitt and then by the whole band– not without a shimmering costume reveal– as the short composition comes to a close. Immediately, the percussion break begins, and drums come together in an aggressive and vicious performance. All members rapidly march across the field to reveal a second side to the card props; a swift woodwind feature follows, and succeeding that, the brass perform a raunchy, synchronized melody. The band rejoins after all three features to give one last hit, an homage to the sheer magnificence of this “second world.”
It is no surprise why the John Adams Marching Eagles are performing exceptionally across the state; “Between Two Worlds” displays the mastery of both technique and musicality. They exemplify how dedication and a strong sense of community will pay off tenfold, shaping the history of the marching program at John Adams High School. This show marks only the start of what will surely be a prosperous future for the Marching Eagles!
