Description
Music Files Below (left click to listen, right click to download)
1. Obstacles
2. Face Your Fears
3. Stay Calm
4. Take Control
Composer: Michael Pote, Michael McIntosh
Total Time: 7:25
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson
The musical book by Michael Pote (combined with an impeccable percussion book by Michael McIntosh) creates a story line around adversity and achievement. “Obstacles” is a perfect way to introduce your audience to your theme. Everyone has obstacles placed in front of them every day. How they face those obstacles will determine their fate. “Face Your Fears” slows the pace down a bit and invites you to explore your fears – this would be an excellent opportunity for you to have an open discussion with your students about their fears. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and “Stay Calm”. Pote’s lush and haunting ballad will invite everyone to take a step back and regroup. The final step to rising above it is to “Take Control.” The final push in “Rise Above It” will leave everyone feeling uplifted and inspired.
“Rise Above It” is an excellent vehicle for a band that would like to use their students’ as inspiration. This could be more than just a field show, but rather a life-lesson. Without being too preachy, you and your visual staff could present some of the challenges that face today’s teenagers. Michael Pote’s composition could also be enhanced with voice-overs throughout the show as well as backdrops and costumes to highlight the overall theme.
As with any Center X Productions show, visual concepts can be changed to fit the needs of your group. This show offers many unique musical moments and ideas that would work well with many themes or guard ideas.
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