The ensemble has had to learn two separate shows; one show is designed to be performed on small stages--this is an "in-concert" formation and it is NOT "Brass Theater." "In concert" formation is performed on small stages where marching and color guard work are not practical or are minimized. On the other hand, a "Brass Theater" performances includes all of the elements mentioned previously utilizing both G-bugles and B-flat horns including trombones, tubas, and french horns.

The venues have differed greatly during the last two years. Concerts have been performed at Tanglewood, Ravinia, Wolf Trap, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Interlochen, Columbus Zoo Amphitheater, Joliette Quebec Amphitheater, Tanglewood and several other outdoor concert sites generically called "sheds."

"Brass Theater" is normally performed on a basketball floor converted to a stage. These venues permit the use of stage lighting and large backdrops. Examples of the "Brass Theater" venues are Indiana University Assembly Hall, St. Paul MN Arena, Cedar Rapids Iowa Conference Center, Buffalo New York Memorial Arena, Illinois Normal Arena, and other facilities where seating is tiered and the total capacity normally exceeds 15,000. CB/Star's largest crowd to date has been 18,000.

These last two years for Star members have exposed them to entirely new audiences that are primarily made up of families and music patrons who have little exposure to drum corps and who attend musical events regularly. The crowds have been enthusiastic and have responded typically with three and four standing ovations. We were favorably adjudicated by several newspaper performing arts critics and I will be happy to send anyone an e-mail of these critiques. Because either concert is performed only once in a city, critics did not always attend.

I saw every performance during 1994 and 1995 and I can only say that they have been thrilling to watch. In 1994, I gave Star/CB a final score of 99.5 and in 1995, a score of 99.8. (Nobody is perfect so I couldn't give a perfect score but if we all keep trying, we might get it right someday.)

In summary, these were not stressful years for the corps because there were no competitive pressures. The pressure came from wanting to perform perfectly for an audience that would impartially adjudicate them.

THE SUMMER OF 1996
In the fall of 1995, Star's staff met to assess Brass Theater's impact on the audiences and also the problems encountered while working in three different types of venues--sheds (outdoor theaters), orchestra halls, and arenas. The largest attendance was in sheds and orchestra halls. All shed and orchestra hall performances were sell-outs. On the other hand, performances in arenas (gymnasiums) were, in general, not well attended. The staff realized that the size of the corps was still too large to perform a complete Brass Theater on smaller stages, like those at sheds and orchestra halls, and therefore, it was decided to design two different shows for both small and big stages.

There were several factors that contributed to the large attendance such as: 1) the summer concerts being a part of a series such as Lincoln Center's "Mozart Festival." 2) the events being publicized by professional promoters utilizing mailings and local media advertising. 3) the audiences being families and music lovers who attend regardless of composer or genre. 4) the audiences being familiar with the Canadian Brass and Star names.

Based upon these observations, it was obvious that Star needed to downsize the corps to fit music venues; in 1994, Star marched 100 members, in 1995, 96 members and in 1996, 76 members. The downsizing took place through attrition created by aging-out. In 1997, the corps will reach an optimum size of 60 or less. It was also obvious in 1995 that more practice time was needed. The members had to adjust to many more practice hours than ever before in the history of the corps. Learning two hours of music and movement for two different types of stages was tough; it required not only talent but also an ability to overcome the tedium of repetition.

Because of the practice time required, the number of performances was reduced from 18 to 13 in 1996. Even though we knew that arena venues were going to have smaller crowds, we decided to work in them at least for another year or two. Practice time and space were needed to refine Brass Theater.

Unquestionably, the assessment of the 1995 Brass Theater was on-the money because in 1996, we finally saw what Brass Theater should be. All of the elements of this genre were demonstrated in "West Side Story"--a twenty-three minute brass and percussion presentation of the Broadway musical. The corps told the story utilizing brass, percussion, drill, dance, color guard, visuals, electronic sound, and expensive stage lighting. Some viewers told us that it was their greatest emotional experience with music.

The highlights for the corps this summer were performances at Great Woods, Massachusetts (16,500 attendance), Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis (3200 attendance), Interlochen Michigan (2800 attendance) and the two Bloomington shows (10,000 total attendance.) Even though the two Bloomington performances were before a home town crowd, the local newspaper critique was wonderful and worth publishing below in its entirety.

Other highlights for the year include an upcoming FANFARE magazine feature article on Brass Theater and having one FANFARE writer recognize the Brass Theater I CD as one of the 6 top CDs produced in 1995. In addition, Star will appear on PBS in an hour long show that is scheduled to be seen in December. PBS donated funds to this project and it will carry the PBS logo, a feat that I was never able to accomplish during my tenure as Executive Producer of the DCI Summer Music Games. Star's Brass Theater CDs are now being distributed in several midwestern record stores.

The Star Beginning Band (7-13) completed its second year with 60 members performing a spring concert and marching in the Bloomington Fourth of July Parade. The members are taught for fee and some receive scholarships.

Star of Indiana is now providing scholarships to members who attend Indiana University. As the corps reduces in size, there are funds available for members who commit to an annual association with Star and who are selected by audition. These scholarships are not limited to music or dance majors. By 1999, there will be fifty scholarship students.

In summary, 1996 was a benchmark for Star and the Canadian Brass relationship because we learned what Brass Theater should be. We had wonderful reception everywhere we performed and the membership realized that this production was something very special. In addition, our staff now knows what is needed to make Brass Theater more appealing. As is said--wait till next year!