E D White Marching 2026
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Marching Band Production
Design & Logistics Outline
Show Concept: Made for You and Me (Featuring This Land & Amber Waves)
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Reusing the seven frame props and six bases from the indoor season will help reduce both our budget and storage needs. We already know they can be stacked and transported efficiently on our marching trailers, making them a practical solution.
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There were concerns about the cost and construction of the original prop design, and this approach eliminates those issues while still providing the equipment change opportunities the guard needs throughout the show.
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1. Prop Information
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Main Panels (Wheat Field / Americana):
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Quantity & Dimensions: 7 panels, each measuring 10 feet high by 8 feet wide.
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Construction: Repurposing existing guard prop frames.
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Visual Design (Side A): The 7 panels combine to form one large, continuous wheat field image that visually conveys the themes of the This Land musical selection.
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Visual Design (Side B): At the end of the show, the panels will turn around to reveal a large image representing America, tying into the Amber Waves selection.
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Staging & Flexibility: The panels can function as one massive continuous backdrop or be separated into smaller configurations/groupings across the field. They are designed to accommodate equipment transitions and staging needs.
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Placement Discretion: The 7 panels can be placed and staged entirely at the Richard's discretion throughout the show.
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The House & Fence:
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Staging: The house prop will remain in a fixed, dedicated area on the field throughout the production.
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Audio Integration: The fence and the house porch will both be utilized as microphone stations for soloists.
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Props
The design is also very flexible. The 7 panels can be assembled to create one large continuous image or separated into smaller groupings throughout the show while still maintaining their visual impact and thematic connection. We are repurposing existing guard prop frames, and at the end of the show the panels can be turned around to reveal a large image representing America that ties into the Amber Waves selection.
When we talk, I can explain some additional possibilities for how these props could be used. They should still function well while accommodating equipment transitions and staging needs.
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This image shows what the props will look like when assembled together. Click on the image to enlarge it for a better view of the complete design.
Front
These images will be printed on coroplast panels. The side posts will be actual fence posts, with artificial greenery added around the bases to enhance the realism. The tops of the wheat stalks will also be constructed using artificial materials to provide additional texture and dimension.
The coroplast panels will be cut to include the upper portion of the fence and the center posts, creating a layered effect that combines printed imagery with three-dimensional elements. This approach will help the props appear more realistic while adding visual depth and detail to the overall presentation.
The fence pieces at the front of the prop can be moved and separated from the 8' x 10' props. We can reuse the six bases from indoor for these, which would also allow the fence sections to be turned around when needed.
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I'll discuss with Richard how the fence pieces can be moved, but if we use six sections, it would leave an opening for the main character to pass through when he goes out to the wheat field. The six tom players could also help move the fence pieces throughout the show as
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Using the 7 panels and 6 fence pieces will accommodate 13 props, allowing each of the 13 flag performers to have a designated prop for their flag changes..
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Back side -some difference when they spin around
Here are the guard equipment storage options. The back side of the 8' × 10' props already includes PVC pipes that can be used for flag storage. Keep in mind that this side of the props will display the show's ending graphic, so any equipment changes made near the end of the show should take that into consideration when accessing and storing equipment.
Amber Waves Image 1
Just Landscape Option
This image will be revealed during the climactic moment of Amber Waves as the props rotate to display the artwork. The reveal serves as a powerful visual statement that reinforces the themes developed throughout the production.
Also being considered for this image is the addition of large images on each panel that represent iconic, non-political aspects of America. Examples might include an Olympian, a classic Chevrolet truck, the Troopers, a baseball player, a family gathered around the table eating pie, and other recognizable symbols of American life and achievement. This image would serve as the background, allowing these individual images to stand out while still maintaining a unified visual design.
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This concept is still being developed, and I also plan to incorporate the strips from the flag into the final artwork. (see below)These elements would help connect the imagery across the production and reinforce the themes presented throughout Amber Waves.
Amber Waves Image 2
American Iconic images
Here is a sample of how the Side 2 image will work with the support frame. The flag graphic will cover the support bars, creating a clean look from the audience's view. In Image 2, I made the graphic transparent so you can see exactly what parts of the frame it will cover. This should give you a better idea of how the finished prop will look.
2. Front Ensemble (Pit) Placement Info
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Option A: Left-Side Placement (In front of the House)
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Intent: Opens up the traditional front sideline area.
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Benefits: Allows the hornline to pull closer to the front sideline for maximum acoustic projection and creates significantly more usable staging space for the color guard.
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Audio Note: Audio routing to the fence and porch solo mics is fully functional with this setup.
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Option B: Traditional Placement
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Intent: Keeps the front ensemble in its standard center-front location.
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Visual/Staging Dynamics: The second design image demonstrates how feature moments can utilize the open space on the left side of the pit to bring specific sections much closer to the front sideline, as well as utilizing the area directly in front of the house.
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Staging Benefit: This option effectively opens up the entire area in front of the house to be used as a dedicated performance and staging area.
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Audio Note: Audio routing to the fence and porch solo mics remains fully functional with this setup.
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Design Note (For Richard)
Richard, we are completely open to whatever setup you feel would work best for the flow and impact of the show. We can dive into this further and discuss the options in more detail when we talk on the phone.
Show Description: Made for You and Me
Picture a wide, open field… golden wheat moving in the wind. It’s quiet, peaceful, and full of possibility. This year, that field is our stage.
Made for You and Me is a deeply emotional, narrative-driven production about where we come from, what we build, and the bonds we pass down. Through a seamless blend of powerful visual artistry and evocative musical staging, the show follows the cyclical legacy of an American family—specifically a father and his 11-to-12-year-old son—bound to the land.
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Act I: The Heartbeat of the Land
We begin in a place that feels simple—home, land, and opportunity. The ensemble brings the field to life, becoming the wind, the wheat, and the heartbeat of something bigger than themselves. From this peaceful landscape, a single figure steps forward: a farmer, working alongside his young son. Driven by necessity and the grit to provide a lasting future, the father must leave the homestead for a long, grueling season of distant labor. His departure is a moment of strength and determination—the boy watches him go, understanding the purpose behind the sacrifice.
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Act II: The Return & The Connection
The emotional core of the production shifts upon the farmer's return. After months of hard work away, the father journeys back to the land. Waiting for him is his son, who has spent his father's absence growing, maturing, and learning to care for the homestead himself. Their reunion is a celebration of shared strength, pure joy, and family laughter. Through intimate staging and expressive choreography around the house and porch, this movement highlights the powerful bond between father and son, celebrating the deeply human connections that make a place feel like home.
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Act III: The American Dream Expanded
Our world expands as the story grows bigger than just one family—it becomes about all of us. Utilizing bold color, expansive sound, and powerful imagery, the production captures a deeply meaningful, emotional slice of Americana. This movement is a celebration of community, shared dreams, legacy, and our collective identity.
Epilogue: The Circle Restored
In a striking visual and musical conclusion, the story comes full circle. Time has passed, and the young boy fully steps into his father's shoes, becoming the new farmer and caretaker of the land. The golden field returns and the story repeats, but with a profound new meaning. As the final notes of This Land and Amber Waves echo across the field, the production reminds both the performers and the audience that this legacy now belongs to a new generation.
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This isn't just a song. It's your story, your work, and your legacy. Together, we're going to bring it to life.