Implement Entertainment Concepts Project
Surgical Stryke, the Army Band’s rock group, will be performing at a recruiting mission at Steele High School in Cibolo, TX. The rock band will be performing in the cafeteria, during the student’s lunchtime. The lunch periods will run 25 minutes with 10 minute breaks in-between. The band will perform at all three lunch periods.
I will send out a publicity packet to the High school three weeks before the performance. There will be a cover letter thanking the school for inviting us to perform. It will also confirm the performance date and time, as well as list the anticipated arrival time of the group for set up and sound check. All of my contact information will be included for any questions or changes that may arise. A copy will be sent to the area recruiter and all correspondence with the school will be coordinated with the recruiter. This publicity packet will include posters/flyers to display throughout the school, an information packet on the band itself with biographies of the members, and a technical spec sheet explaining the power and space requirements of the group.
I will coordinate with the recruiter to line up appropriate Army items to give away during the performance. These will range from miniature footballs and key chains to water bottles and t-shirts, plus any other items that are deemed appropriate by the recruiter and the school administration. The recruiter will have a table and display set up in the cafeteria as well. This will be set up in a convenient location near the doorways, so that it cannot be missed by the students. The recruiter will have Army band specific items as well as all of the regular Army recruiting information. Lead cards will also be available for the students. We will also display Army Band posters, with permission, on the pillars, walls and doors of the cafeteria. The band will set up at the center of the main wall in the front of the cafeteria. Tables may be adjusted to provide space for the band. Cases and unnecessary items will be brought back to the truck unless a storage area is available. If possible, an Army banner will be hung on the wall behind the drum set. At the very least Army posters will be displayed on the sides of the main speakers.
We will begin our set with Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional. This song is strong and will get the student’s attention as they enter the cafeteria. As this song ends our lead singer will greet the students and briefly give the band’s name and let them know we are going to have some fun. It is important to invite the crowd in by greeting them and give them permission to have fun by clapping and singing along. During this brief intro, our band will pick up a groove for the next tune, Sugar, We’re Goin Down by Fall Out Boy. Our singer will talk about the fact that we are all different and even though it can be hard, it is important to stand up for ourselves. This will lead us into the song which will connect with the students. It is a strong, upbeat song that is popular among the younger crowds. This will be a tune that the students will recognize. The band will be able to grab the student’s attention by playing something familiar. At the end of this second tune the singer will introduce the members of the band as the piano player and guitar player start a groove for the next tune. The singer will grab a stool and bring it forward. As he sits down, he will explain that we are going to bring things down a little with this next song Come Home, by One Republic. This is a slower, low energy tune that will change the mood of the performance. This will help get the students drawn in, as it is different from the previous two songs. After this song the singer will stand and walk out to the front tables to ask the crowd how they are doing. The band will start the extended intro for Baba O’Riley by The Who, as performed by Pearl Jam. The singer will get the students clapping along as the band picks up the main groove. The singer will invite audience participation and have the students sing along in the middle of the song. He will be sure to explain what they should sing and practice it with them before they give it a try. The intent is to get the students clapping and singing along on the chorus of the song. This will create a moment that the students will remember. There will be a break section of dueling guitar solos in the middle of the song. The song will be extended and build in intensity and excitement. The will put pressure on the audience and give them an experience to remember. As the song ends, the singer will milk the applause by running around giving “high-fives” to the students. Once the applause begins to die down he will thank them for being a great audience and let them know we terrific time. The intent is that they will leave the cafeteria humming or singing this song.
All music will be memorized, so there will be no music stands on stage. We will have wireless pick-ups for the guitars and wireless microphones for the vocalists. This will allow the band members to move freely on the stage and out to the students as well. We will use Tom Jackson’s approach for stage presence, making eye contact with the audience. All members will work all angles of the audience. When necessary, performers will “bail out” to focus the crowd’s attention on a soloist or the vocalist. The band members will work to constantly change the pressure on the audience, moving forward and back as appropriate.
The front line of the band (vocals, guitars) will use choreography appropriately. Vocalists/soloists will square off and duel at times. All performers will get into the music and look like they are having a great time. Stools will be available for the slower tune to change up the pressure on the audience. Time will be allowed for everyone to get psyched up prior to the performances. The staging and choreography will be rehearsed so that it seems natural.
Our second guitar player will also serve as our narrator. He will be doing the lead in to the second song, by telling a story. He will also field questions about the group between songs or performances.
I will also be acting as stage manager for the group. In this role I will be responsible for song selection and concepts for our show. I will manage publicity, equipment needs, transportation, timeline for the load in and load out and the job sheet. These tasks will be divided up among the group, but I will be responsible for them. Every band member will be assigned specific tasks for the load out, set up, tear down, and load in. I will coordinate with our unit Operations shop, the recruiter, and the POC at the High School. After the mission an AAR will be conducted and recorded for future use.