Conceptual Design
Our Comprehensive Conceptual Design Service includes:
1. Initial Consultation: After learning about your performance goals for the season, we will discuss show ideas you may have (if any), assess student ability levels, and get an inventory of your musical and visual equipment (e.g., instruments, implements).
2. Show Formulation: Based on what we learn in the initial consultation, we will formulate the overall concept. We’ll maintain a dialog with you throughout the process, ask for your ideas, and incorporate them wherever applicable (see Program Coordination).
3. Show Summary: For us this is the intensive work phase of the conceptual process. We will produce a detailed show summary that includes:
- a show title
- a concept mission statement to guide and unify the designers
- a listing of all musical selections
- a timeline of each production—what happens and when
- a detailed explanation of effect including musical effects, visual effects, coordinated effects, color guard effects (e.g., equipment possibilities, flag design concepts, colors, costuming), staging considerations, body movement/dance concepts, and narration possibilities
- suggestions for prop utilization
Outstanding marching band design marries the musical with the visual and considers both at every step of the process. Too often marching band shows are conceived and designed with a focus on either musical or visual to the detriment of the show. Marching Monk is known for producing outstanding coordinated concepts and design.
Clarity of intent plays the biggest role in the overall effectiveness of any artistic production and it guides everything we do at Marching Monk. Concept clarity starts in the pre-design process and continues throughout show design (e.g., musical arrangements, visual design).
Certain situation-specific questions must be answered before a note or rhythm is ever typed into the computer: Is the concept simple, strong, and effective? Does it maximize your program’s strengths? Does it use all available tools (e.g., electronics, props, unique percussion instruments)? Is the concept fresh, unique, and creative? Will the conceptual intent be appreciated and admired by all—the football crowd, competition crowd, judges, your students, you? Our goal is to create a concept that will be talked about long after your final show has been performed.