Revolutionary New Halftime Show

Photography from Wix

Band of Gold is proud to present their new show called "Spot On!" This show will include three different parts. It starts strong with Soft Spots, then Hard Spots and finally, Spotlight.

This year, in the band halftime show, part three (Spotlight) includes Lady Gaga's song "Applause" from her album ’Artpop.' This show is filled with visually interesting choreography shown throughout the entire performance. The choreography pulls attention because of the precision and creativity behind the movements. It also includes stunning, colorful props and costumes that immerse the audience in the story that the band tells. The colors in this show include a bright yellow, a warm orange, a proud pink, and a bold purple. These props and costumes would mean nothing if it weren’t for the beautiful, moving performances by the MJHS Color Guard and Band of Gold. These performances truly encapsulate the messaging behind the show and people can tell how dedicated to their craft these students truly are. 

The messaging behind this halftime show is seen with the outstanding music choices by Jason Palmer. Palmer curated a mix of songs that will surely blow the audience away. This blend of songs tells the story that the band really needed to rejuvenate the program and remind these students why they do what they do.

Abigail Postell, the Color Guard captain and band president, states, “I think the show is more hip, more new and more pop, and I think that’s what the band really needed.” 

Not only is this show reviving the band program, it’s also helping students work on their dreams. Mt. Juliet High School Band of Gold has been around since 1985, and all these years, it has been allowing students opportunities to work towards their dreams and showcase their talents to large scale audiences. Many of the want to pursue music for their future careers, and the Band of Gold has made this dream a reality for many.

“I’m super excited to keep learning it and pursuing my musical career through it,” said Chloe Johnson, a senior. 

First, students in spotted outfits roll large white wheels across the field as the music starts to play. They lay these wheels flat and utilize them for height and levels as they spin their flags, adding depth to the performance. Instead of looking at the same flat ground the rest of the game, people get to see these performers in different variations. It adds a small, but noticeable, distinction between the guard and the rest of the band. They spread out before quickly rushing back to the wheels and moving them again. Then, they bring out sabers and toss them around while standing on top of the wheels. 

The music slows, and people are brought to a much calmer pace. The sabers are set aside as they bring the flags back out, displaying a less intense, but equally as impressive, act. The music is more emotionally impactful and brings out a more serene, honest presentation of the act. Instead of all the fun party tricks from before, the audience gets to see the more real side of the color guard. The audience gets to witness the vulnerability and the honest passion that is hard to display alongside lots of chaos. 

Finally, the sabers are brought out once again as the band rearranges positions. The wheels are rolled away and the color guard kids do some final tricks with them. They give the audience one last taste of the extravagant things they can do. They work for hours alongside their band family, trying to manage school, family, friends, and intense choreography, all to make this moment as amazing as it can be. 

The show draws in the audience and allows them to connect with the performers and the story in a way that other shows have not been able to before. Band of Gold is excited to perform their show “Spot on!” at the Contest of Champions this year.