On Oct. 19, Bonita Vista High’s (BVH) marching band Club Blue, worked with Professional Marching Band Composer, Arranger and Designer Luke McMillan who came in from Texas to assist Club Blue in performing one of McMillan’s marching band shows, “Across the Universe.” This field show is a mashup between “Across the Universe” by English rock band The Beatles and “The Planets”, a suite by English Composer Gustav Holst.
“Originally, I had offered BVH Band Director Mark McCann and other band directors [in California] to come down and help them with their shows. Last year, McCann brought me out, and I really loved my time at BVH, and hopefully, this [joint practice with BVH] becomes a tradition,” McMillan said.
McMillan has written shows for both Eastlake High and Castle Park High, but BVH is the only one performing Across the Universe. The Club Blue began practice for the piece in the beginning of the school year. Freshman and Tenor Saxophonist, Jian Lazarro highlights Club Blue’s thoughts on McMillan’s arrival.
“[Club Blue and I] were ecstatic, knowing that [McMillan] was the one who wrote [Across the Universe], and McMillan can help make it better […] I would say that Club Blue’s feelings were, ‘Oh my god, a person who can make [Club Blue’s] show ten times better is coming down here.’ [McMillan’s arrival] was amazing,” Lazarro said.
It is McMillan’s second time at BVH, with him coming to BVH last year to assist Club Blue perform another of his shows, “The Ascent.”McMillan has witnessed Club Blue develop, and he believes they keep improving every year. McMillan explains that even before his initial trip to BVH, he reviewed footage of Club Blue and was impressed by their skill. As McMillan originally comes from Texas, he has studied performances from both California and Texas high schools.
“There are more [high school] bands in Texas, but as far as the quality of the musicians, the quality musicians are exceptional here [in California] and [they] are excellent to work with,” McMillan said.
McCann explains that having McMillan around gives students another perspective on what they could work on and improve. As Club Blue practiced their performance, both McMillan and McCann made changes visually and musically.
“One of the greatest things about working with McMillan is that he will constantly make edits [in the show] for us. He is very hands-on when it comes to his clients. And [McMillan] works diligently to ensure everything is exactly what it needs to be even after we purchased the music,” McCann said.
Some edits that McMillan and McCann added included the addition of a new visual aspect, instructing students to run back and forth. McMillan notes his addition of musical edits, such as the change of a flute solo to become a duet. He added this because of the two talented flutists. Moreover, McMillan changed the score for percussionists, as there were more percussionists than McMillan had written for.
“[McMillan has] added a lot of new keys to improve my performance substantially, and he added way more minor things that made performance better. [McMillan and McCann are] adding new visual keys so [Club Blue] does not look like a band [but rather], we look like a true performance, something someone would see in a movie,” Lazarro said.
McCann shares a similar view, seeing adjustments and changes as something that is crucial to making the show more interesting for the audience. McCann says that things like adding in new musicians or changing parts to make them sound better can evolve a performance into a show.
“The performance may never be perfect, but [McCann and I] want the show to be exciting, and entertaining for the audience. It is exciting because [Across the Universe is] really great music. It includes ‘The Planets’ by Holst and ‘Across the Universe’ by the Beatles,” McMillan said. “Basically, everyone is able to recognize it. [Club Blue and I] want [the show] to be exciting, Club Blue and I want the show to be enjoyable.”
Seeing Club Blue’s progress has amazed McMillan, McCann and Club Blue themselves. Lazzaro described how the addition of McMillan had made his performance improve significantly. Lazarro values“Across the Universe” to be one of the best band performances that he has been a part of. Furthermore, McCann shares his positive reaction to Club Blue’s progress on the show.
“The kids have been working really hard all season. It is an exhausting process to get to the end. It is exceptional watching [students] continue to work with every roadblock that gets put in [their] way and every new addition that gets put in front of them. [Club Blue] has managed to come out on top and it is always an experience that is just exceptional,” McCann said.
Although McMillan was only at BVH for about two weeks, McCann recognizes the significant improvements made to Club Blue during that time. Students like Lazarro, who have seen their own improvement firsthand, and McCann himself, who saw how Club Blue developed, all were glad that McMillan had helped them out.
“Having [McMillan] here is an amazing thing for both the students and I. It is always nice to learn something new. I feel like McMillan’s wealth of knowledge is a benefit to all of us here. I am really thankful that BVH welcomed him and had a good experience with McMillan,” McCann said.
