Bioluminescence

"Bioluminescence" is a show that is literally about light - and how powerful light is, and how it illuminates our world and our lives in many different ways. The opener (Illuminated Shadows) depicts the idea of light taking away the darkness. It's full of energy and it also has a very distinct section in the key of concert A major - which is rare in the band world, but so fresh-sounding and well worth the effort to teach the students this key. It again, emulates shining light onto the darkness. The ballad (Firefly Lullaby) is meant to depict dancing fireflies in the darkness. The lone clarinet solo against the keyboard accompaniment gives a very peaceful feeling, and then the full band comes in on the same melody once the solo concludes. The ballad is in another "rare band key" of G-flat concert - with a key change to D-flat concert. Very expressive, very beautiful, with a tranquil trumpet solo at the end to conclude the ballad. The third movement (Incandescent Beams) I had my own students use 1000-lumen flashlights and we did a choreographed visual to the groove the drumline/pit laid down. It was super cool and the audience during this movement and Firefly shined their phone lights back at us! It was really an awesome audience participation show that got the audience involved. Finally, the fourth movement (Wavelengths in Motion) opens with a heroic and soaring brass fanfare. If you have a strong brass section - let them rip it and let them have fun with it. The show ends strong in D-flat major and it ends with a hopeful and uplifting feeling at the end - to signify the power of light and illumination. "Bioluminescence" is an uplifting and happy show in so many ways, and it will be sure to impress your audiences!