1997 - Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"

1997's show, "From the New World", was a drastic change for the Portsmouth East Marching Band. Not in recent memory had the unit attempted a full classical music show on the field, and it would prove to be a very challenging and rewarding experience for the students.

The show's opening piece was an overture of themes which occur in the latter half of the 2nd Movement (Largo) of Dvorak's masterpiece. Opening slowly, the piece starts with the melody on the xylophone, but quickly relinquishes to a soft solo on the trumpet, played by Adam Forshey. The tempo and mood pick up to close out the brief opener very powerfully.

Following the opener, we come to a piece that begins with the popular theme from the 1st Movement (the beginning of the Allegro Molto section). Giving way to a drum break, the piece once again acquires parts of the late 2nd Movement, which continue until the close of the song.

The next piece, which is also the Largo Movement, is the hugely popular melody which eventually became "Going Home". The arrangement even includes a soft rock feel and a very beautiful trumpet solo, which was played by Senior Mark Pollard.

Hitting on the 3rd Movement (Molto Vivace), the band performs what has become known as the "Western Theme". The short piece, in 3/4 time, really added a light hearted moment into such a serious symphonic work (just as it does in Dvorak's own composition, which is highly suggested listening, indeed!).

The closer is the powerful 4th Movement (Allegro con Fuoco); one of the high points in modern western music, the 4th movement caused chills throughout. Showing their Drum & Bugle Corps influence, the band constantly marched throughout the driving music, until finally the building fury was released in the grandest, fullest chords imaginable. As one announcer put it as the band was awarded Grand Champion, "Antonin Dvorak would be proud!"