The Portsmouth East High School Marching Band's 1999 competition show was entitled The Planets.  It included selections from Gustav Holst's masterpiece of the same name, which were arranged by popular band arranger Jay Bocook.

The music was matched with a high intensity, drum corps style drill.  The beautifully developed drill complimented the music, both in concept, and in aestheticism.

The three selections from The Planets were, in show order: "Mars: The Bringer of War"; "Venus: The Bringer of Peace"; and "Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity".

"Mars" opens the show ominously. Heavy on the low brass at start, this piece, in 5/4 time, builds the drama and tension that is prevalent throughout the whole composition.  This arrangement accurately portrays the ferocious ambience of war through a pounding and solid bass line, clashing brass fanfares, and rhythmic pandemonium.

The logical end to a war is the resulting peace.  In the conceptual show, "Venus: The Bringer of Peace" follows directly on the heels of the powerful opener, as it does in Holst's original series.  A somber French Horn solo opens the piece, signaling the sadness for the fallen, yet the hope for the future, in its melody.  The band enters and builds on the themes, and the peace is finally brought in with the fading notes closing the song.

A flurry of music announces the arrival of the Bringer of Jollity, "Jupiter". A people weary from an ongoing war, and from burying their fallen in the peace afterwards are shown how to lighten their hearts once again.  This arrangement of "Jupiter" is an extremely powerful closer to the show, and also includes many of the themes of the original piece.

An emotional and powerful show is for what Portsmouth East is known.  This show was no exception, and undoubtedly moved many a marching band fan.