This year for Sahuaro’s winter drumline season, the show music is being written, rather than purchased, by previous Sahuaro drumline members – Kiara Garrett, Miles Guerrero, and Charlie Meneguin. The show is titled Beyond Evil There Is Insanity, and it’s a show about crazy, creepy clowns.

Beyond Evil There Is Insanity is not a show with a theme, but a concept show, which means it has a central focus with no story or message behind it. The 2019 film, Joker, is being used as inspiration for our makeup and acting throughout the show.

Charlie Meneguin broke down the show, saying, “The show is literally a show, it’s an event. You’re welcomed into this haunting, creepy carnival with part one. Then part two is a very groovy, jazzy piece that has the same energy where the villain has a conversation with the main character. I like to think of Hades and Hercules from the Disney movie as a dynamic example. Part three is the beginning of chaos as it shows the actual evil of the show. Part four is the crash, just an absolute firestorm that you hope to survive.”

You may be wondering why Sahuaro isn’t buying a show this year. It’s easier, less time consuming, and leaves more time for figuring out drill and choreography. Writing a show is full of trial and error, and putting ideas onto a page is much harder than expected. “We can have a vision in our head or an idea, but executing it is completely different,” said Garrett.

Sahuaro’s fine arts program is poorly funded as it is, so buying show music takes away from being able to purchase props, uniforms, and more to add to the effect of the show. Now, the drumline has money to buy all the things that will give Beyond Evil There Is Insanity the spark of madness it needs. Not only that, but new drum heads and mallets, or buying new equipment/fixing broken equipment can be purchased since upwards of $750 isn’t being spent on a show.

Besides funding, there are contextual benefits to writing the show, too. “We have no limits to creativity and can freely change and alter parts of the show at will,” said Guerrero. Another benefit is being able to write the music based on the people playing it. “We get to do what we want and we can write specifically to the ability of the performers of the ensemble,” said Garrett.

“As a group, we’re pretty young and new to teaching, so it’s good learning experience for us too. Teaching is a completely different beast,” said Meneguin. All three staff members can agree that writing and teaching is all about trial and error, and going with the flow and learning as you go. Since they’ve all played music themselves for a while, they know enough about music to be able to write it.

This experience is new for all members of the drumline- both players and teachers. It’s a complete, chaotic learning process full of fun and thrill. Everyone involved has the opportunity to create something unique and mad in their own way. If given the chance, pop out and see the mayhem with your own very eyes.