Carolina Crown debuts 2016 show ‘Relentless’ in Fort Mill

Excitement is building. It’s been on the uptick for months, and now everything comes together as Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps holds its 2016 Preview Sunday at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. All will be revealed then, including the show titled ‘Relentless” along with new uniforms, plus this year’s Crown Hall of Fame inductees.

This kickoff was originally set for Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C., but was moved to help promote the Nation Ford High School Marching Band after their invitation to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was announced. Also based in Fort Mill, Carolina Crown saw a special opportunity.

“The Fort Mill community has been tremendously generous over the years, helping us with camp housing and rehearsal space,” said Jim Coates, executive director. “Crown cares about our neighborhood. This event gives us the chance to give back to them and support one of our important local band programs.”

Coming off a highly successful 2015 season, Crown placed second overall in the DCI (Drum Corps International) finals in August with “Inferno.” In 2013 Carolina Crown’s “E=mc2” won first place honors, making them the World Champions in the DCI Finals.

While the brass and percussion have had show music since December and January, the Crown Guard’s work doesn’t start until spring training where they learn the drill, choreography and dance in four weeks. Then, the entire group combines to sharpen and perfect the show.

Modeled after Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and inspired by Homer’s “Iliad,” “Relentless” also borrows from Goldman’s “The Princess Bride,” enabling Carolina Crown’s tale of revenge as seen through the visual and sonic perspective of a timeless spaghetti Western. Featured are music selections by Ennio Morricone, Simon Dobson, Sting, Baz Luhrmann and more.

“We are extremely excited to be performing in our hometown at Nation Ford High School stadium,” said Brad Martin, director of development for Carolina Crown. “The corps is 150 members strong for 2016 and draws from all across the U.S. and internationally, with members from the U.K., Canada, Japan and Germany. There are two members from York County out of the 10 total from North and South Carolina.”

Fans are invited to come by the school throughout the day Sunday to watch as Crown rehearses its 2016 show. Admission to the preview is free starting at 6 p.m. The NFHS band members will take donations for their Macy’s Parade trip inside the stadium. The 2016 class of the Carolina Crown Hall of Fame will be announced first, celebrating alumni, leaders, volunteers and friends who have helped shape the Crown Organization during the last 27 years.

Carolina Crown takes the field at 7:30 p.m. to perform “Relentless” at the Nation Ford High School Stadium, 1400 A.O. Jones Blvd., Fort Mill. For information call 803-547-2270, visit carolinacrown.org or find hem on Facebook.

Elsewhere

Friday: Khaos Kings at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grille, Rock Hill; Ken Knox & Co. at Food Truck Friday, Fountain Park, Rock Hill; Mike Faulkenburg & Friends at Empire Pizza II-Newport, Rock Hill; Bandam at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; Zawbonz at SandBar Grill, Rock Hill; Songwriter Showcase & Open Mic at Ledo Pizza, Rock Hill; Lipstick on a Pig at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie; Frank Sciandra at The Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba; Rod Fiske at Madison’s on the Corner, Tega Cay-Fort Mill; The Rockaholics at McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon, Charlotte.

Saturday: PJ Brunson at Ledo Pizza, Rock Hill; Audiowine at Revolution’s at Rock Hill Galleria; Gene-Gene & the Blues Machine for grand opening at Cat’s Paw Winery, Rock Hill; Amped for Autism Benefit at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; Sonny Skyyz Revue at Original Empire Pizza, Rock Hill; Sonic Rewind at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie; The Hyde Band at The Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba; Zawbonz at Pineville Tavern, Pineville.

Sunday: Matt Tucker at The Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Carolina Crown debuts 2016 show ‘Relentless’ in Fort Mill."