The Arena
The Arena
In a world where spectacle replaces mercy and survival becomes a performance, The Arena follows the journey of those forced to fight for their lives under the watchful eyes of a powerful regime. Each year, young competitors are chosen and thrust into an arena designed for conflict. A place where fear is entertainment, and hope is a dangerous act of rebellion.
The show traces the emotional arc of this brutal ritual: the rising tension of selection, the overwhelming roar of the crowd, and the terrifying stillness before the battle begins. Once inside the arena, every heartbeat becomes a weapon as alliances form, betrayals surface, and survival demands impossible choices. Amid the chaos, a single voice of defiance begins to rise; a spark that refuses to be extinguished.
As whispers of resistance grow, songs once meant to control transform into symbols of unity. What begins as a fight to survive becomes a struggle to break free from the system itself. The music swells with the courage of those who dare to stand against oppression, turning fear into fire and the arena into the birthplace of rebellion.
In the end, the spectacle meant to display power instead reveals its cracks, as the tributes' courage echoes far beyond the walls of the arena. The Arena becomes a story not just of survival, but of awakening, resistance, and the moment when one act of bravery can ignite an entire revolution.
The Arena
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 6:20
Commissioned by the Highland High School Marching Band in Cowiche, Washington
Music
Horn of Plenty by James Newton Howard
The Hanging Tree by James Newton Howard
Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Lorde
Arranged by Tim Mitchell
Front Ensemble by Luke DeDominces
Sound Design by Tim Mitchell
The non-original music in this show was arranged with permission, ONLY after securing the rights to arrange and perform through Tresona Music. Any future ensemble that wishes to perform this show will have to obtain the same rights and permissions.
Show Description
In a world where spectacle replaces mercy and survival becomes a performance, The Arena follows the journey of those forced to fight for their lives under the watchful eyes of a powerful regime. Each year, young competitors are chosen and thrust into an arena designed for conflict. A place where fear is entertainment, and hope is a dangerous act of rebellion.
The show traces the emotional arc of this brutal ritual: the rising tension of selection, the overwhelming roar of the crowd, and the terrifying stillness before the battle begins. Once inside the arena, every heartbeat becomes a weapon as alliances form, betrayals surface, and survival demands impossible choices. Amid the chaos, a single voice of defiance begins to rise; a spark that refuses to be extinguished.
As whispers of resistance grow, songs once meant to control transform into symbols of unity. What begins as a fight to survive becomes a struggle to break free from the system itself. The music swells with the courage of those who dare to stand against oppression, turning fear into fire and the arena into the birthplace of rebellion.
In the end, the spectacle meant to display power instead reveals its cracks, as the tributes' courage echoes far beyond the walls of the arena. The Arena becomes a story not just of survival, but of awakening, resistance, and the moment when one act of bravery can ignite an entire revolution.
Other Versions
Instrumentation
WINDS
-Flute
-Clarinet 1, 2
-Bass Clarinet
-Alto Sax
-Tenor Sax
-Baritone Sax
-Trumpet 1, 2, 3
-Mellophone
-Low Brass 1, 2
-Baritone T.C.
-Tuba
BATTERY
-Snare Drums
-Tenors (Quints)
-Bass Drums*
FRONT ENSEMBLE
-Marimba
-Vibraphone
-Xylophone
-Bells
-Chimes
-Synthesizer
-Rack Percussion 1, 2, 3
STRING QUARTET (OPTIONAL)
-Violin 1
-Violin 2
-Viola
-Cello
* This show comes with the option of 4 or 5 bass drums
Listen to This Show
Drill Package
The drill package available for this show is written for marching members, with limited number adjustments included with purchase.
Difficulty:
Section Numbers:
Pricing
Music Package - $1,900
Includes winds, percussion, and sound design.
Drill Package -
Includes drill with limited number adjustments.
Add-Ons
Custom services (please contact us for a price quote)
-Program coordination
-Custom drill design
-Custom winds choreography
-Custom guard choreography
-Wind and percussion adaptations
Pricing
Music Package - $1,900
Includes winds, percussion, and sound design.
Drill Package -
Includes drill with limited number adjustments.
Add-Ons
Custom services (please contact us for a price quote)
-Program coordination
-Custom drill design
-Custom winds choreography
-Custom guard choreography
-Wind and percussion adaptations
Instrumentation
WINDS
-Flute
-Clarinet 1, 2
-Bass Clarinet
-Alto Sax
-Tenor Sax
-Baritone Sax
-Trumpet 1, 2, 3
-Mellophone
-Low Brass 1, 2
-Baritone T.C.
-Tuba
BATTERY
-Snare Drums
-Tenors (Quints)
-Bass Drums*
FRONT ENSEMBLE
-Marimba
-Vibraphone
-Xylophone
-Bells
-Chimes
-Synthesizer
-Rack Percussion 1, 2, 3
STRING QUARTET (OPTIONAL)
-Violin 1
-Violin 2
-Viola
-Cello
* This show comes with the option of 4 or 5 bass drums
Music
Horn of Plenty by James Newton Howard
The Hanging Tree by James Newton Howard
Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Lorde
Arranged by Tim Mitchell
Front Ensemble by Luke DeDominces
Sound Design by Tim Mitchell
The non-original music in this show was arranged with permission, ONLY after securing the rights to arrange and perform through Tresona Music. Any future ensemble that wishes to perform this show will have to obtain the same rights and permissions.
Show Description
In a world where spectacle replaces mercy and survival becomes a performance, The Arena follows the journey of those forced to fight for their lives under the watchful eyes of a powerful regime. Each year, young competitors are chosen and thrust into an arena designed for conflict. A place where fear is entertainment, and hope is a dangerous act of rebellion.
The show traces the emotional arc of this brutal ritual: the rising tension of selection, the overwhelming roar of the crowd, and the terrifying stillness before the battle begins. Once inside the arena, every heartbeat becomes a weapon as alliances form, betrayals surface, and survival demands impossible choices. Amid the chaos, a single voice of defiance begins to rise; a spark that refuses to be extinguished.
As whispers of resistance grow, songs once meant to control transform into symbols of unity. What begins as a fight to survive becomes a struggle to break free from the system itself. The music swells with the courage of those who dare to stand against oppression, turning fear into fire and the arena into the birthplace of rebellion.
In the end, the spectacle meant to display power instead reveals its cracks, as the tributes' courage echoes far beyond the walls of the arena. The Arena becomes a story not just of survival, but of awakening, resistance, and the moment when one act of bravery can ignite an entire revolution.
Other Versions
Pricing
Music Package - $1,900
Includes winds, percussion, and sound design.
Add-Ons
Custom services (please contact us for a price quote)
-Program coordination
-Custom drill design
-Custom winds choreography
-Custom guard choreography
-Wind and percussion adaptations