"Spirits of the Canyon" is intended to invoke the beauty and grandeur of the unique rock formations and coloration seen in various parts of the American southwest. The show was originally inspired by the lore surrounding Bryce Canyon in Utah - a legend in which the rock formations are said to be trapped spirits. More broadly, the show concept draws from the notion that all things in nature have a spirit. The show breaks down into four parts, and while we aren't trying to tell a literal story, certain elements that inspired the design and direction of the show are pretty clear.
In Part One, the scene is dawn in the canyon, and our "sun spirit" character (portrayed by a member of the Color Guard) begins bringing the canyon to life. The sun breaks over the top of the canyon as the music becomes bold, and the vivid colors of the canyon appear as the Guard spins two different flags.
Part Two takes us to midday, when the various insects and animals of the canyon are active, contributing their sounds to the exciting and adventurous quality of the music.
In Part Three there is a sense of peaceful serenity followed by the strength and beauty of a waterfall and river which fill the canyon floor.
Night begins to fall as we transition into Part Four, and the images of cave paintings, constellations, and fire evoke the darker, more primal nature of the canyon.
Finally we approach dawn once more as the band and color guard once again disappear into the canyon landscape.