One of my favorite things about marching band shows is the emotional impact they can create. The highs and lows in the performance pull me in and make each performance unique. However, there are several ways these impacts are impeded during the show. Whether it is how the ensemble builds to the impact or the monotony of sounds generated, the overall emotional content is lacking. Today, we discuss a few ways to help improve the ensemble's performance to create better moments of tension and release.