Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble

Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble (formerly known as Liberty Bell Marching Band and Color Guard) is a Division I Marching Band based in the City of Barcelona, Catalonia. It operates under Llibertat Marching Arts, an organization that runs groups in all FMA circuits. Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble is a current member of the League of Gentlemanly Marching Bands (LGMB). Due to it being one of few corps based in Europe, they are able to take recruits from all around the EU.

## History

Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble was first founded in Moscow, Russia slightly before season 41, alongside Castells Drum and Bugle Corps, Les Roses Color Guard, and Piedra Del Sol Drumline. Castania first performed during season 41 with their program *The Big Dragon*. Castania's first season would be the most successful of their sister groups, scoring a 64.120, which would place the group just outside of the top 20 in Division III.

Castania would be able to perform in the FMA circuit regularly until season 45, which is when Castania would begin to struggle financially. Between season 45 and season 114, Castania would perform in the FMA circuit sporadically. During this time, Castania was not able to surpass their initial high score from season 41. Some time around season 102, Castania leadership would relocate from Moscow, Russia and many of the chief staff would end up in the city of Barcelona. The group would perform locally in the region of Catalonia until season 114, in which Castania would return to the FMA circuit after a 42 season competitive absence.

Castania's returning program in season 114 was entitled Lior, and was inspired by the concept of Dungeons and Dragons campaign and the concept of theatre of the mind. Castania's return would mark a historic season for the ensemble, as they would beat their previous score record by over 20 points. They ended the season with a score of 84.850, which would catapult Castania within the top two groups of Div III. The group actually were ranked first in the division until the 28th of July 2023, which is when Black Gold Outdoor Performance Ensemble overtook Castania. While this was initially saddening for Castania's members, Black Gold Performance Ensemble's members were very encouraging of Castania members, with the two groups congratulating each other at finals. This would eventually lead to a bit of a friendly rivalry between the two groups.

The following season Castania would be invited to join Division II in the FMA marching band circuit. Their season 115 program was entitled *Look to the Sky*, which featured music relating to the night sky. Due to an influx in new groups during season 115, Division II marching band mimic's Division III in season 114, including many of the same groups. Castania and Black Gold Performance Ensemble would be the forerunners in Division II marching band. This time around, Castania would come out on top of Black Gold Performance Ensemble, achieving a new high score of 90.945. This would be the firs time that Castania would break the 90 point barrier and would be the first gold medal the ensemble would achieve. Following finals, Castania and Black Gold Performance Ensemble would congratulate each other and celebrate their continued success together before Castania's members would fly back home to Europe.

Castania's season 116 program was entitled *The Ocean Air: A Pirate's Tale,* which told the story of a pirate crew's antics. Season 116 would play out similarly to season 115, with Castania achieving a large deal of success. Their jump in achievement between seasons was not as steep as seen previously, but the group was still able to beat their score record for the third season in a row. Castania would end their season with a score of 91.205, which would award them their second gold medal in Division II Marching Band. Their rival, Black Gold Performance Ensemble would again be right on Castania's tail with a score of 88.845. This would mark the third season in a row in which Castania and Black Gold Performance Ensemble would take the top two spots in their division of FMA marching band.

The success of season 116 would lead to Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble being invited to join Division I marching band in season 117. Their first program in Divisions I would be entitled *Wine-Dark Sea*, based on the story of the Iliad and the Odyssey and featuring John Mackey's piece of the same name. Castania would go onto place the highest out of all of the division I Llibertat groups, placing 8th overall with a score of 92.330.

Castania would retain their division I spot in season 118. Their program *Noir* aims tell a story of a detective and was inspired by the film noir genre of film.

### Name History

The group adopted the name "Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble" following season 116. The group was previously known as Liberty Bell Marching Band and Color Guard. The name was chosen based on the Spanish chestnut tree, which is common in the region of Catalonia. This name was chosen because similar to the tree, the group is hardy and serve the purpose of bringing joy to those around them, similar to the joy felt by those consuming the sweet chestnut the tree produces.

## Gallery Of Previous Show Posters

Castania's season 115 program "Look To The Sky"Castania's season 116 program "The Ocean Air: A Pirate's Tale"Castania's season 117 program "Wine-Dark Sea"Castania's season 118 program "Noir"