The two-time defending Drum Corps International champion Cavaliers (co-champions in 2000) announced their show, "Frameworks," for 2002. Like the 2001 production, "Four Corners," it will be built on completely original music and drill. While last year's show focused on using the four corners of the football field, next summer's production will take a closer look at melody, harmony and rhythm.

Corps officials said the first part of the show is "Movement I," focusing on melody. The second segment is "Movement II," introducing harmony. "Movement III" caps off the show by exploring unique rhythms.

"Each movement will have many aspects of music but the main crux/highlight of each will be what the title suggests," said Scott Koter, show coordinator. "The goal is to see how much can be created with such a simple concept."

The corps has had a lot of success over the last 50 years with simple concepts that are taken to the extreme and done very cleanly. The corps won titles the last two summers with easy-to-grasp concepts and complex visual effects, and won fans’ hearts with head-bobbing melodic hooks that would make Brittany Spears jealous.

But it’s a fine line this heralded design team is walking. One of the last times the Cavies experimented with a simple, avant garde concept was 1997, when the corps began their show with silence and "shoop" chants. Fans and judges stuck their toes into the concept but never jumped into the show, and the corps finished seventh. Koter is confident this experiment will be different.

"Each movement will begin in a manner that the audience should immediately identify the title without a program. Movement I, ‘Melody’ – simple, melodic fragment that will be presented in a variety of styles, tempos, and textures.

"Movement II, ‘Harmony’ -- the exploration of harmony from one single note. Although the basic melody from the opener is utilized occasionally, the trick is in the exploration of a variety of harmonies and textures presented in a variety of methods. In addition, the marriage of the visual design to the chordal progressions is another highlight.

"Movement III, ‘Rhythm’ -- again, the piece begins with a simple statement of a basic rhythm identifying the crux of the movement and title. The essence is (like the other movements) how many creative variations and twists can be taken with this basic rhythm. Obviously, melody and harmony/textures will be utilized but subservient to the main focus, rhythm."

One of the "Green Machine’s" strengths has always been stretching the field with its geometric drill. Koter said fans will get more of the same this year.

"I would say that many musical concepts and events have been created to allow us to explore the field in ways that are unique..." he said.