The incredible story of how a Ligeti etude made its way onto a football field

In 2006, I posted a video of Ligeti's Etude No. 13 ("The Devil's Staircase") to YouTube. The Santa Clara Vanguard performed the etude in a routine—inspired by my video—at the 2011 Drum Corps International World Championships. I only just saw the performance in 2024 for the first time.

Every element of the story blows my mind.