During Field Season, the Auxiliary judge looks at everything that goes into your show, namely vocabulary (both body and equipment), costumes, equipment, props, staging of performers, color choices, etc.. If it is on the field and not playing an instrument, the Auxiliary judge will most likely talk about it. When we move into Winter Guard, [...]
Often times, as I am sitting in the stands during a break in a contest, I get many questions from the spectators seated around me. They vary from “what are you doing?” and “how do you sit that long?” to “do you really have to talk through the entire performance?” Undoubtedly, at some point in [...]
This will make your guard program better, I SWEAR! I had planned to cover this topic later in the series, but knowing that many guards are already starting their winter programs, I thought discussing it now might help prevent problems later on. One of the most common failures in all of color–guard–land is the dreaded [...]
Remember in kindergarten everyone would gather around the teacher for story time? Everyone loves listening to stories, even high school kids! In our guard, we have ‘story time’ and it is connected to the development of our team core values. One of our values is to ‘Be good people’ and treat each other with respect. [...]
Few other words evoke such a visceral reaction. Sweaty palms, increased heart-rate, feelings of entrapment, loss of control, arguments with family members or partners into the wee-hours of the morning… and now your band director? Seriously! You were hired to put on an epic production of guardliness not crunch numbers. Isn’t that what the sallow-skinned [...]
Hello Darlings! I am back! I have returned to the glorious pages screen that is color guard educators. Of COURSE I missed you! Yup, here I am. My marching band season has drawn to a close, and as always, I am loving what some of our performers are putting out there… [Err, yes, I may [...]
When my husband was hired as head band director of a school in Tennessee, I was so excited for him, but even more excited to start working with his colorguard. I came in to meet the girls and learned that their program had been struggling in recent years with no consistent director or guard instructor. [...]
How much time and money have you wasted digging through piles of CDs, hunting down copyright-questionable tracks on the Internet or buying individual tracks only to have them end up in the discard pile? In fact, you’ve probably resigned yourself to this reality when hunting down the ideal soundtrack for your guards. Well, waste no [...]
Today will be a quick post (well… none of my posts end up quick… I think I’m incapable of “short and concise…) and a link to an interesting discussion. First, if you haven’t discovered the new “Marching Roundtable” podcast take a minute a click on over there … well… first finish reading this post and then [...]
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This has got to be the simplest Fun Friday craft project yet! It’ll only take you minutes (beyond gathering the supplies) but you’re sure to put smiles on the faces of your performers! ‘Flag’ Candy Canes Materials needed: Craft Felt Glue gun Sheet of paper Candy cane Instructions: Using the sheet of paper, cut a [...]
Remember in kindergarten everyone would gather around the teacher for story time? Everyone loves listening to stories, even high school kids! In our guard, we have ‘story time’ and it is connected to the development of our team core values. One of our values is to ‘Be good people’ and treat each other with respect. [...]
Materials needed: 20” x 50” fabric 2 x 80” pieces of cording Puffy paints, buttons, ribbon, bows, etc for decorating Cut 20” x 50” piece of fabric (you can alter the size to meet your needs). Fold in ½, right sides together. From top edge, mark 2” down. (Fig. 1) Using ½” seams, sew below [...]
This is a fun activity the entire band participates in! During marching season students create spirit bags for their own sections, for every performance. Spirit bags contain a few treats and some fun baubles from the dollar store (a glow stick, mardi gras beads, lip gloss, etc). Coaches and directors sometimes add a little note [...]
September is typically a tough month for kids since they have so many responsibilities, homework, the social scene of high school, and it can take some time to figure out the balance between life and marching band. It’s always the toughest time for my kids, even when they know the expectations of the guard. Once [...]
This has got to be the simplest Fun Friday craft project yet! It’ll only take you minutes (beyond gathering the supplies) but you’re sure to put smiles on the faces of your performers! ‘Flag’ Candy Canes Materials needed: Craft Felt Glue gun Sheet of paper Candy cane Instructions: Using the sheet of paper, cut a [...]
ON THE WEB: Band Saves Lives and Fundraises at the Same Time
We thought this was an interesting/unique approach to both service and fundraising – check out this New Jersey marching band that saves lives while also earning some money for their program. Win/Win!
ON THE WEB: Podcast about starting a brand new WG program
Episode 47 of the Marching Roundtable podcast series (posted December 12, 2011) is an interview with Tim LeBlanc – a guard instructor from TX who has also been a participant in the CGE community on Facebook – about his experience starting a brand new winter guard at a new school. Check it out! Episode 47: [...]
Remember in kindergarten everyone would gather around the teacher for story time? Everyone loves listening to stories, even high school kids! In our guard, we have ‘story time’ and it is connected to the development of our team core values. One of our values is to ‘Be good people’ and treat each other with respect. [...]
Budget-Conscious Costume Transformation
Being involved in the color guard world, we all know what it is like to be on a budget. Some of you are probably thinking, “What budget? I wish I had money to budget!” This year I needed to allocate more money for flag fabric since we purchased 2 shaded-silk swing flags for each member [...]
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