The Centennial High School
Winterguard will be starting its 2nd competitive season in
2012. We had a successful inaugural season, and we are
looking forward to this new year. Our
show this year is "Set Fire to the Rain"
and features the song of the same name
by Adele.
The CHS Winterguard will begin
competition this year in class Regional AA with the chance to advance
in class up to Regional A and beyond. If we do well,
we would then advance to the Scholastic classes. The
Burleson HS Winterguard will be competing in
Regional A which is one class above us.
Our contest
schedule can be found on the
Regiment Calendar and on our
NTCA Unit Page.
2011 Winterguard @ NTCA Regional A
Championships
WINTERGUARD: THE SECOND GUARD SEASON
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AS A GUARD PARENT?
Long before the end of marching band season plans are
underway for the second season of our performance year:
WINTERGUARD! As its title indicates, winterguard is
colorguard during the winter. Winterguard consists of
colorguard components set to specially choreographed music
with dance and equipment work. Winterguard is performed on
a basketball court on a removable vinyl covering that is
placed over the basketball court. Just as band member
continues to develop musical skills after marching season
with concert band, winterguard performers will continue to
build their skill levels on equipment and dance.
As
with fall colorguard a little more of the show is added each
week. It may be necessary to re-write drill or change guard
work until the staff is satisfied that the show fits the
conceptual theory of the music. Winterguard can be a much
more intense activity than fall colorguard due to the
intimacy generated from the proximity of the performers to
the audience – you are able to feel the emotion and look the
performers directly in the eyes!
The
winterguard season continues the pattern of practices
several evenings a week or after school, occasional Saturday
practices, and various competitions. We will compete in the
North Texas Colorguard Association and begin in Class
Regional AAA.
Due
to all the extracurricular activities of our school
district, it is difficult to find a location for guard
practice, which may result in a Saturday rehearsal.
Therefore, a degree of flexibility must be maintained. It
cannot be emphasized enough that all practices, even last
minute ones are mandatory. Being a color guard member
requires an amazing amount of dedication and hard work. A
competitive guard program cannot be built or maintained
without unquestioning commitment from its members and their
parents.
Colorguard
can be an emotional and stressful time for our kids. It is
very difficult to learn guard work, deal with practice
hours, find time for other classes, be a family member and
be a teenager. The bad news is that for a while, they will
be busy for a good portion of the day. At times it will
feel like they are eat, sleep and breathing colorguard. But
the good news is that from colorguard they will learn
discipline, task completion, musicality, expression,
sequencing, problem solving, teamwork, how to be a good
sport, and how to get along with others. One of the great
things about teenagers is that they have the ability to cry
or scream when stressed – an occasional good cry is nature’s
release valve. So get out the Kleenex and rest assured that
tears are normal, to be expected, and short in duration. If
you need someone to talk to please don’t hesitate to ask one
of us or another parent, and encourage your child to speak
to a vet if they need help learning how to fit in all
together.
THAT DREADED WORD:
INELIGIBILTY
As
we all know, high schoolers have plenty of class work and
studies (you mean there’s life outside the band room??).
While band/guard instills a work ethic, discipline and goal
setting that will help your student academically, anyone can
experience difficulty. Under the State of Texas Dept. of
Education guidelines if a student is not passing a course
the student cannot compete in any school sanctioned event
until the grade is brought up to passing. A list goes to
the band director that shows those students who may not be
eligible for a competition. Please remember that this is
your child’s responsibility—they should ask for assistance
BEFORE they are flunking a class. If you are concerned
about how your child is doing in their classes you can call
the school counselor and request a grade check at any time.
***IMPORTANT THINGS FOR SUCCESS***
1. Respect the guard instructors and follow
their direction!!
2. VERY IMPORTANT: arrive at practice 15
minutes early in order to start on time.
3. Bring a positive, focused attitude to
each and every practice; Check your ego at the door
4. Do not bring outside problems to
practice.
5. Respect every guard member – each person
has something special to contribute!!
