“To those who understand, no explanation needed. To those who do not, no explanation possible.” - Unknown source. From the battlefields across the globe to the football fields in our backyards, color guard has an incredible and colorful history that continues to flourish and grow with changing times.
Color guard has very cut and dried origins. However, the point when it began to morph into the color guard we have today does not have a definite date or any single individual credited with starting such a change. Modern day color guard have their roots in many traditional military ceremonies. Color guard, sometimes referred to as a color team, normally consists of four members of approximately equal height although the size of the color guard …show more content…
The list of marching competitions across this nation alone amounts to an almost endless one. However competitions specifically for color guard members during the marching band off season do exist. Indoor guards or winter guards perform in a gymnasium during winter or spring, normally regarded as the off season for most color guard due to the fact that the marching band season has ended (Holston 120). Winter Guard International (WGI), regarded as the world’s premier organization for winterguard produce indoor color guard competition. WGI Sport of the Arts also host percussion, and wind ensemble competitions (“What is WGI”). Winter guards from middle schools, high schools, universities as well as in many independent organizations come from across the nation to compete. For Tournament of Bands (TOB), guards must have at least five performing members, and no more than 30. Groups have time limits determined by class, with the least experienced participants given 3 to 5 1/2 minutes, while the most experienced participants having 4 to 7 1/2 minutes. The different classes also have limits enforced regarding performance, equipment, props, and presence on the performance area (Usilton 24). Winter Guard International has programs based not only in the United States but Canada, Belgium, Holland, Germany, England, Ireland, Korea, Japan, and Africa as well (“What is WGI”). Just as marching band color guard, winterguard use rifle, sabres and flags. Winter guard allows for more intricate choreography and gives the performers the opportunity to tell more in depth stories through their choreography and body movements. Differences between color guard performances and and winter guard performances do however exist. One of the differences between the two include the performing platforms. Winter
Color guard has very cut and dried origins. However, the point when it began to morph into the color guard we have today does not have a definite date or any single individual credited with starting such a change. Modern day color guard have their roots in many traditional military ceremonies. Color guard, sometimes referred to as a color team, normally consists of four members of approximately equal height although the size of the color guard …show more content…
The list of marching competitions across this nation alone amounts to an almost endless one. However competitions specifically for color guard members during the marching band off season do exist. Indoor guards or winter guards perform in a gymnasium during winter or spring, normally regarded as the off season for most color guard due to the fact that the marching band season has ended (Holston 120). Winter Guard International (WGI), regarded as the world’s premier organization for winterguard produce indoor color guard competition. WGI Sport of the Arts also host percussion, and wind ensemble competitions (“What is WGI”). Winter guards from middle schools, high schools, universities as well as in many independent organizations come from across the nation to compete. For Tournament of Bands (TOB), guards must have at least five performing members, and no more than 30. Groups have time limits determined by class, with the least experienced participants given 3 to 5 1/2 minutes, while the most experienced participants having 4 to 7 1/2 minutes. The different classes also have limits enforced regarding performance, equipment, props, and presence on the performance area (Usilton 24). Winter Guard International has programs based not only in the United States but Canada, Belgium, Holland, Germany, England, Ireland, Korea, Japan, and Africa as well (“What is WGI”). Just as marching band color guard, winterguard use rifle, sabres and flags. Winter guard allows for more intricate choreography and gives the performers the opportunity to tell more in depth stories through their choreography and body movements. Differences between color guard performances and and winter guard performances do however exist. One of the differences between the two include the performing platforms. Winter