The Save Mart Center hosted the Winter Guard International (WGI) Western Color Guard Championship March 21-22 with more than 60 competing high school and junior college winter guards from California and neighboring states.
First-time participants found the scale of an indoor arena and the championship to be completely exhilarating and intimidating, all the while welcoming them to a higher level of performing arts.
“It’s definitely scary; it’s definitely tough, but it’s fun. I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” said Stephanie Ann Patterson, a performer from Urban Expressions, a color guard group from Salt Lake City, Utah.
More of a show rather than a competition, Urban Expressions and other teams cheered and supported each other.
“The kids get excited not only about their performance and sharing their talents, and what they’ve worked on all year, but they get to then enjoy seeing what everybody else is doing too,” said Susan M. Raymond, Director of Urban Expressions.
Working on ever-changing productions since the start of the winter season in September, groups selected their own pre-recorded music, original costumes and hand-built props to fit a desired theme. From classical to hip-hop there were multiple dance genres displayed during the performances.
“We’re just putting a reminder out there to how social media has made a big impact, and how postcards have been disappearing now,” said Eleda Schmidt, a performer from Damonte Ranch High School. Damonte Ranch’s theme “Wish You Were Here” highlighted social trends of the current age and the importance of remembering what it means to stay connected with others through hand-written letters and postcards.
Returning competitors from Pasadena City College’s Ayanna Winter Guard chose “The Tale of Countess Bathory” — a brooding, gothic tale based off historical events associated with inspiring vampire folklore.
“When they’re performing they use their facial expressions and their body language to portray a darker kind of theme,” said Deborah Seeley, professor at Pasadena City College.
“The performers have to play a character, the whole time they’re manipulating the equipment and dancing, and that’s how we get the ‘whole show’ production,” said Ayana director Enrique Miramontes.
Unlike traditional performances for color guard, which accompany the marching band during other sports, winter guard evolved as an independent event, granting an opportunity for dancers to express their creative drives through complex and stylish routines.
The criteria for scoring is based on three elements: movement, equipment and general effect. Utilizing special equipment such as flags, rifles and sabers, winter guard is considered the requires both athleticism and grace.
Saturday was the Championship’s preliminary rounds finishing around 8 p.m., with Finals concluding Sunday at 4:30 p.m.. The winter guard season continues from April to September when the World Championship is scheduled to take place in Dayton, Ohio.