One aspect of color guard that I have never really had a chance to participate in - but have always admired - is indoor color guard. My high school sort of had an indoor color guard (which was really just us practicing in the winter, not really putting on a show), and at that point I didn't know that some color guards performed only in the winter, and there was an entire organization devoted to indoor guard.
And then, I found out.
Indoor color guard, for those who have never seen or heard of it, is AMAZING. Guards perform to a musical track (sometimes it's just a song, sometimes it's just music, and sometimes it's music and speaking/monologue) in gymnasiums across the country, performing on a mat that either adds to or explains the theme of their show. Like marhcing band and drum corps, indoor guards have a theme, which is portrayed through their music, costumes, equipment, etc.
Because there is no band involved, it is just the guard on the floor, and there is much more freedom for the guard as far as movement and using the equipment goes. This means much more tossing, exchanges (tossing a flag/rifle/sabre from one person to another), and much more unique movement. Not having any wind indoors to move the equipment also gives guard members much more control over their equipment. In addition, a lot more dance is incorporated into indoor guard (since there is so much more room to move around!)
All indoor color guards compete through WGI, or Winter Guard International. Indoor guards can be affiliated with a high school or college or can also be an independent organization. Guards are divided in competition into Scholastic (those affiliated with a school) and independent (those not affiliated with a school), and from there are divided from least experienced to most experienced into A class, Open class, and World class.
Guards compete in competitions close to where they are located and usually also have a home show - a show located at their school/practice site (or somewhere in the area of where they are located) so that family, friends, former members, and fans can watch their performance at least once. The final competitions of the year, located in Dayton, are towards the end of April (just in time for marching band or drum corps to begin).
While outdoor and indoor color guards use the same equipment and techniques, they are both very different experiences. It is very worth it to see an indoor color guard perform at least once.
The website for WGI contains information about indoor guard - what it is, how it began, etc. as well as information about individual color guards and performances. I highly recommend checking out the site to find out more about indoor color guard. And while you're there, check out a few performances! They are DEFINITELY worth it.
Here are a few indoor color guard websites (of individual guards) that I am interedsted in, feel free to check them out:
Black Watch
Carolina Crown
Phantom Regiment
Santa Clara Vanguard
SOURCES:
Winter Guard International. (2010). Winter guard international: The sport of the arts. Retrieved from www.wgi.org
And then, I found out.
Indoor color guard, for those who have never seen or heard of it, is AMAZING. Guards perform to a musical track (sometimes it's just a song, sometimes it's just music, and sometimes it's music and speaking/monologue) in gymnasiums across the country, performing on a mat that either adds to or explains the theme of their show. Like marhcing band and drum corps, indoor guards have a theme, which is portrayed through their music, costumes, equipment, etc.
Because there is no band involved, it is just the guard on the floor, and there is much more freedom for the guard as far as movement and using the equipment goes. This means much more tossing, exchanges (tossing a flag/rifle/sabre from one person to another), and much more unique movement. Not having any wind indoors to move the equipment also gives guard members much more control over their equipment. In addition, a lot more dance is incorporated into indoor guard (since there is so much more room to move around!)
All indoor color guards compete through WGI, or Winter Guard International. Indoor guards can be affiliated with a high school or college or can also be an independent organization. Guards are divided in competition into Scholastic (those affiliated with a school) and independent (those not affiliated with a school), and from there are divided from least experienced to most experienced into A class, Open class, and World class.
Guards compete in competitions close to where they are located and usually also have a home show - a show located at their school/practice site (or somewhere in the area of where they are located) so that family, friends, former members, and fans can watch their performance at least once. The final competitions of the year, located in Dayton, are towards the end of April (just in time for marching band or drum corps to begin).
While outdoor and indoor color guards use the same equipment and techniques, they are both very different experiences. It is very worth it to see an indoor color guard perform at least once.
The website for WGI contains information about indoor guard - what it is, how it began, etc. as well as information about individual color guards and performances. I highly recommend checking out the site to find out more about indoor color guard. And while you're there, check out a few performances! They are DEFINITELY worth it.
Here are a few indoor color guard websites (of individual guards) that I am interedsted in, feel free to check them out:
Black Watch
Carolina Crown
Phantom Regiment
Santa Clara Vanguard
SOURCES:
Winter Guard International. (2010). Winter guard international: The sport of the arts. Retrieved from www.wgi.org
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