I read a letter sent to the parents and members of the color guard of the
Round Rock High School program in Texas. This is one of the (several) very
strong competitive marching bands in the state.
The director was letting the color guard students and parents know that AFTER the upcoming indoor winter guard season they will be changing the color guard to a "dance company" that will perform with the marching band...NO COLOR GUARD. No flags, rifle, or sabers.
The letter stated they were making the change is was determined "after reviewing
what our marching band competitors are doing and considering the direction the
activity at the high school level is going."
If this becomes the norm in Texas it will eventually become the norm in other states.
We have all seen how important dance/choreography has become in DCI. Will we
soon be seeing the elimination of "color guards" in the activity? If the high schools
don't provide the training/instruction it will certainly have an impact on drum corps.