guard_for_life

I would agree with that! I was with State Street then, but fell in love with that show!!! It's on my On-Demand video. I ran into some folks from Sac at Spinfest this summer, and told them how much I loved that show. Go figure, one of the girls I met was IN that show!

That's really sad, and tough to deal with as the director. Have they been doing well all along this season? And this was just a bad run? It doesn't excuse the behavior, but it does explain it. I've always used these as teachable moments. While the kids may have known what the right way to behave was - they may not have realized their behaviors were so obvious, or they may not have beeen able to control them. disappointment is always hard, but it's a life lesson they need to learn. My first reaction would be to talk through the show with them, what went well and what needed work. And what will be improved upon next season. And then include their behavior as part of the 'things we need to work on'. I always talk with my kids about the reputation of the guard and what we want people to think about us. And the fact that most impressions are when we are off the floor rather than on. Do we help other guards out, do we cheer for everyone or talk about them? Those kinds of things. And then I talk about how that reputation can affect our placements. Wrap it all into one. While it would be a time you want to yell loudly - I think you need to focus on this as another area for growth and development. They are kids, after all. And I'm finding that more and more parents AREN'T teaching these kinds of life lessons, making it tougher on us as instructors.

You nailed that one! They said they gained a whole new respect for me during the process. But it didn't help much when I was still the only one there running practice and trying to figure out how to manage three sections in one two hour block of rehearsal.

I agree with what almost everyone has said. You don't get rich teaching high school guard - at least not most of us. My only caution would be this. I have two past grads who wanted to volunteer to tech for me. It was great to have them around, but then their committment waned. So I ended up on my own, when I thought I would have help. As the lead instructor, I'd tell you to make sure you commit fully, even if you aren't getting paid. People make plans based on committments.

If someone has the answer to this, I would also like to know. I'd like to paint flags for the fall as well!

back out there!

I can't find them there anymore.

I usually write about 2/3 before we get the drill. It's only out of necessity because we get the drill so late. If we waited, we'd never finish the show before the season was over. I write things that match the musical phrasing, and then try to make sure it's flexible. Doesn't mean that some things don't need to change, but then we just create a variation of what was already there to adjust to what they need. It's not the most efficient way to do it (or my preference) - but it works for me in a pinch.

Was the judging panel the same tonight as last night?

I give, how many????

Wow, Cadets handily won this one. Would have loved to see SCV higher! Good for Scouts - at least they FINALLY broke 70.

Call him and tell him there are hundreds of anxious fans waiting to hear!

Guilty on that count!!!!!!

The problem with one person having so much influence, IMHO, is that everyone is starting to look the same, with only color differences. While I like the sleek designs, I don't like that they all look so much the same.

OK, even if it is true, did you have to say it???? :) j/k