skies

Could someone explain how these units are achieving high ensemble scores if these types of programs are winning?

Before West Broward opened, Cypress Bay was literally full to capacity and students were being sent to the most random of neighboring public schools...

Let me put it this way... Beatrix 2011 was an absolutely beautiful and tasteful program that was explicitly about a historical catastrophe. And I typically don't even like shows that are so literal... but they pulled it off so well because they didn't try and turn a serious subject matter into an abstraction. Zydeco... 2009, was it? did a show about 9/11. I didn't really care for it, but it was well designed. It didn't make me roll my eyes. It was "classy" and considered. West Broward... I don't know. Who are the performers? What are they representing? What is the significance of the colors, the motifs? It's confusing as a result of "9/11" being in the title of the program. I wish I could've captured the confusion in the audience's eyes when the speaker announced that. On the other hand... great spinners. Great performers. There were definitely some stellar moments and well-executed phrases. Just wish they would have kept their rhythm.

Yeah, sounds like an insider. But they can hype up Braddock because it's true -- they're freakin' awesome. This show is tacky and a poor decision for their world class debut. The soundtrack gives me a headache and the production is above the performer's maturity level. It's unlikely it will make top 10. This is probably a show that will go down in WGI history. Flanagan is a definite gold medal contender. Absolutely. Cypress Bay is not messing around this year. I see them going very far. Such a beautifully designed and thought-out show.

Thank you for doing this, and for so many years. You are the unsung hero of the color guard world.

I definitely agree with the consensus that this program should've been rewarded more. I think one factor to consider (even though arguments can be made for either side) is the fact that they are new to SW. The only thing that I felt was a "weakness" was that at times the choreography was a little too "and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and..." if you know what I mean.

A lot of people use this dude: http://bradkerrgreen.com/winter-guard-soundtracks

Right; because they are assisting a guard with a different name means nothing.

Sorry if I'm taking you too seriously, but that's a silly thing to argue. What makes a color guard the "best"? Their talent? Skill? Passion? If anything, we should be discussing the designers and choreographers who instruct these individuals on what to do. And comparing the two activities, even with all their overlaps, is apples to oranges.

There are only four elite events, and from the looks of it they are targeting the most logical areas.

I'd have to disagree... I think instructors should leave that stuff to those who know what they're doing. They should have their soundtrack "professionally" finished by the time they are ready to begin show design so they can begin design around a logical, well-edited soundtrack.

So happy to see a comment hinting at the poor soundtrack design I've heard lately. Nothing kills a program more than poorly cut and arranged music!

I propose all World Class guards be required to clock in a full 2 minutes of fire and/or live animal usage.

Here's a little life hack: Seek out a local screenprinter, especially one that does some work with costuming. They may not have experience printing flag silks, but explain to them the dimensions, the materials, and that you need a slot for a pole, and they would more than likely glad to do it for $20 to $30 a piece. Googling "digital flag silks" will of course give you the big companies with ridiculous rates. Silkscreening on china silk isn't a big deal and if you pay more than $45 a piece, you're getting ripped off (assuming costs for artwork is not considered).

No Flanagan love? It was refreshing to be able to comprehend and enjoy a light-hearted show that didn't have narration yelling at me the entire time... (this is not a crack at previous Flanagan programs, but rather at this new trend where narration drowns out the soundtrack)