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)

[citation needed] ...but seriously, could you please back up this claim? I have never heard of a case where a guard was "docked" points due to a lack of conceptual confusion. Let's take West Broward HS for example. For the past two years, they have performed pretty abstract, metaphorical programs. Does anyone know what they're about? ...Anyone? I had to have them both spelled out by insiders. But hey, they've got two medals back to back. The judges must be seeing something they like. Whenever you hear a judge say "I don't understand," they're not referring to concept. They're referring to the effect trying to be expressed. Onyx is obviously depicting aggression, frustration, a lack of cohesion... and this effect is consistent throughout the program and throughout their phrases. It works, and is rewarded.

"We spin 39" King Sabres, 37" Elite Rifles, and 6' high-performance aircraft aluminum flag poles with two metal weight thingies."

I think this prompts the question: what is "vocabulary"? In this case, Onyx has sort of tricked us by not doing what we are used to. We tend to think of equipment vocab as clear, easy to read hand-to-rifle/sabre/flag movements and twirls. We tend to remember equipment moments where multiple members are executing a similar vocabulary in unison. But I don't think it's a debate that Onyx is not executing a full equipment vocabulary and book. It's not very easy to see watching an up-top view on a computer screen, but during the web cast, when the camera zoomed in, you could see these guys spinning... and with skill. And if you pay attention, there are definitely moments where the same visual lines are repeated and nuanced. Your opinions are your own of course, but you can't claim they are stretching rules when they are not. Stand up for your opinions without trying to look for ways to "incriminate" the ensemble. It's unfair.

What a shame that we feel the need to attack others based on what little information we know. Premonition's production (and this is a fact) would have been the same regardless of NEi's influence. The details are irrelevant, but trust me... you would have not have been witnessing a "fun, in your face" production from Premonition this year. The music(!!!!), colors, and feel would have all been identical (without the help of Jill and Robby), and we would all be congratulating Premonition on switching things up and taking a chance. Also, I don't even understand where this "open class" guard idea plays in... Unless my calculations are incorrect, Premonition most recently earned their highest placement in World Class thus far. So... how are they now an open class guard? I find this comment offensive and degrading to these hard-working and dedicated performers.

I apologize on behalf of some of the users of this forum. If you don't have anything nice to say... Anyway, Beatrix absolutely took my breath away! What a wonderful and beautifully designed production. It was not tacky at all and had such a feeling of sincerity and authenticity. I wish this program the best of luck in the future.

Flanagan HS has nice shiny flags. Nease HS has beautifully big, flowery, nice hair. Apopka HS has nice benches. Orlando Visual has super nice mirrors. 8-)

I too think they're being underscored, slightly. I believe they deserve a finals spot (it's going to be a close one), but their weapon book isn't quite there. Regardless, this is definitely one of my favorite programs overall this season!

Why can't a crowd-pleasing show be praised? Don't we buy tickets to be entertained? As for SW, I think Carmel's got this one. Carmel and their stools. Two of my favorite SW shows, Seminole and West Johnston, need some love. I can see these two guards making top 8! Haven't watched enough IW to make any predictions, but I'm loving Zydeco and Alter Ego. Braddock is so close to that top 3 spot. I am loving Keller HS in SA and hoping they take home a shiny medal. :D I'm loving the innovative shows coming out of SO this year... Collins Hill and West Broward in particular.

Zydeco World and Zydeco Open... !!!

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