masterles

Well Jojo, what you are asking to see is just a dance show. Take the floor and plop it in a theater in which it fits and then you also have lighting, flyspace, wings, etc... Imagine what type of dance number that would be. Of course, it would be just that: dance. Take out the weapons of the Northern Lights show and the show would be less than it is now since everything was designed as part of a whole.

I think about the only new innovation guards could bring to the activity would be something new to spin. But that'll never happen likely. I'd say colorguard has hit the wall in its evolution to date. There is always room for creative equipment work and design, but there is really nothing new to do with guards unless some total new element or approach is taken. If every piece of equipment were turned into a pseudo percussion instrument, such as with tiny bells, that would challenge the design of the equipment work to actually add to the music book. I have thought about ways to use magnetics with guard equipment. Some funky stuff could surely come of that. Until they invent levitation devices or rocketbelts, I think guard has explored 99.9% of what can be done with a guard. All we can do now is re-invent the wheel with some added flare.

In the color guard caption alone, each corps gained 2+ points. I believe that is where the big jump overall come from for the corps on finals.

This popped in my head the other night. I've been discussing with my coinstructor for college marching band about revamping our salute. It got me thinking about how the colorguard salute has evolved from military bands to present day. Off the top of my head, a military colorguard salutes by dipping all flags except the National Flag at an angle forward, while rifles would be at port arms and move to present arms. Now, I'm curious how the colorguard salute evolved from that type of colorguard salute. If anyone can fill me in from say, 1950s to present that would be great. I am also curious if guards conduct a marching salute, and if so, what do guards do? What is proper to do and not do in a colorguard salute, marching or retreat? Back to why I thought of this thread is that my college guard during the National Anthem dips the flag and salutes with the left hand. To me, that is saluting two ways at once, with the left hand salute improper. So, I wanna know what others do.

Careful prowling_lynx, start leaking information like that and the Old Schoolers will nab you and force you into the This Is How We Did It Cult. I've heard rumors of one called Sally the Stern that leads them, among others. ^0^ Burn, baby, burn!

As far as winterguard, check out Winterguard International Also check out the local circuit North Star Colorguard Circuit Get hold of the local NSC staff and they might be able to send you a video of a competition or two. As far as starting a Drum Corps, you have found a great resource to help you, but you will find the feasibilty of having a Drum Corps in a High School unlikely to happen. Your first three questions can be answered in the CORPS-FYI heading: What Is Corps Band vs. Corps All I can say is read the forums thoroughly, check out pertinent articles, and correspond with people who are experts in the field you have questions about.

To clarify one point, do most guards spin the same size for rifle and saber?

Hello. If in MN, one could try contacting the North Star Colorguard Circuit. Although its not winter, they certainly could direct your request through the right channels. I'd help, but I'm up in Fargo, ND. North Star Colorguard Circuit Good luck.

I have been wondering what is the optimal size to use for weapons. Is their one size that is used most? Is it easier to learn and use the same size for rifle and sabre? Is vocabulary limited by any certain size? Also, which brand or seller has the best weapons out there?

The words are synonymous so it really shouldn't matter. I don't care personally. I have noticed that "flags are spun" and "batons are twirled." This suggests that the mindset is that guard spins the equipment and batonists twirl. Maybe "spinning" is two-handed maneuvers and "twirling" is one-handed maneuvers. Twirl Dictionary.com Spin Dictionary.com

Do people prefer fiberglass or aluminum poles more?

Thanks. Now I know what you're talking about. Although, I know I've never done those before. Seems an awful lot of work compared to drop spins. Hurray for nowadays! :P

Maybe its because I'm such a youngin, but what exactly is a push spin? Just wondering if I know it by another name. Thanks.

I've only done high school and college marching band. Started a winterguard though, and looking to march senior corps in the coming years.

I voted number three. I feel that equipment work is most important. Why else join a colorguard? Colorguard is an opportunity/activity for a person to spin equipment. Dance performance is offered elsewhere. However, incorporating dance with equipment work is all good as long as equipment work is being done. As for props, floors don't bother me much since they can help focus attention on the guard work if done properly. Props which can be spun or utilized with a lot of variety I am ok with. Backdrops and other props detract far too much from many of the shows I have seen. Used sparingly, props could enhance the show, like a fountain piece as a central marker.