Guard workshop updates

A month ago, I posted the new format of our color guard workshop. Today, an update on the workshop after 4 sessions.

We’ve had several new ladies come to our workshop, which is very exciting! We’ll fall somewhere between 12 and 14 members which is normal/large for our program size. What we’ve seen so far is a broad range of competency, but a noticeable dedication to improvement.

That being said, let’s see what has/has not been accomplished from my original plan.

Week One’s goals were as follows:
- Introductions, explanation of color guard, viewing of last year’s show (30 minutes)
- Warm-ups (10 minutes)
- Right shoulder arms, posture, commands, marking time (15 minutes)
- Drop spins – Goal is 8 counts (20 minutes)
- Wrist Extensions (10 minutes) – left and right arms
- Begin teaching routine (heavy dance focus) (30 minutes)

Notes: The only thing we couldn’t accomplish was both arms for the wrist extensions, so we did one.

Week Two’s goals were:
- Warm-ups (10 minutes)
- Review right shoulder, drop spins, marking time, wrist extensions all at varying counts/speeds (30 minutes)
- Double fast – Goal is 8 counts (20 minutes)
- Pull hits – Goal is 8 counts (15 minutes)
- Review dance (15 minutes)
- Finish teaching dance and/or begin flag portion of routine (30 minutes)

Note: Went well. I was able to teach the other arm of wrist extensions.

Week Three‘s goals:
- Warm-ups (10 minutes)
- Review drop spins, wrist extensions, double fast, marking time, pull hits all at varying counts/speeds (45 minutes)
- Marching – Goal is 16 counts forward at right shoulder; MAYBE drop spins (20 minutes)
- Review dance/flag from W1,W2 (20 minutes)
- Begin/continue flag portion of routine (25 minutes)

Notes: We did not do varying speeds of the basics because I felt it was too much. I decided to skip marching all together as they’ll be working that all summer with the band. I did find that because we were not spending as much time on basics as in previous years, the quantity and quality of basics they can do are lower. On the other hand, we are challenging them earlier with the routine and thus giving them a truer look at what they’ll do during the season.

Week four’s goals were
- Warm-ups (10 minutes)
- Review drop spins, wrist extensions, double fast, marking time, pull hits all at varying counts/speeds & marching (45 minutes)
- Jazz running (15)
- Review dance/flag from W1,W2,W3 (20 minutes)
- Continue flag portion of routine (30 minutes)

Notes: Again, I skipped the varying tempos (and jazz running) as I felt we had to spend some more time on technique.

The plus to teaching a routine in conjunction with the fundamentals is that as the members get more comfortable doing the work, they’ll start to perform it. This is good for me to see because as I’ve said before, the workshop gives me a chance to see the skill levels I’ll be writing for in the coming months. Some years I can write difficult work right off the bat, while others I have to keep the work simple and build upon it as the season progresses. We shall see what this season brings.

A workshop wrap-up will follow after our June 1 tryouts… and my wedding on June 4

What’s the format of your workshop? I’d be interested in discussing the pros and cons with other instructors!

Is it that time already?

A couple weeks ago, one of my managers asked me what I do with all my free time once the outdoor guard season is over. I hadn’t thought too much about guard since November, but no kidding, the band director called me the same day pitching ideas for our fall show.

I’m excited for the concept he’s come up with. It’s typical Lenape style with lots of room for fun character moments. Unfortunately, I can’t say what it is until he gets all the copyright stuff in order, but I’ll share as soon as I can. (I know you’re dying to know!)

Knowing the show gets me into visual mode: thinking about uniforms, possible props, things I’d like to do differently this season, etc. I’ll try to ignore it, but I can’t. The excitement of conceptualizing a new show is habit-forming.

Soon enough, it’ll be time for our spring workshop, then summer practices, band camp, and a full-steam ahead season.

WHOOPIE!

Visuals block

I don’t have writer’s block.

I have what I’m coining as visuals block. It’s when you just can’t seem to find the perfect flags or props for your show. I’m also suffering from pressure. Not to toot my own horn, but each year I get praised for my flag and color choices, so I feel pressured to repeat that.

For weeks I have been browsing the internet (or the “series of tubes”) and thumbing through catalogs, but there’s been no luck. I’ve pinpointed one flag I’m “in like” with, but I’m even questioning that one! And being that I can’t stand literal flags — you know the ones I’m talking about (flower flags for a springtime song)– I’m limiting myself.

So today, with my looming deadline of Tuesday to have this all worked out, I’m going to try something new — designing my own flags. I’m going to draw out what I see as a song’s flag, then look through the catalogs and tubes again to see if anything is close to what I want. If not, I’ll simply put my sketches into a more formal spec and send them off to be made. I know it’s not that easy for everyone else, but once I am able to figure out these show flags, I’ll be posting part 2 of my Show Design tips: Choosing the right equipment.

If you haven’t read Part 1: Uniforms – click here.

Finally, some sunshine… and a chance to work sequences

The rain has stopped! It’s been damp for what seems like a week now, hindering my ability to go outside and work some possible sequences for the show. Not sure if anyone else does this, but I have a tendency to visualize work during my daily commute, so having all these ideas in my head, and no break in the clouds to work them out, makes me a little nuts.

The beginning of insanity

Welcome to my new blog!

I figured it would be better to have a blog where I can speak about all things color guard and not subject my friends to it. Let’s face it– once the season starts, I can barely speak about anything else!