Colorguard

Colorguard is a dance team on campus that performs with marching band. As the name suggests, they add color and movement to the band’s music in field shows through their unique incorporation of props and equipment in their dance routines. Together, they compete and perform at football games, marching band competitions and pep rallies during the fall in the Western Band Association (WBA) circuit.
According to Colorguard co-captain Catherine Nguyen, “Colorguard is definitely [a] sport of the arts. We [perform] many varieties of dance, specifically ballet and modern, along with spinning flags, sabers and rifles.”
After the fall marching season is over, Colorguard competes as Winterguard in the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC) circuit.
“Colorguard is like [the] training season for the [beginners], and Winterguard is where the skills take action,” said Nguyen.
In order to make all of these competitions and performances possible, hard work and dedication is required from each guard member. A typical day at practice can range from three to ten hours, which includes stretching, warming up with the equipment, learning routines and drilling for shows.
“Practices are tough and time consuming, but [they are] the most fun anyone can have. Our instructors can be [strict], but that is what we need for an almost perfect show,” said sophomore member Keila Crook.
Despite the often tedious practices, all of the hours invested pay off when the crowd goes wild during shows and competitions.
“It is really intense, but competitions are amazing. Seeing people [we] have never met clap, yell and enjoy what [we] have worked hard on is very fulfilling,” said Nguyen.
By StaffWriter Ellen Li