Allison A.
Chelesa B.
*Jackie B.
Erica C.
Cadeasha D.
Bethany E.
Hope G.
Anna H.
*Hunter H.
*Ashley K. (captain)
Chelsea O.
*Emma R.
Rebekah S.
Miranda S.
Morgan T.
*Nicole T. (captain)
Kylie T.
*Brooke W.
Anna V.
*denotes weapons
COLOR/WINTER GUARD:
The Bandys guard program is a completely extra-curricular ensemble that performs with and as an extension of the band program. Auditions for the group are held at the beginning of each guard “season”, and membership is determined based on student performance. The ensemble performs as part of the Marching band during the fall semester, and as an independent Winter Guard ensemble at the end of the marching season. The group rehearses after school throughout the year, as scheduled by the band and guard staff. The fall color guard has a class that meets daily, as well as after school rehearsals with the full band. The Winter guard rehearses several times a week, and may rehearse on Saturdays early in the season as the floor show is being prepared.
The guard program is the one part of our program that is more costly than the other ensembles for its members. Since guard uniforms are part of the visual package of the marching and winter guard shows, they are dependent on the design of each year's program. Because of that fact, all parts of the guard uniform will have to be purchased by the student on a seasonal basis, once show design concerns determine the uniform for that season. Much of the equipment bought in the fall is used during the spring semester as well, and much of the uniform purchases during a member's first year (wind suits, summer uniforms, etc.) can be used in consecutive years, so they become a “one time” purchase. Specific information about costs and payment schedules will be announced during summer rehearsals each year, and fundraising opportunities may be available to help defray the cost of uniforms. All guard members will be assigned equipment for each show, and are responsible for proper maintenance of that equipment throughout the semester.
The Winter Guard competes in the Carolina Indoor Performance Association and Winter Guard International, and performs an average of 7-8 times during the spring semester. The group is one of the most accomplished competing groups our program offers, with accomplishments including finishing as the silver medallists in the High School A Intermediate Class in 2006, earning a spot in the finals of the WGI Nashville Regional in 2007, winning the CIPA Circuit Championship and gold medallists in the High School A class for the 2007 season, and is currently the reigning Scholastic 3A gold medalists and Circuit Champions for the CWEA circuit in 2008.
Like the band members, guard members are expected to participate in the ensemble both semesters in order to continue developing the skills and muscle control needed to perform at a high level. In addition, it is our belief that some basic understanding of the fundamentals of music makes each guard member a more complete performer. With that in mind, guard members are expected to enroll in some form of music class (band, chorus or handbells) during the spring semester while the group is an independent ensemble. Conflicts with scheduling should be discussed with a member of the band staff as soon as they arise. Membership in each semester is determined by a separate audition at the beginning of that group's season. All returning m embers must re-audition to secure a spot in the new ensemble, and any members who leave the group for any reason during the season must re-audition to rejoin the group the next year.