Dance group employs costumes, dollhouse theme in competition

The Fresno Christian winter guard finishes their second performance in the San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review (SJVCGPR). The group performed, Feb. 9 in the Granite Ridge gym, showcasing a theatrical routine called “Welcome to the Dollhouse”, featuring hula hoops and rifles. The high school members dressed up in colorful costumes to portray a ‘dollhouse’ setting.

The Dollhouse routine was just one performed in the Regional Bronze Division. The Fresno Christian team competed against 7 other high schools, Sanger High, Hoover High, Sunnyside High, Madera South, Firebaugh High, Roosevelt High, and Chowchilla High, placing 4th in their division. The Sanger Apaches took first in the competition. 

At each show, the winter guard groups are critiqued and given advice on what to change for a better performance. Each time the team performs, they add a little more to the routine, completing it at the end of the season. 

Instrumental music director, Lesley Bannister, anticipated a fine-tuned performance with revisions and additions to make the routine as good as possible. She shares her excitement concerning the eventful night.

“I’m really excited that the students have accomplished what they have and I’m looking forward to watching them learn harder routines and skills,” Bannister said. “We took the critiques that the judges gave us and we were able to implement those revisions and make a few changes and tweaks to our routine. The judges previously said that we needed to be a little more theatrical so we added makeup and costumes to enhance the dramatic element of the performance.”

Selah Draper, ‘22, one of only two eighth-grade performing in the Regional Bronze Division, was proud of the group’s performance. Draper appreciates the challenge the high school standard brings.

“I think we did pretty good after our second performance,” Draper said. “I think we could improve on the timing of each of the parts of the routine and looking up at the judges. It can be hard when you get into the routine and start to look down, but we can definitely improve. My favorite part of performing is getting to dance as part of our routine.”

Sophomore Brittany McCann was proud of the group’s performance, but believes they can work even harder to perform their best.

“I think we did really well as a team,” McCann said. “There was definitely a lot of improvement that I noticed. The audience seemed to love us so I’m just really happy with how we performed. I think for our next performance we could really develop a team bond. Some of us are fragmented or lacking in relationships, so I think we could really be a better team by building each other up.”

The history of color guard originated centuries ago when militaries would carry flags and banners into battles. While color guards no longer march into battle, many countries (such as the United States) still have military color guards that are present during ceremonies or special events.

While Fresno Christian winter guard focuses on theatrical elements, the New York Brigadiers winter guard use their performance to raise awareness about domestic violence.

The Brigadiers raising awareness about domestic violence with their show “From Behind the Wall” #wgiAlbany pic.twitter.com/9cBLUWZDwu

— WGI Color Guard (@WGIcolorguard) February 4, 2018

The winter guard’s next competition is on March 9 at Granite Ridge where they plan to perform more advanced steps and work toward a finished routine by the end of the season. The competition host is yet to be announced. Please return to The Feather Online or its social media outlets for updates.

Slideshow below includes images from winter guard’s recent competition at Granite Ridge, Feb. 9.

[rev_slider alias=”winterguard2018″]

For more winter guard articles, check out BREAKING: Color guard places in first competition, Jan 27. For more articles, read EDITORIAL: Dating builds relationship skills, maturity.

Addison Schultz can be reached via email: Addison Schultz and via twitter @SchultzAddison.