The Fair Grove High School Color Guard started a new year with their new showcase, “Rocking Through the Classics,” with the team winning best color guard at their first competition at Carl Junction 9/20.
Color Guard is led by the Middle School Music teacher and High School Choir director, Audra Harmon. Harmon stated, “I have been working with the color guard for the last eight years. I originally started working with them because they needed a sponsor … I learned quickly that I really enjoyed working with them.”
Harmon described color guard as, “A group within the marching band that helps to visually represent the music. They can also perform on their own, but typically work as part of the marching band.” Harmon added, “They use a mixture of choreography, dance, and equipment to create a visual representation of the music being performed. When done well, the movements of the color guard compliment the band’s movements as well as the music.”
Color Guard started their preparation for the showcase in June. Their first step was figuring out what equipment they are going to use and what overall effect they were going for. In July they had a choreography camp. Harmon said, “Celeste, our choreographer, came in and taught the movements that she had written.” Then lastly to prepare, they attended band camp working on their performance along with the Fair Grove Marching Band.
Harmon mentioned that their schedule during the season entails early morning rehearsals going from 6:45 to 8:49 until the end of season, taking part in this with the marching band.
The captains of the color guard are Lacie Workman (10) and Maddison Crews (11). The captains run practices and warm ups and keep the team organized. They take extra steps like learning extra choreography to help their team, and cleaning the guard room.
Crews commented, “For achieving the captain role, I think it is important to show leadership skills, dedication, and a commitment to my team. It’s rewarding to be able to help my team and watch them grow.”
Workman stated her goals for the year, “My goal for the whole guard is to bring lots of ‘Best Guard’ caption awards back to our school.” Harmon added her goals for the year are to apply feedback accordingly and to not get that same feedback again.
