Featured Story
Performer’s Perspective
Apr 1, 2009
In appreciation of all the performer's dedication and energy, WGI has recently caught up with several performers to learn more about what they experience and deal with during the season. Dane Chung of Black Gold winter guard recently told WGI what it’s like to be a part of such a competitive activity.
What is your history with the group you are performing with now?
This is my 10th season with Black Gold. I started marching Black Gold in 2000, the "When I was a Boy" year. That show is one of my most memorable years. You could say it was my second year to do color guard. The members and the staff that year were amazing. The best part of that season was at WGI prelims. We were told in warm-up to practice our prop dance work without the props.... confused, we've never practiced that in warm-up, little did we know it was because our floor and props had not arrived to the show site yet!! We started to walk on the floor for prelims (using someone else's props and floor) and then our truck shows up 30 seconds too late. Our time had already started. After all that, we ended 11th place in IA finals. The other years I marched were 2001 "Thinking Outside the Box", 2002 "Everything is Art", 2003 "I Can't Make You Love Me", 2004 "Bach in Black", and then my age-out 2005 "Under the Water". I have had the opportunity to be apart of the staff for the 2006-2008 seasons. And now I am back marching again!
What are some traditions that your group does?
We have a few traditions. The first was started with the Black Gold Drum Corp when they performed the show "Lord of the Rings." They gave out 3 rings a gold, silver, and bronze. Each ring has a meaning; the first stands for opportunity, which we give at the first contest; the second is for friendship, we give that one out at the Dallas Regional; and the third is for love which receive before prelims at WGI Championships.
Another one of our traditions is Black Gold history night. We watch all the video's of Black Gold through the year (starting in 1994).
Our last tradition we do before we walk on to the floor, we chant " who rocks the house! Black Gold rocks the house! and when Black Gold rocks the house! We rock it all the way down!" we also add in little snip-its or sayings from the previous seasons to the end of it. In 2002, a few of us started asking each other "How do you feel?!?", and in return we would say "I feel good oh I feel so good" to help hype us up.. So now before we go on the floor I ask "Hey Black Gold how do you feel!?!" and the guard yells "We feel good oh we feel so good uh".
What do you do outside of the activity?
What do I do outside of color guard??? COLOR GUARD! Well most of my time is associated with color guard. I teach at one of the local high schools. I do a lot of traveling between Texas and Florida to see my family. And I’ve been a bartender at one of the local restaurants for the past 4 years.
How do you balance marching with school, work, family, and friends?
When October comes around every year, my family and non color guard friends know that it is impossible to get a hold of me to do anything. My weekends change from Saturday and Sunday to Tuesday and Wednesday. Black Gold rehearses at the school I teach, so that makes things a little easier. And at my other job, I am thankful they understand that I can't work Friday night through Monday night. My schedule is a pretty easy one; I have learned how to balance it all out.
What are some achievements you've made that you're proud of?
I am proud of who I have become because of color guard. Because I have been doing it for so long, I have learned how to be a responsible person. I still continue to grow in the sport and share what I learn.
What are your plans for the future?
To continue teaching color guard and marching as long as my body will let me.
What has made the 2009 season something different and special?
There are so many great things about this season, when its nice outside the color guard will sit together in a circle and eat our lunch. I get to march with some of the most amazing people. One of my friends from high school, and from 2000-2004 seasons at Black Gold, is a captain with me. Without Elaine, I don't think I would survive rehearsal sometimes. I also am able to share this experience with my BF Jace.
What is your most memorable performance memory from the 2009 season so far?
It would be the Dallas Power Regional. It was our prelims performance; I could feel it going on to the floor. As a whole, we finally felt comfortable. From beginning to end the performance was amazing. Feeling those connections with all the members for the first time this season I knew it was going to not only be my best performance but the guard’s best performance as well. Now finals, I can't say it was better for me. For some reason before the end of our show I decided to put my rifle down and I need it for the end of the show (we used to set them down before we learned the new ending) I realized this after I start dancing away so I had to turn back. Of course not only do I feel out of place, but I look out of place because I have to turn around and go get it. Embarrassing.
What positive lessons have you learned from the activity?
The great thing about this activity is that you are always learning. I don't think I would be where I am today if it wasn't for this activity. I am fortunate to still study under Roman Montoya. He has been teaching me since Jr. High Band. This activity has taught me how to grow up. Most people go through their lives finding that one job that you enjoy waking up early and go to and you don't mind being there for 8-10 hrs. I found that. I have made many friendships from this organization that I will never lose.
View Past Featured Stories>
