News Details
Focus On: Scott Chandler
May 22, 2007
WGI recently had the opportunity to speak with Hall of Fame member Scott Chandler. He gave us some insight on his accomplishments, experiences, thoughts, and predictions about color guard, as well as gave us the scoop on what inspires this multi-championship winning designer.
Please tell us a little bit about your history.
I’m originally from Rome, Georgia. I attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama on a theatre scholarship. Northern California has been my home since 1990 when I was hired to work for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. Mark Metzger (James Logan, San Jose Raiders) and I show and breed Boston Terriers in Walnut Creek, Ca. dgbostons.com
How did you first become interested in color guard?
In high school, I was the kid hanging out with the girls in the guard learning the “Queen Anne salute”.
When was the first WGI you saw?
I was at the very first WGI in 1978. Everything about that first meeting of so many groups felt fresh and new. The guards were incredibly distinctive, each with their own design approach and performance priorities that produced a variety of unforgettable and highly original programs. I was a huge fanatic, watching every single performance and even taking notes in the program.
What is your marching history?
Southern Lancers, Chapter V, State Street Review, Madison Scouts
What is your fondest memory as a performer?
I performed in State Street with Marlieta Matthews Beckman (Center Grove, Bluecoats). We were intensely focused on the entire experience. Everything was an adventure. My fondest memory is probably sitting with Marlieta on the way to shows, holding hands and barely speaking from the nerves. Then we’d exit the bus as if we had no nerves whatsoever (“act like you know”) and be greeted by younger members from other guards making us feel so great and ready to perform. There really would often be a group of people waiting for us when we got off the bus. It was like star treatment and so much fun. Fans of State Street were the best!
Where do you teach currently, and what are some highlights of your teaching career?
After 9 years of designing and teaching at James Logan I decided to take a break and I currently work as a consultant/choreographer, most recently for the Northern Lights (2006) and Fantasia (2006-07). I design costumes for guard /percussion through the Chandler Collection at FJM. Inc. and I do a bit of judging locally for winter guard. I travel often to Japan to work with the SOKA Renaissance Vanguard and I work as program coordinator/choreographer for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.
As far as teaching highlights?
Teaching with Tam Easterwood at State Street and the Spirit of Atlanta was beyond special. Working for Sal Salas and Mickey Kelly was like having a master class at every rehearsal. Stanley Knaub was everything the word “dance” could embody. Anytime I’ve choreographed for the genius types……….Jay Murphy, Karl Lowe and Jeff Namian………..It’s a highlight to participate in the process that each one of those designers so uniquely offers to the activity.
What is your fondest memory as an instructor?
It’s wonderful to watch performers communicate with an audience and it’s amazing teaching extraordinary talent. I remember improvising rifle work in front of St Ann’s, turning around and discovering that they had totally kept pace with me the entire time. They had amazing talent and training!
The reaction to James Logan by the audience and their fellow competitors in 2001 was extremely emotional for me.
When you choreograph for the same performers for a time, you start to gain an artistic knowledge of each other that allows the creative process to go beyond the basic teaching of moves and counts. Blue Devils had it. Logan had it. They elevated the process. They understood the “in between” of the counts and that’s a rare thing for sure. At that point it becomes a collaboration of artistic energy.
How long have you been involved with WGI? Have you held or do you hold any administrative/board positions?
I’ve been involved in WGI since 1979 as a participant, instructor/designer and clinician. I have served on the Board of Directors as well as the Task Force and Steering Committee. Jeff Namian and I even designed the Championship Program a few times. It has been an honor to work in so many aspects of WGI. I’ve seen a lot of guards come and go, I’ve seen judges come and go, lots of trends, controversy and all kinds of excitement. I’m proud to say I’m still around and still working.
What life skills are learned through winter pageantry activities?
Confidence and communication! It’s as simple as that-you learn how to communicate a thought and where to find the confidence to deliver that thought.
What outside motivation inspires you as a designer?
Art, music, fashion, cinema, literature, history, dance, architecture, industrial design and theatre can all contribute and inspire. Concepts can be explorations of a variety of influences and often this is a highly enjoyable part of the discovery process. Finding inspiration from a multitude of sources helps you explain your ideas and, when you find the right “fit”, offers depth to the aesthetic of any concept.
Where do you see the activity going in the next couple of years, or further in the future?
I don’t know if I could say where the activity is going but I would encourage designers and choreographers to keep searching for their own voice. You can’t simply emulate what you enjoy or what you think will competitively succeed. Inspiration is one thing and duplication is quite another. Develop a unique voice and continue expanding and broadening the possibilities of that voice. Once you are comfortable within your own discovery zone then you can begin to develop a competitive strategy that will allow you to experience the activity in its’ entirety. Coaching competitors is a highly fulfilling and important aspect of what we do. Sometimes “competition” is given a bad connotation but to respect your competitors and at the same time be a strong competitor yourself is a valuable experience. I’ve always said “Winning isn’t everything but I didn’t come here to lose”.
What 15 world class shows between 1978 and 2003 that you would add to a WGI ON DEMAND DVD?
1978 Seattle Imperials -
1979 Quasar – Come Sail Away
1980 Skylarks – In The Mood
1982 St Joe’s Grenadiers – One More Time
1986 Odyssey – West Side Story
1987 Odyssey – Carousel of Fools
1989 Tate Chaparrals – The Science of Modern Motion
1989 State Street Review - Salsa
1989 Blessed Sacrament – If You Could Read My Mind
1993 San Jose Raiders - Bolero
1996 Blue Devils - Summertimez
1996 Bishop Kearney – Jackson Pollack
1996 Center Grove HS - New Era Dance
2001 James Logan – Immortal Captive
2002 Fantasia – Images of India
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