Controversial Shows: Northmont 1997
By Dan Schack My original idea to publish a series of interviews through WGI on iconic controversial shows was spawned through one production alone. This production was one I was introduced to almost immediately into my own experience with the indoor activity. It seems as if watching it was a right of passage for the […]
A Beloved Fan Favorite: Aimachi
By Jenny Lyons To performers standing in the tunnel of the Dayton Arena on WGI finals night, with their bare feet standing on the cool cement, hearts pounding with anticipation within their chest, anxious hands reaching out to a wall lovingly speckled with lipstick, and focused minds imagining what lies beyond the thick black curtain […]
The Trip of a Lifetime
Edinburg North HS Introduces WGI Winds to China By Michael Reed Many people dream of taking a bucket list trip to an exotic, faraway place. Some want to go to a tropical island, or perhaps the castles of Europe or on an African safari. For the students of Edinburg North HS Winds from Texas, their […]
Immersed in Mystique
By Kathryn Hardison They’re gasping; they’re pleading – they need oxygen. Clean air, however, is no longer an option. Because of “the hand of man,” the last of humanity is left to fight for their lives. Music City Mystique’s 2017 production of “The Hand of Man” has brought a dark twist to WGI Percussion World […]
WGI Celebrates Fabulous 40th Anniversary
By Michael Reed Oh what a glorious season it was! WGI’s hallmark 40th anniversary season is now in the books and it was a season full of memories to last a lifetime. A total of 596 entries participated in 20 different classifications across WGI’s three divisions at two weekends of World Championships. Increasing entries mean […]
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
By Jenny Lyons On the eve of WGI prelims, amid the bustle of Championships weekend, members of the color guard activity took pause for a moment to celebrate three prolific creators, the newest inductees into WGI’s hallowed hall of fame: Michael Shapiro, Peggy Twiggs, and Jon Vanderkolff. In introducing Michael Shapiro, Fred Feeney says that […]
Medals May Fade… Friendships Remain
By David Hill To help usher in Winter Guard International’s 40th Anniversary, let’s tell the stories of some of the activity’s first “Super Guards,” each a World Champion: Quasar, Skylarks, Erte, State Street Review, Odyssey, San Jose Raiders, and Emerald Marquis. Who better to remind us all of the impact these units made than the […]
Hall of Fame 2017: Michael Shapiro
By Jenny Lyons What are the elements of a winter guard show that make us, as an audience, remember? We gravitate towards the shows that shock and awe, the ones that show us something we have never seen before, the ones that push the limits of what we thought possible within the arena. We hang […]
WGI 40: Disruptive Design
By David Hill To help usher in Winter Guard International’s 40th Anniversary, let’s tell the stories of some of the activity’s first “Super Guards,” each a World Champion: Quasar, Skylarks, Erte, State Street Review, Odyssey, San Jose Raiders, and Emerald Marquis. Who better to remind us all of the impact these units made than the […]
Ground Breaking. Legendary. Trend Setter.
By David Hill To help usher in Winter Guard International’s 40th Anniversary, let’s tell the stories of some of the activity’s first “Super Guards,” each a World Champion: Quasar, Skylarks, Erte, State Street Review, Odyssey, San Jose Raiders, and Emerald Marquis. Who better to remind us all of the impact these units made than the […]
WGI Mourns the Passing of Shirlee Whitcomb
On May 14, 1977 six people met in San Francisco to create an entity that would unify and transform the color guard activity by creating Winter Guard International, today’s leader in the indoor marching arts. WGI is profoundly sad to announce that one of those founders, Shirlee Whitcomb, passed away yesterday, January 4, 2017, at […]
Feeder Programs – Making Color Guard Great
By Hannah Corson World class color guards don’t become great overnight. Many factors go into making these groups the powerhouses that they are including hours of practice, good work ethic, and passion for the activity. For some, these things start in high school, but for others, the work starts as early as the first grade. […]
WGI 40: Love It, Do It, Believe It
By David Hill To help usher in Winter Guard International’s 40th Anniversary, let’s tell the stories of some of the activity’s first “Super Guards,” each a World Champion: Quasar, Skylarks, Erte, State Street Review, Odyssey, San Jose Raiders, and Emerald Marquis. Who better to remind us all of the impact these units made than the […]
Controversial Shows: Fantasia’s "A Good German"
By Dan Schack Since I became aware of the indoor drumline and color guard activities, I’ve wondered what deems a show “controversial.” At some point throughout my experience marching drum corps and indoor drumline, I realized that the pageantry world is a generally accepting and open-minded place. Some of the most creative, out of the […]
WGI 40: The Beginning
By Jenny Lyons On May 14, 1977 at the Sheraton-Palace Hotel in San Francisco, six people were about to change the face of the color guard activity. These individuals were brought together by the dream of an international color guard organization and the desire to create a national stage upon which the world’s top groups […]
Backstage Pass: Pre-Performance Rituals
By Michael Reed Have you ever wondered what your favorite color guard does before a show to calm the nerves and get focused? Have you ever been within earshot of a warmup area and heard an excited troupe do an enthusiastic chant? Do you know if your favorite group has their own special, unique traditions? […]
Supportive Parents – WGI’s Biggest Fans
by Hannah Corson Those who participate in WGI spend countless hours practicing, traveling, and performing each season. Year after year, these young musicians work diligently to perfect every count of their show. Although it is the performers’ passion, effort, and commitment to the activity that leads to excellence, for some, it is the support of […]
WGI Teachers Prevail After Mass Shooting
By Jenny Lyons Around 2:00 am on Sunday morning, Pulse Night Club of Orlando, Florida became home to the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Out of the once welcoming walls of Pulse have emerged horrifying stories of a night of fun and music shattered by chaos and unthinkable tragedy after a shooter opened fire […]
The Evolution Of Floor Tarp Design
By Jenny Lyons “Over the years we have definitely tried it all: pieces of floors, props, ships, flats, curtains, trees, doors, and I could go on,” says Daniel Walsh, Director of South Gate Winter Programs, of the design elements he has used over the years. This exploration of design surely echoes the sentiments of directors […]
The History of WGI’s All-Male Color Guards
By Jenny Lyons Is it the unique strength that male performers bring to the arena? Is it the uniformity of like bodies moving over the floor? Is it the rock star fan base? What is it that makes an all-male ensemble so compelling to watch? “It’s electric and exhilarating,” says Northern Lights alumnus Pepe Ochoa […]
