PROGRAM BOOKS
2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Join WGI on Wednesday April 20 as we honor three individuals whose efforts have shaped the activity with their contributions and achievements. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Tim Bray, Shane Gwaltney, and Caleb Rothe will take place at the Marriott at 9:00 PM on the evening prior to the start of the 2022 […]
Community Spotlight: Sara Solomonson
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honoring keystone individuals who are educating and inspiring the next generation of WGI. As we embark on our 45th anniversary season, we must acknowledge the importance of all women in the indoor activity and their roles in our success. Sara Solomonson My name is Sara Solomonson, Owner and […]
2022 Emerging Voices Award Recipients Announced
WGI is proud to announce the 2022 winners of the I AM WGI: Emerging Voices Award! James Salmond is a Camden, South Carolina native and color guard instructor at a local area high school. As a fierce advocate for the performing arts, James wishes to extend the activity into low-income areas and afford the opportunity […]
Jeleesa Levy: Claiming Your Space
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honoring keystone individuals who are educating and inspiring the next generation of WGI. As we embark on our 45th anniversary season, we must acknowledge the importance of all women in the indoor activity and their roles in our success. Jeleesa is a designer, choreographer, dance program coordinator, educator, […]
Liz Bannon: Team Culture and Character Education
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honoring keystone individuals who are educating and inspiring the next generation of WGI. As we embark on our 45th anniversary season, we must acknowledge the importance of all women in the indoor activity and their roles in our success. Liz has been involved for over 20 years in […]
The Birth of WGI
By Nebai Chavez This year marks Winter Guard International’s 45th Anniversary, and it seems fitting to recount the tale of its birth. Students of history may know all about the six visionaries who met in San Francisco, how the three regions came together in 1978, and of course, that infamous smoke machine at the first […]
2022 Class of Future Leaders Program Announced
WGI and the WGI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee are excited to announce the 2022 class of the I AM WGI: Future Leaders Program, a mentorship and leadership opportunity for WGI performers across all regions and divisions. Color Guard Thomas Fitzpatrick Fort Mill, South Carolina Erika Plez Dover, DE Erin Whipple Shortsville, NY James […]
Cichele: Putting Your Experience to Work
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honoring keystone individuals who are educating and inspiring the next generation of WGI. As we embark on our 45th anniversary season, we must acknowledge the importance of all women in the indoor activity and their roles in our success. Cichele has been involved in the marching arts […]
William Martin: Diversifying the Student Experience
In honor of Black History Month, WGI is proud to feature strong African-American voices in the WGI community who are making significant contributions both in and out of the indoor marching arts. William Martin has been involved with the performing arts all his life. He started his career in pageantry with The Cavaliers Drum and […]
Rodney Bailey: An Educator’s Perspective
In honor of Black History Month, WGI is proud to feature strong African-American voices in the WGI community who are making significant contributions both in and out of the indoor marching arts. Rodney Bailey is a director, designer, consultant, choreographer, and influential voice in the marching arts activity. Read more below about his perspective on […]
Marlieta Matthews: The Activity That Raised Her
In honor of Black History Month, WGI is proud to feature strong African-American voices in the WGI community who are making significant contributions both in and out of the indoor marching arts. Coming from a family heavily engaged in the marching arts, Marlieta’s involvement in the activity began early in her life. After developing an […]
Andre Williams: What You Have to Offer
In honor of Black History Month, WGI is proud to feature strong African-American voices in the WGI community who are making significant contributions both in and out of the indoor marching arts. Andre Williams is the visual coordinator and creative director of both high school/independent color guard programs as well as his own personal dance […]
Inclusive Costuming Initiative
The WGI Board of Directors; WGI Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; and the WGI Future Leaders Program (FLP) are proud to announce the promotion and education of Inclusive Costuming. As part of this education, WGI is publishing the “Inclusive Costuming Resources” listing—a running catalog of costuming and design companies that provide diverse skin-tone garments for […]
South Shore Drill Team: A history of Diversity
In honor of Black History Month, WGI is proud to feature strong African-American voices in the WGI community who are making significant contributions both in and out of the indoor marching arts. In 1980, Chicago public school teacher Arthur Robertson founded South Shore Drill Team to offer a positive and creative outlet for inner-city youth. […]
Sabine Francois: Being Undeniably You
In honor of Black History Month, WGI is proud to feature strong African-American voices in the WGI community who are making significant contributions both in and out of the indoor marching arts. Sabine Francois is an educator, performer, and choreographer for groups that compete in WGI annually. Below is her account of an incredible moment […]
WGI Classes History: A Breakdown
By Nebai Chavez Competition is in our blood. From a young age, we ask amongst our peers: Who is the tallest? Who is the fastest? Who can jump the highest or farthest? And as we grow, so does our propensity for competition and our desire for accolades; Competitions become more structured and rules more rigid […]
Top 5 Moments of 2021
WGI thanks every member, instructor, volunteer, and participant for believing in the value of the indoor marching arts as we navigated through this year of uncertainty together. In the midst of a global pandemic, and following another canceled World Championships, 2021 turned out to be a year full of incredible opportunity. The top five moments […]
WGI: Making Future Leaders In the Activity
By Christine Ngeo Katzman, Halftime Magazine WGI Future Leaders are making significant impacts in the marching industry. In 2021, the inaugural year of the Future Leaders Program (FLP), WGI selected 12 participants ages 18 and up to participate in an ambassadorship, mentorship, and the pursuit of a passion project to improve WGI and indoor marching […]
inspiring design: How I Produced My Winter Program
By Trudy Horsting This article was inspired by a recent interview with Vincent Thomas “I find inspiration in almost everything. I find it through music that sends a bolt through my spine. I find inspiration in humanity and nature. I think the creators have given us such a platform of inspiration. What we experience, what […]
