Remembering Stanley Knaub: Part II
This is Part II of a three-part series. To read Part I, click here. By Jenny Lyons Beyond his generosity within the drum corps activity, Stanley became integral in the creation of Winter Guard International. Not only was he among the six original founders—including Don Angelica, Shirlee Whitcomb, Bryan Johnston, Marie Czapinski and Linda Chambers—Stanley […]
Remembering Stanley Knaub: Part I
By Jenny Lyons “The sun used to stream through the old hatch windows in our gym and light the floor. Someone once told me it meant that Stanley was there.” It is rare that an educator’s influence so clearly and widely transcends generations as that of Stanley Knaub’s. One of the most prolific figures in […]
You Could Win!!
Introducing the WGI Fan Club!
Become a Volunteer
Do you want a behind the scenes look at WGI World Championships? Sign up to be a volunteer! Volunteers are essential for providing the experience that members, staff, and fans expect from WGI. The success of each event is only possible with dedicated volunteers, like you! You will have the opportunity to request a job […]
Growing the Local Student: Monarch Independent Percussion
In 2014, Monarch Independent Percussion was a brand new independent marching A group competing in TCGC, the local circuit that encompasses Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. At their first competition, the group was bumped up to Independent Marching Open. In 2015, Monarch made the trek to Dayton, Ohio for their first WGI World Championships. In […]
WGI Adopts Comprehensive Code of Conduct and Reporting Policy
The topic of participant protection in the marching arts has seen a vigorous discourse in recent months. WGI Sport of the Arts is committed to creating a positive, safe, and professional environment for all. With a heightened awareness of our responsibility to the young people WGI serves, the board of directors has instituted new policies […]
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
By Jenny Lyons Every WGI performer knows that after ascending to the height of their performance career on Finals night, there is one more literal mountain to overcome. After the performers have soaked in the last bit of applause, rolled up the floor, collected their props, and swept up the last handful of glitter; they–already […]
Consistent Fan Favorites: Dartmouth High School
By Mai Tran The Fan Favorite award has become a beloved part of WGI finals, allowing both spectators and performers to cast votes for their favorite ensembles via text message. Procuring votes through social media and sharing group numbers are all part of the fun, involving viewers even if they can’t make the trip out […]
Pushed Beyond Expectations
By Kathryn Hardison When Modulation Z was reclassified to Percussion Independent Open near the end of the 2018 season, everyone was shocked. The members and staff were more than a little surprised by the call for the ensemble — which was made entirely of high school students — to compete among many college-aged performers. But […]
The Little Guard That Could
By Michael Boo Southeast Visual Ensemble is a relatively small Independent Class A color guard from a rural area just south of Jacksonville, Alabama, an area sporting few scholastic color guard programs. Some members typically drive over 100 miles one-way to get to weekend rehearsals. Through grit and determination, the guard has been able to […]
Like Mother, Like Daughter
By Michael Reed When Suzie Cambron was a clarinetist in the W.A. Berry High School in Hoover, Alabama in the early 1980s, little did she know years later her path would cross again with that of Band Director Steve Simpson, and she would never have imagined one day he would become a valuable influence for […]
A True Underdog Story: Azle High School Winds
By Caroline Meister Azle High School’s motto is: “achieving higher standards.” In their rookie 2018 season, Azle High School Winds won the Scholastic Open class with a score of 94.88, a solid three points ahead of runner-up Mill Creek High School. Needless to say, the group upholds the motto. Azle High School Winds originated in […]
Bluecoats Indoor Brings Sonic Dimension to Performances
Formed in 1966, the Canton, Ohio American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps partnered with the Police Boys Club to start up a new unit. The name “Bluecoats” was born in tribute to the police department’s retired officers as a nod to the designation as a program of the Police Boys Club. Since those humble beginnings, […]
WGI Announces Inaugural Costa Rica Event
WGI Sport of the Arts, the world’s leader in producing indoor marching arts events for color guard, percussion ensembles, and winds groups, today announced the first-ever WGI event in Central America. WGI Costa Rica will take place on Sunday, September 30, at the Olympic Village Desamparados in San Jose, Costa Rica in cooperation with Marching […]
Decade of competition leads to OC Indoor revival
By Kathryn Hardison They say change is a good thing, and that may be true, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. OC Indoor faced hardships this year that pushed the performers to work harder than they ever had before. For this Portland, Oregon-based group, change came just in time for its 10th anniversary of […]
The Standard Definition: Marching Arts
By Caroline Meister According to dicitionary.com, an athlete is a person trained or gifted in exercises involving physical agility and an artist is someone who produces works in any of the arts. When I searched marching arts in the search bar, nothing appeared. There’s no standard definition for the marching arts. That led me to […]
Recap of 2018 World Championships
We had an awesome 2018 WGI World Championships! With a record number of competing units, it was an exciting couple of weeks in Dayton. Take a look at the Finals recaps below to get a peek at what you missed. Color Guard World Championships Finals Scholastic A Independent A Scholastic Open Independent Open Scholastic World […]
Moving with Mama Mia
By Michael Reed On the same floor where guards performed and confetti cannons shot off after the World Class Finale hours before, approximately 500 eager students got up to attend a Master Class with world-renowned choreographer Mia Michaels. After three days of performances and a late night, it would be easy to excuse the young […]
WGI Signs Events in Asia
WGI Sport of the Arts, the world’s leader in producing indoor marching events, today announced a strategic partnership with the Asian Marching Band Confederation. A ceremony signifying the relationship took place at the University of Dayton Arena during the WGI Percussion and Winds World Championships happening this weekend. Also known as “the Marching Arts Power […]
