To the 9's:

A salute to historic performances from 1979,89,
and 99 on the eve of WGI'09

I needed some color guard, as the song in "Mame" urges: "NOW." So on the eve of this year's "now season," I decided to meander through archival performances from the three nine years -- 78,89, and 99 -- for three sets of nine units and shows that stand the test of time. My time. At the end, we'll welcome WGI'09 and this weekend's first shows.

Today: 27-19; tomorrow: 18-10; and then on Friday, 9-1, or the best of the 9's. Only the next three months will tell which 2009 shows will make this cut. (Descriptions of programs covered on Field&Floor are in quotation marks.)

27. Chapter V, 1979, Scherazade
Sue me. Alabama's finest independent guard to date, in finals.

26. North Penn Visual Ensemble, 1989
Oh the general effect, the over-the-top general effect, the arena-rattling general effect!

25. James Logan High School, 1999, Radio
"An unparalleled accomplishment in performance; credit the young people."

24. Bishop Kearney High School, 1989, Autumn Leaves
As precursor to a championship history, this is one solid thematic presentation. Stands the test of time. Watch it ... again! You'll agree.

23. St. Patrick's Shamrocks and State Street Review, 1979, Hello Dolly and The Wiz respectively
Yessiree ... Broadway musicals used to be commonly-used production vehicles. Here's two good reasons why.

22. Infiniti, 1999, Poetic Justice
"Infiniti brings so much to color guard:beauty, class, and maturity. The unit melded unlikely worlds via sound and theme. There is a dignity that enfolds Infiniti that is wonderfully offset by its wry and knowing irony. The combination proves successful, very successful."

21. Crestview High School, 1989, Fun House
When you introduce anyone to color guard you cue up this show, admit it! And you still laugh, and swallow back tears. Newbies who don't; they just don't get it.

20. Diamond Bar High School, 1999, American Salute
"Besides being so talented, so well trained, and so unexpected, this unit single-handedly jump-started an otherwise over-blown and over-wrought division. A patriotic salute!"

19. Guardsmen, 1979, Procession of the Nobles
Soldiers, nobles; whatever the name, the Guardsmen became them, back in the formative years.