Northeast Independent is Runner-Up for the second time
One-hundred and seven years ago, when German composer Gustav Mahler wrote Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor, the piece served listeners as a respite, a time to reflect and relax after the emotional upheaval of the remainder of the symphony.
Sixty-nine years later, when director Luchino Visconti chose the piece to provide the musical theme for the cinematic masterpiece "Death in Venice," it seemed as if the music was written with this film in mind. Reviewer Dub Taylor noted: "Through beautiful images and music, this film evokes a bygone era and a pace of living we crave in our world of mass media and compression of time. ‘Death in Venice’ returns us to that simpler world, and way of life, most eloquently."
Forty years after the film's release, when Avon High School chose the music to underscore "Release," the result, as in the film and the original composition, was of startling beauty and the aesthetic ... of the color guard idiom.
Two years ago, when the Midwest school questioned the future of the activity, it did so with a landmark performance that garnered the silver medal as well as top honors here at Field&Floor. With "Release," the question is answered, the statement is complete, period ... no, exclamation point: a single, superlative exclamation point.
Rarely, over the course of history, do connections and intent so interweave as has this plaintive, yet soaring melody, with the classic tension/release of the book of a color guard presentation. When it is realized in ways that strip away idiomatic artifice to reveal a respite, an aesthetic, indeed an "answer," then all one need do is enjoy the true happiness that ensues.
Decades from now, when the book of Avon High School color guard is laid open, "Release" will be seen as a bookend of achievement that is seldom achieved. '09 Quintessential Color Guard Inductee
Runner-Up: NORTHEAST INDEPENDENT QGuard
Once I fell for Florida's Northeast Independent, I have proclaimed appreciation for the guard's economy: economy of design, of "trickery," and of effort towards effect.
It has been no better shown than this year. You see, what Academy Award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler did for "dust," in the 1976 "Bound for Glory," Northeast Independent did for rain in this year's "The Rain before Dawn."
As a way to offer sufficient parallel, hear the words of New Yorkermovie critic Pauline Kael about the film’s look, and then apply them to Field&Floor Runner-Up Northeast Independent. There is "startling graphic vitality in his images, yet they are toned and sensitive. From shot to shot he achieves a consistency of light and texture -- a documentary lyricism. It's so beautiful; you can get a high from the (dust)." Or in this case, from the effects of a dawn shower, in the year's most evocative flag sequence.
In a year of visual “atmospherics,” this two-time Field&Floor Runner-Up and three time Final Four finisher reigned.
FINAL FOUR
AIMACHI
The first coffee table book image of Aimachi told the tale; the first note of music confirmed it: “Beloved” would be color guard’s first Caldecot Medalist. The Rudolph Caldecot Medal has been awarded since the late 1930s, and recognizes illustrators like Maurice Sendak for “Where the Wild Things Are,” and Chris Van Allsburg for “Jumanji” and “The Polar Express,” for distinguished children’s picture books.
Aimachi’s expansive, yet intricately visioned and detailed production immediately redefined dramaturgy in color guard, much like a memorable illustrated children’s book. The fantasy tale of brothers, their jealousies, and their ultimate love of each other, played out on a densely rich canvas that was at once both opulent and human.
That the legend’s narrative was realized as competitive proficiency in twirling -- one a rifle, the other a baton -- was storytelling and performance genius. In the end, “Beloved” was as much a color guard saga of East-meets-West, as it was an illustrated parable for the ages.
SANTA CLARA VANGUARD
Once again at the vanguard of pageantry, Santa Clara’s color guard is 2009’s “kiss” de resistance. Part dance piece, part color guard, this show was at the cutting edge of reality. Eliminate nothing.
White hot emotion simmered from the couples who performed as if they were demanding each other to "kiss me like you kissed me when it meant something!"
It meant a lot. Pages turned, paradigms shifted, and the activity will likely be changed for it.
Interestingly, “The Kiss” was something of a sequel to last year’s equally compelling “Breathe,” only turned emotionally inside-out. Lust beget flirtation, attraction, and melding; but circumstance and reality prevailed.
Yeah, yeah, Mary Murphy would scream, but for once, even her arena-sized glee was muffled by that of Vanguard fans in UD Arena. We all thought Santa Clara could dance!
THE ELITE EIGHT
Blessed Sacrament QGuard
Linkages, like the interlacing lines of the Celtic Knot that stand for "no beginning, no ending, the continuity of everlasting love and binding together or intertwining of souls or spirits," were the inspiration for Blessed Sacrament’s 30th consecutive finalist run.
“Love, Trust, Commitment” was a recitative by the activity’s longest-running unit, and featured the year’s most compelling sound construction. Equal parts Laurie Anderson, Stephen Sondheim, and Roberta Flack offered questioning, insistent, and reflective voices in the “crowded room” of people who all pretty much arrived “at the same time.”
It was that feeling of crowdedness, of claustrophobia, that compelled. “Bobby’s” mixed with bodies and iconic faces on the interwoven floor motif, as everyone pondered, once again, “What was behind that curtain?”
Thirty years of landmark color guard is the easy answer. An eternity, really; the eternity of life, of love, trust, and commitment.
Braddock Independent: ’09 Quintessential Guard Inductee
Iconoclasts; Braddock Independent has always been a color guard image breaker. “We Do It to Ourselves” cemented the role and moved the needle.
It was as if the show started out fairly boilerplate in approach, but then the designers, instructors and performers broke the plate and ended up with a potboiler of a show. Opening movement became riveting rolling, for example.
There was architecture to the set pieces that built great appeal into the performance, and when the guard let go and let themselves be Braddock that appeal became peals of applause and appreciation.
In the midst of its competitive performance “neighborhood,” Braddock busted loose as the iconoclasts everyone loves.
Kokomo High School
Good color guard is good color guard, no matter classification. But it is worthy of note that this fine Indiana high school guard is the highest ranked unit of its class in the history of Field&Floor.
With good reason. A discernable base of trained excellence in both color guard and dance, paralleled with an artistic vision over a Vivaldi aria, gave the young performers a floor of opportunity on which to excel, to perform, to achieve, and ultimately, to delight.
In its way, this was one of the biggest payoffs of the color guard season: for performers and for viewers alike.
Opus 10
Opus 10: a dance troupe. Color guard equipment as extension of arms, hands, and legs was the edge that lifted these Bach variations into the Elite Eight.
The harangue over dance in color guard should be moot at this point, but until everyone catches up with all idioms -- like this splendid compendium -- the end result from most units will likely be warmed over milquetoast.
A decided light touch was applied to the classic material, but the smooth, seemingly effortless posture and positioning in performance made this work a magnum opus.
SWEET 16
Capella
There is a show every year that takes me mentally somewhere I’ve never been. Tennessee’s Capella took me just beneath the surface of a shallow pool, as I joined its school of koi fish for a swim.
Intoxicating in its undulating effects of current, ripples, waves, and undertow, the guard also intrigued with its saber tosses; you could imagine bubbling air pockets breaking the water’s surface.
Evocative in construction, transformative in execution, Capella did not play coy with these “lovely” Oriental carp.
Carmel High School
Soft and pretty, dialed down several notches, only begins to describe “Good Luck,” this year’s most reassuring program from the next great scholastic guard.
To characterize this program as contemplation on “Danny Boy” is too strong. No, no: the Irish luck here was far gentler. There was a lyric calm, a quiet, monastic, chant-like feel to the soundtrack, which lent an airless quality to the sumptuous, sublime guard work. Even dropped pennies clanged.
But as luck would have it, the Celtic triad prevailed: spirit, mind, and body.
Corona
If word is true, then Los Angeles’ Corona has left the color guard stage at its most leading edge best.
Here’s a unit that is anchored in the activity’s history, but that has innovated and left its own mark along the way. That it would choose its final year to lift the artistic and agility bar this high: toast to you!
Connecting its vast dance repertoire with dizzying acts of color guard acrobatics held audiences rapt with giddy adoration.
As the years unfold, I will drink filmed cases of “Corona.”
Flanagan High School: ’09 Quintessential Guard Inductee
“I’m feeling lucky.” When you are searching for the activity’s GOOGLE guard, there is never anything random about this Pembroke Pines, Florida unit. They hit the “lucky” performance button every time.
Honoring the Icelandic musical group that has provided much of the guard’s audio success, Flanagan iced the continent with its trademark individual talent, ensemble intensity, and nirvana-inducing set pieces.
That’s about as “Hopelandic” as a guard can be.
Marian Catholic High School: ’09 Quintessential Guard Inductee
Over the years, there has been spectacular reason to enjoy this venerable Chicago Heights high school color guard. Always up to the task of mounting massive productions on gymnasium floors, Marian Catholic has at turns amazed, amused, and astounded.
But it was this year that everything aligned for this year’s Scholastic Open champion. You see, whereas elephantine effect has typically led the way, designers flipped formula and had the performers dazzle throughout “Fallen,” before bringing on the Andrew Lloyd Webber theatrics.
And dazzle they did, with the strongest equipment and movement books in years. The final performer to earn her wings was satisfying enough, but when the skies opened and the gates rolled away, the “Ah” of spectacle rose from the crowd and to its feet. We’d fallen.
Rhapsody Winterguard
Actualizing the phrase “You complete me,” Seattle’s Rhapsody Winterguard lifted “Soul Mates” into the realm of “pairs” performance.
The stunning formality of the production -- elegant light costuming on liquid-dark floor -- was punctuated by movement and equipment books that maximized mirror image effects.
But it was the sustained pairs lift and ensuing flag exchange sequence that elevated this show to unforgettable.
Wind
Where’d this guard blow in from? Benson, North Carolina’s “Street Light People” were a dozen guardophiles whose performance seemed to be buoyed by gusts of air.
Exhibiting calm confidence and poise, the unit laid down Journey’s “Small Town Girl” as metaphor for the lasting effects of color guard. There was a decided wind beneath their wings.
Zydeco
The same sense of progression that unfolds over “An Evening’s Stillness,” developed through Zydeco’s breakout performance.
Measured control of the sort displayed in this atmospheric and symphonic tone poem can only be achieved with the highest level of talent and training. And that is precisely what was as clear as a lightning strike about the Dayton, Ohio guard this year.
TOP 32
Centerville High School
There was delicious, revengeful joy in this dirge of a show from long-time Ohio competitor Centerville. The poison pen of Poe has never read so fatal, matching the deadly performance of the high school, bite for toxic bite.
First Flight
Slouching straight out of an Urban Outfitters catalog onto the year’s most clever props -- subway seats -- Cary, North Carolina’s First Flight then parlayed the year’s biggest song, “Hometown,” into a show that embodied the performers: “Generation Y.”
Francis Howell North High School
Redolent of melancholia, “As She Waits” was an evolutionary study by the Missouri guard. From the opening mysterious woman in the window, and her languid view of the world, the unexpected show coursed to a crashing-around-us-all finale … as she waited.
Interplay: ’09 Quintessential Guard Inductee
“Happy WGI!” was gladly replaced with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” thanks to the overtly clever lyric re-write and masterful technical recording of the holiday classic by the Grand Rapids, Michigan guard.
I marveled at the guard’s resemblance to 1960’s television dance troupes last year; I marveled at the sheer joy in performance this year. Especially that of the good-sport woman who turned the all-flag finale into her own personal swing flag sequence when her pole broke with less than a minute left.
But hey, as the song says: “When you spin with your friends /And you'll always have them Through the laughter and tears! / It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
The activity’s new anthem.
James Logan High School QGuard
Managing expectation can undermine even the most talented, but not ten-consecutive-time champion Logan.
A silver medal is certainly not the domination that characterized that winning decade, but then “Dreamtime” was certainly not the brand of those times, either. This aboriginal celebration was one of the most unique and intriguing presentations of the year.
Legacy High School
When creative pedigree begets high level skills, look for “Emergence.” The Colorado high school shone for its mature approach, its well-heeled presence, and its head-to-toe quality. Professionalism at all levels of its presentation showed.
Mechanisburg High School
Will those darned old “Autumn Leaves” EVER get off the trees? I hope not, as long as their legacy is as memorable as this Pennsylvania guard made it. This whopper of a tree trunk set was an unexpected setting for the delicate, and intricate, book that ensued.
Milford (OH) High School
Here it is: one of my favorite winners of every season, Best Novelty Show of the Year. Looks like Pixar animation, plays like Merrie Melodies; “Hungry Rhapsody” was the picnic of the year … for the ants! Class appropriate and nothing but fun.
Navarre High School
It’s the Cinderella story of the year; seven high schoolers from the Florida peninsula are given a perfect show. Set, costumes, props, books: all ideal for their outsized talent; the six princesses, with Prince Charming, got the show in by that ominous strike of midnight.
North by Northwest
Thank goodness: the year needed some unit to literally go over-the-top! Washington’s North By Northwest obliged with the *sickest* piece of creativity all season. The performers generated “Suspense” from the moment they set foot on the floor.
Onyx: ’09 Quintessential Guard Inductee
There is no unit, no organization, and no program in the indoor color guard activity finer than Onyx. Period. And there’s not been a year that at least one unit from the association has not been applauded here at Field&Floor.
This year, included. Was this the best Onyx ever? Hmmm … seems to me, they all are.
Pope High School: ’09 Quintessential Guard Inductee
Deceptively simple and delightfully appealing, Georgia’s Pope made a Victorian day in the park a life lesson. “The 3 of Life,” in fact: live well, laugh often, love much. In ways subtle and overt, shy and bold, even reticent and rowdy, the young ladies were winning in every way.
Salem Blue
On the bias is usually a phrase used in sewing; well, it works here too. Massachusetts’ perennial competitor stitched together some “Hallelujah” of its own, from the diagonal. Staging, pacing, and those (I call them) Northeast hands threaded the needle for a fine finish.
State of Art
Michigan State’s Spartan men’s basketball team broke through all but one bracket. They should have “Followed the Lead” of the women of the university’s color guard, in this pleasing championship show.
Trumbull High School
Shining as brightly as its show title, “Aurora,” these Connecticut ladies laid effect on effect for maximum celestial brightness. Being creative with this group is easy: line ‘em up, give ‘em the work … and let them soar!
Usurpation
“The Chagall Duet,” as envisioned by this Indiana unit, was a two-step of dance and guard work, fully integrated, interestingly staged, and effectively presented. Now that’s classic usurpation!
TOMORROW: Happy Easter
But drop back by on Monday, when the entire season is visualized, as a square!
(Initials, included ;-)
