SIGNATURE SHOWS
Do you remember when NAME OF GUARD did "NAME OF SHOW?"
How many times have we asked, or been asked, just that, about any number of our favorite color guards? For me, over the decade, these 15 shows answered the question ... autograph attached.
35. Lealta, “The Matrix,” 2003
The white-hot early decade meteor Lealta exploded in its finest form with a color guard version of the sci-fi phenomenon. Make that a color guard phenomenon!
34. Light Brigade, “A Woman’s Work,” 2003
There are dicey design choices; repurposing ideas and approaches from earlier years and units. The decision here was particularly brave, given that the industry will remember well this song with the late 90s performance by Sonnor. But here’s the deal: this “Woman’s Work” worked in the context and form just as wonderfully for Light Brigade, in the unit’s strongest showing to date.
33. Braddock Independent, “We Do It To Ourselves,” 2009
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. 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.
32. Interplay, “I Can See Clearly Now,” 2008
I was transported back in time when I watched the exuberant young people of Interplay; back to a time when there were dance troupes on television, particularly the Peter Gennero and the Ernie Flatt Dancers. “I Can See Clearly Now” is ready for its televised close-up, and that frankly embodied the spirit and goodwill that is at the heart of the independent half of the activity. Everything about this glorious production shone, but in the end it was the performers, with their dance troupe approach, that were winning in every way!
31. Choctawhatchee High School, “The Carnival Is Over,” 2007
If color guard was motion pictures, “The Carnival is Over” would be categorized as a costume drama. From the picturesque French photograph floor, the colors of which had been de-saturated to emphasize an aged, even rusted, sense about the location; to the pale, washed-out colors of the costumes, costumes that even with their metallic flash had once been glittery and bright, in gay carnival colors; this was the season’s Oscar-winning design. As for the drama: ahhhh … carousel imagery that came to life, possibly for that one final time, before the inevitable dénouement, before the carnival was over.
30. Ars Nova, “It's About Time,” 2006
Color guard life didn't seem to deal a fair hand to the extraordinary young people of this Texas unit: performing in the A class all season, it was "awarded" by being moved to Open class after the final weekend of regional competitions. A year that looked as if it might end in bling, started over in the final round. That was when "It's About Time," Ars Nova's show, kicked in. The near riot of support from the stands that greeted the guard in its preliminary run paled to the guard's performance. And after five minutes of intense guard work, the show offered a warm hug of a coda that could have only been delivered by students who ... well as the show said: "are going to live forever."
29. Blessed Sacrament, “Santissimo Sacramento,” 2005
In what might be viewed as overarching overstatement (not to mention ridiculous redundancy), it seemed that in this 26th year the Blessed Sacrament may have been fitted with the mantle of innovation and test-tube experimentation that became the trademark of alumni guard, and long-time SAC competitor, Emerald Marquis. "Santissimo Sacramento" approached the floor in ways unseen and therefore affected viewers in ways unknown. By the force of its sheer velocity, guard members became the visualization of the year's most intriguing music mix.
28. Croatan High School, “The Moon,” 2005
The nine exceptional members of North Carolina's Croatan High School color guard parlayed a maturity that can only be found in units that are based in solid training and productive rehearsal. As overwhelming as color guard can be when the full complement of 32 members performs, it is when merely nine overwhelm that I am even more powerfully moved. Considering Emily Dickinson's "The Moon" with one piece of equipment at a time, Croatan shone. When the rifles came out for the final minute, and the sequence ended in a full-floor spread and a sky-high unison toss, I was, yes, over the moon!
27. Paradigm, “Typical Situation,” 2005
Little more could be said to describe the lasting effect of Paradigm's "Typical Situation," than the lyrics of the song, itself: "Everybody's happy, everybody's free ...." In this case, free to relax, and to let these excellent performers strum at our smile lines for just a few minutes. While the superlative flag sequence on the floor had arenas across the country buzzing all season, let me also note the fine "singing" rifles that followed. Paradigm has forged its brand, and this was its finest presentation.
26. Pride of Cincinnati, “What’s Left?” 2007
Terrific to see Pride go left-brain in its programming; “What’s Left?” had just the right dash of levity, embraced the unit’s benchmark creativity, then kicked in -- BAM! -- an Emeril Lagasse-sized amount of panache and cleverness. It all provided quite a diversion. This program was the year’s outsized exercise in thematic excavation (read: attention to detail). You saw it coming … but not that … oh, my! … you’re NOT … amazing! Yes, it was; in every meaningful color guard way.
25. Aimachi, “Still Life Talking,” 2004
What fun it must be for everyone involved to design, instruct, rehearse, and present the very program that you had on your mind, without the two-three month sloughing through the judging circles, tweaking this, changing that, appealing to everyone’s little whim, for a mere .50. Instead, walk into the competitive arena fresh, lay out YOUR performance, and let the chips, numbers, and ovations, fall as they will. Aimachi did, in fine, true form. Oh, and did I mention there was a solo twirler for much of the show who lent just a “bit” of general effect?
24. Avon High School, “A-MUSE-ing, 2006 / Release,” 2009
2006: This intense Indiana medalist did something that I'll be darned to admit was just about the innovation of this, or any, year in the history of color guard: prove once and for all that comedy is king! You see, any good comedian will tell you that a funny bone is simply the antithesis of drama and pain, and that excellent comedy is grounded in solid dramatics. Avon is certainly grounded in solid color guard, its performances year after year have shown that. But this vehicle, turning color guard on its head while showcasing the art in its highest form, was a miracle in the activity! It was an amazing performance of a history-making show. 2009: When Avon High School chose German composter Gustav Mahler’s Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor to underscore "Release," the result was of startling beauty and the aesthetic ... of the color guard idiom. 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.
23. Fantasia, “City of Glass,” 2000
In its first world championship, California’s Fantasia revealed a sheer clarity of performance that made for the most exhilarating five minutes in color guard all season. It then became the most honored unit here on Field&Floor.
22. Flanagan High School, “Post Secret,” 2008
Florida’s sensation Flanagan put all of its secrets plainly on the floor to pronounce, “We’re it.” They were; with the most overwhelming edition of its trademark ensemble and equipment skills on display. What Pembroke Pines is able to conjure in its every iteration is atmosphere, mood -- an aura if you will -- that permeates and that congeals solidly, becoming a fifth element. What we have here is Google: young, renegade entrepreneurial types intent on changing the world.
21. Northern Lights, “Imagine,” 2006
Northern Lights has all but mastered creating atmosphere. For three years, the Oregon guard has mined material that has proved perfect for its male casts, and has then cast a spell over arenas local, regional, and national, to forge its own stamp on the activity. This year's meditation on John Lennon's "Imagine" definitively showed that atmosphere can be created out of any audio form. This handsome and well-groomed cast presents articulate and well-crafted color guard that is neither self conscious nor self absorbed. In this set-in-the-clouds prayer, the performers were showcased individually, then in ensembles, before reaching for those sky blue rifles to perform as, and to plead for the world to be as ... one.
Here's the schedule for the week:
-- Monday: The decade's 15 SIGNATURE PERFORMANCES, numbers 50-36;
-- TODAY: The decade's 15 SIGNATURE SHOWS, numbers 35-21;
-- TOMORROW: The decade's 10 LEADING EDGE units, numbers 20-11;
-- Thursday, May 21: Numbers 10-6, SETTING INDUSTRY STANDARDS;
-- Friday, May 22: Field&Floor's Top 5 color guards from 2000-2009; and then
-- Saturday, May 23: a first here -- and a once-in-a-decade ranking -- Field&Floor's Top 5 color guards of 2000-2009, BY CLASS! Yes, I will acquiesce to time and give every class its individual due.
