WGI 2013 Fall FOCUS

www.wgi.org wgi focus 1

Hearing Safety gets a Plug from

advisory Board

Crowd PleaSerSthe making of a

fan favorite

sPort or art? how aBout Both!

the official news of wgi sport of the arts

fall 2013

alum sPins his way to

cirque du soleil

Carmel High School’s Path to Success

World Class Building a

Winner

f o c u s

F u e l y o u r

t o e x p l o r e , t o c r e a t e , t o p e r f o r m …

W i t h o v e r 4 0 y e a r s i n t h e a c t i v i t y ,

o u r l e a d i n g g u a r d d e s i g n e r s

s h a r e y o u r p a s s i o n a n d o f f e r g u a r d a c c e s s o r i e s

t h a t g i v e l i f e t o y o u r c r e a t i o n .

8 0 0 . 3 2 3 . 5 2 0 1w w w . M c C o r m i c k s G u a r d . c o mMcCormick’s Guard

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fall 2013 Volume 26, Issue 3

Winter Guard InternationalRon nankeRvIsExecutive Director

BaRt WoodleyDirector of Operations

aaRon JenkInsMarketing & Communications Manager

Published By:In tune Partners, llC

IRWIn koRnfeldCEO

WIll edWaRdsPresident

emIle menasChéEditor-in-Chief

JaCkIe JoRdanCreative Director

RoBIn GaRBeRProduction Director

BaRBaRa BouGhtonBusiness Manager

ContRIButInG WRIteRs:Debbie Galante Block, Michael Boo, Rick Mattingly, Danny Miles, Michael Reed

PhotoGRaPhy: Adam Alonzo, Jolesch Photography, Dan Scafidi, Linda Unser, Sid Unser

Wgi foCUS is an educational publication of WGI Sport of the Arts. It is digitally published three times per year, Fall, Winter, and Spring. The Spring issues is also printed and has a circulation of 16,000 copies. To subscribe, visit wgi.org/focus

For advertising information or to submit an article for consideration, please contact Aaron Jenkins; phone: 937-247-5919 x310 email: [email protected]

WInteR GuaRd InteRnatIonal2405 Crosspointe DriveDayton, OH [email protected] www.wgi.org

inside

7 ensembleWGI adds a new venue and expands semi-final competition ... Drumlines of the NFL ... WGI judge runs for a good cause ... Reserved seating packages announced ... WGI alumnus carries the flag for Cirque du Soleil ... and much more!

Features

aImaChI Is amonG the fan favoRItes featuRed In ouR look at fans favoRItes. 22

ahtletICIsm and aRtIstRy Come toGetheR foR vanGuaRd’s PeRCussIon lIne.29

f o c u sthe official news of wgi sport of the arts

16 Close-uPBefore Rosie Queen arrived in 2003, Indiana’s Carmel High School didn’t even have a color guard. A decade later, they’re celebrating their second World Class crown.

18 PRofIleInfinity director John Campese reflects on more than 40 years of passion for the marching arts.

32 ClInICLast spring, WGI’s Percussion Advisory board explored ways that percussionists can protect their hearing—and improve their performance along the way.

34 sCholaRshIPWhen tragedy struck Megan York and her mom, Megan drew strength from her “second family” in the Ars Nova color guard.

38 What’s youR WGIQ?How’s your eye for detail? See for yourself in this photo comparison.

22 hoW shoWs BeCome fan favoRItes Designers and staff from some of WGI’s biggest crowd-pleasers explain how they win over audiences.

29 Ready, set, Go!The phrase “Sport of the Arts” has been synonymous with WGI for decades. But where did it come from? And how does it apply to today’s color guards and percussion lines?


e n s e m b l enews from the floor and more

The Percussion World Championships will be bigger than ever in 2014. In August, WGI announced plans to expand he 2014 WGI

Percussion World Championships scheduled for April 10-12, with new events and an added venue.

Millett Hall—located 55 miles from Dayton on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio—will host preliminary events (Thursday, April 11) and semifinals (Friday, April 12). The 6,400-seat arena offers wide concourses, theater-like lighting, and a large parking lot rivaling those at Dayton’s UD Arena and Nutter Center, where ensembles warm up before the show.

The venue was added to allow Scholastic A groups to have their semi- finals on Friday instead of the previous schedule, which required both prelim and semi-final perfor-mances on Thursday. Not only does the new schedule eliminate a very long first day of competi-

tion for Scholastic A groups; it gives them a better chance to prepare for their semi-finals followed by their finals Friday evening. In addition, this change will allow for a new semi-final round for World Class ensembles, which was voted in by the Percussion Advisory Board in May.

“With 343 performances at this year’s percussion championships, there was an

overwhelming need to expand not only performance opportunities for World Class ensembles, but to improve the experience for our largest class in Scholastic A,” says WGI’s Executive Director Ron Nankervis. “This addition-

al site will allow us to potentially double the number of semi-finalists depending

on the number of entries, while spacing out their performances more evenly.”

Look for more information on the 2014 WGI Percussion World Championships schedule on WGI.org as details are finalized.

the 2014 CalendaR Is onlIne!the season kicks off on February 8 with percussion and color guard events around the country. Color guard elite events take place on march 15-16 (mid-east and Western) and march 22-23 (eastern, southeastern, and southwest-ern). that weekend, percussion groups will battle for the Western and mid-south titles before heading to dayton for the Color Guard (april 3-5), and Percussion (april 10-12) World Championships. find the latest at wgi.org/calendar.

WGI’S PerCUSSION WOrLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO ExPAND

“This additional site will allow us to potentially double the number of semi- finalists.”

to meet the demands of steadily rising attendance, WGI will begin to offer reserved seating admission in 2014 for the World Class semi-finals held at the university of dayton arena. “With semi-finals and finals continuing to sell out, creating reserved seating provides more service to our ticket customers

and options for their championship weekend plans,” says WGI executive director Ron nankervis. spectators planning to attend a or open Class semi-final events can purchase general admission tickets at the door for those events. to learn more, visit wgi.org/semisseats.

reserve Your seat at the semis!

indePendant world’s matrix

scholastic world’s centerville hs

scholastic a’s chantilly hs

www.wgi.org 8 wgi focus

Relive all the action from the 2013 Winterguard International World Championships with complete dvd sets covering last april’s Winter Guard and Percussion

competitions. each dvd shows edited footage of all the groups taking part. volumes 1-4 cover every class in Winter Guard. volumes 5-8 cover all the Marching Percussion classes. Bundles

include a free shipping and a free preview of the fan Network, where you can find streaming video with alternative camera angles and download individual performances. Learn more (and find additional DVDs) at wgi.org/store/2013-dvds.

2013 Championship DvD BunDles

e n s e m b l e

You don’t often see the words “dancing” and “attorney” in the same sentence. But Boston lawyer Hieu Nguyen says that his time in WGI color guard played an important role in his legal career—and now, he wants to give something

back. Nguyen—who came to the U.S. from Vietnam discovered color guard while at Danbury (CT) high school—hopes to raise $10,000 for the WGI Scholarship Fund by running in November’s New York City Marathon. “I was truly honored to be a recipi-

ent of the Lynn Lindstrom Scholarship in 2001,” says Nguyen, who competed with his school’s guard from 1998-2000 and went on to perform with Alter Ego, St. Ann’s World, and St. John’s of Beverly, DCI’s Cadets, and in two Boston dance companies. “Undergraduate studies led to law school, which then led me to becoming a ‘dancing attorney.’ All of this would not have been possible without the help of the WGI scholarship.”

Although his law career prevents him from dancing or teaching full time, Nguyen stays close to the activity, serving as a WGI movement judge and teaching and choreographing for high school- and college-level programs. When we caught up with him, he was about 10 weeks into an 18-week training program. “It can sometimes

be hard to get motivated to stay on track with the strict training schedule,” he admits. “But I always get reinvigorated when I think about the potential difference [this run can make] to the WGI Scholarship Program. I truly believe that this is a big community effort and I fully appreciate everyone’s support. I will run the 26.2 miles for all of us.” You can support Hieu’s run at wgi.org/fundrun.

rUNNING FOr SChOLArShIPS

sneakeR slIP-ons foR slICk movesSneakers are designed to grip the ground, and while that’s great for most workouts, it can be a problem when you want to do dance moves like twists and turns on a wooden floor. The soles’ traction not only makes the workout harder, it may even cause injury. The DanceSocks, by Onesock Productions Inc., are designed to solve that problem. These one-size-fits-all nylon/spandex bands slip over any pair of sneakers, covering the treads under the balls of the wearer’s feet, allowing just enough slip for slick moves while maintaining the shoe’s comfort, support and stability. At press time, The DanceSocks were available in black and pink. Each package includes two pairs. Learn more at thedancesocks.com

PuttInG on one shell of a shoW!Sounding great may be the primary goal of every drumline, but looking good is important too—especially in competition. Designed to enhance the sights without hampering the sound, ON2 Percussion’s Drum Slips are precut, interchangeable, nonpermanent wraps for marching snare, tenor, and bass drums in diameters ranging from six to 32 inches. Made of a durable vinyl composite, the water-resistant and UV protected Drum Slips are precut to fit around the hardware and wrap around the each type of drum. They fasten with an adhesive strip that does not contact or damage the drum’s shell or finish. Users can choose from a library of colors and designs, or—for an extra fee—can upload their images of their own for a custom look. on2percussion.com

Guard Focus

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“danCInG attoRney”hIeu nGuyen Is RunnInG to RaIse $10,000 foR WGI sCholaRshIPs.

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oooPsAIn our spring 2013 issue, Clinton high school (Psa) was incorrectly identified as being from michigan. they are actually from mississippi.

#Wanted: WGI is searching for social media correspondents to cover 2014 WGI Regional events. Contact [email protected] for more information.

When it comes percussive sports, nothing can match pro football. But in addition to those clashes on the field, more and more

fans are hearing the hard-hitting sound of sticks and skins thanks to the growing number of drum lines performing at NFL games. This year alone, the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Cincinnati Bengals added professional percussion ensembles to their entertainment rosters, joining the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and nearly 20 other franchises who feature drum lines or (in the case of Baltimore, Washington, and Houston) full marching bands.

DrUMLINeS “TOUCh DOWN” IN The NFL“The biggest winners are the

performers,” says Pittsburgh’s Steeline co-founder Vince Wallace, who previously led the Gateway HS Indoor Drumline and worked with the Independent World group Gateway Indoor. “Drummers don’t have much opportunity to perform in drumlines after they leave college or age out of DCI/WGI. Many have spent seven or eight years developing their skills as marching percussionists and are suddenly left with no way to utilize their talents. NFL drumlines

offer just that.”“eighty-five percent of our

performers have had experience in WGI or DCI groups,” says Shaun Gallant, CEO of Gallant Entertain-ment, which created the Jets’ Aviators and Giants’ G Line, along

with groups for the NY Rangers (hockey) and Knicks. “We’ve been floored by the talent and enthusiasm we’ve encountered.”

“Playing in the drumline combines the best parts of drum corps, WGI, and college band, but on steroids,” says Michael Howell, lead tenor drummer with Gallant and former member of Independent World group Surround Sound. “People go insane for it. We’re like cheerleaders, but cooler.”

e n s e m b l e

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tIme WaRneRthe 2013 WGI Percussion Championships are featured in a segment called “Winter Guard highlights” on time Warner Cable’s local on demand channel as part of a nationwide campaign to promote the marching arts. this is the fourth year World Championships have been featured, and customers keep asking for more. You can find the WGI highlight show on their “loCal on demand” channel. dates and channels vary per area, so check your local listing!

memBeRs of the avIatoRs enteRtaIn neW yoRk Jets fans at a ReCent home Game.

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With a sturdy square rack system that supports a variety of percussioninstruments, 6-inch casters for ease of movement and a gas shockheight adjustment system, Yamaha Multi-Frame keyboards give educatorsample reason to Depend on Yamaha. Learn about these features andmore at

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e n s e m b l e

vIntaGe a & oPen Class shoWs make theIR dvd deButRelive great moments from WGI’s a and open classes with new dvd collections spanning 11 years of great action (see “new to the Archives”), the first time classic performance from these classes be available on dvd. you can also see WGI shows dating back to 1978 at WGI’s Fan Network, which offers on-demand video for computers and mobile devices. fan network subscriptions for the 2014 season will be available starting on monday (dec. 2). learn more at wgi.thefannetwork.org.

This fall, WGI Sport of the Arts announced that the 2014 season will be the first time that two regional events would take place across the atlantic. Winter Guard united kingdom (WGuk) and Color Guard netherlands (CGn)—both long-time Circuit Partners with WGI—will hold events on february 22 and march 1 respectively, part of WGI’s ongoing effort to expand overseas. Groups from Canada, England, Japan, the Nether-lands and thailand took part in 2012, and the activity is making inroads in malaysia and China. “We are thrilled with the response and growing interest in the countries with which we have shared our judging system and most importantly, the philosophy of WGI,” says WGI Executive Director, Ron Nankervis. “It remains our goal to create educational and competitive events in multiple countries and create a truly global organization.” Read the full story at wgi.org/europe.

WGi’s international expansion

WGI AMBASSADORS TO TEACH THE SPORT OF THE ARTS IN JAPAN

WGI Sport of the Arts presents: Spinfest and Drumfest Asia! The first international WGI educational event for color guard and

marching percussion instructors, this exciting new event will bring world-famous WGI designers and instructors to Japan, where they’ll conduct clinics on how to create color guard and marching percussion programs. Over the course of two days, this event will feature exercises, techniques, choreography and show design classes the local instructors can use with their students. “WGI is committed to expanding our reach both educationally and providing events for color guards and percussion ensembles around the world,” says WGI Executive Director ron Nankervis. “Our first foray into Japan is an exciting goal that has been in the works for quite some time, and we are confident that the astound-ing growth we see today in the United States is only the beginning as we share our philosophy with other countries.” wgi.org/jp

1neW to the aRChIves1990 (Ia, sa)1992 (Ia, sa)1994 (Ia, sa, Io)1996 (Concert)1997 (Pso, PIo, Concert, Ia, sa,

Io, & so)1998 (IA, SA, IO, SO, PSA, PIO,

& Concert)2000 (Ia, sa, Io, so, Psa, PIa,

Pso, & PIo)2001 (Ia, sa, Io, & so) 2002 (Ia, sa, Io, so, PIa, Psa,

PIo, Pso)2003 (Ia, sa, Io, so, PIa, Psa,

PIo, Pso, & Concert)

BeatRIx hIlveRsum, the netheRlands

May 10 & 11, 2014 at BumB (Tokyo Sports Bunka-kan)

1998 PatRIots

2002 Rhythm x 2000 InfInIty

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With a sturdy square rack system that supports a variety of percussioninstruments, 6-inch casters for ease of movement and a gas shockheight adjustment system, Yamaha Multi-Frame keyboards give educatorsample reason to Depend on Yamaha. Learn about these features andmore at

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J.J. Villar was one of thousands who auditioned for Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE show, currently running in Las

Vegas. He credits his success at being one of the few who landed the job to the special ability he developed during his years in WGI and DCI: flag spinning.

“After the final audition round, they asked if anyone had any special skills,” he recalls. “I said, ‘Yes, I want to show you my spinning.’ So I put on Michael Jackson’s song ‘Human Nature’ and started spinning a flag, and they were blown away. I had no idea that in the early 1980s Michael Jackson had flag spinners in his tour on the song ‘Wanna be Startin’ Something.’”

Villar dances and does acrobatics in the show, and he has a solo spot where he spins. “Flag spinning set me apart,” says Villar, who, after being named flag coach, choreographed part of a song with flags and taught other dancers how to spin. “But I also owe my success to the work ethic, respect level, and ability to learn so much in a short time—which I got from drum corps and WGI—as wel as all the people in those activities who helped mold me. Now I get to represent the biggest pop and music legend in the world. When I was a little kid living in South America, I was watching Michael Jackson videos and doing his moves, hoping some day I could be behind him. Although he’s gone, God rest his soul, I get to continue dancing for him and represent his name and the Cirque du Soleil name—spin-ning a flag no less!”

Villar’s flag-spinning career began when he was in junior high. His older sister had joined the flag corps at her high school, and she would practice in the grassy area behind the apartment complex where they lived.

“I would be upstairs watching her from our window,” J.J. recalls, “and I would be spinning a broomstick and copying her. One day after school I went to her school, and on their break I started spinning a flag. The directors were impressed and asked me to be on their team. I was the youngest

member and the only boy.”After high school, J.J. joined the Cal State

University Northridge marching band, during which time he got involved with Axxis Winterguard. In 1997 he joined the Blue Devils, marching with them to DCI World Championships in 1997 and 1999. Meanwhile, he moved from Axxis to Fantasia Winterguard, which won the WGI Championship in 2000.

After he aged out, he helped develop a group called Corps Impact—a mini drum

corps show that performed at events for such corporations as IBM, McDonald’s, and Apple. “I was making really good money spinning flags,” J.J. says. “As much as I wanted to get away from that and be known as just a dancer and choreographer, I realized that flag spinning was going to be my niche. That’s how I became known and brought something different to the dance world and choreography.”

Today, in addition to Michael Jackson one, Villar owns a company called Feel The

Music Entertainment, where he runs a program called The Road to Hollywood that’s designed to help kids make it in the entertainment business. What is his message for aspiring performers? “If you never give up and have a good work ethic, humility, respect, and the drive to achieve and to always learn more, you’ll reach the stars.”

J.J. VILLAr GIVeS “CIrqUe” A SPIN

With the new season approaching fast, it’s also time to honor those who’ve made percussion history by nominating them for the Winter Guard International hall of fame. (Color Guard hall of fame nominees were inducted in 2012 and will be eligible for 2014.) the submission should include a

letter (no longer than two pages) with the nominee’s full name, home address, home and work telephone numbers (including area code), as well as a detailed explanation of why the candidate deserves to be inducted. Include your name and contact info, along with your signature and the

date you completed and submitted your letter. In addition, you’ll need a letter from three other people supporting your candidate.

all documentation must be submitted by email by the nov. 1 deadline. learn more by writing to [email protected]

hall oF Fame nomination time!

sPotlIGht By Rick Mattingly

Flag spinning skills helped this WGI alum earn a spot in Cirque du Soliel’s Michael Jackson one

e n s e m b l e

hall oF Fame nomination time!

Indoor PercussIon & color Guard educatIonal dVds

wGI/orG/store

^The fundamenTalsLearn the basics on flag, rif le, and sabre. Build your color guard’s skil ls with the most current techniques used by top WGI groups.

movement seriesJoin Carol Abohatab, choreographer for the Santa Clara Vanguard World Guard and a modern dance teacher for more than 20 years, in this three part series.

percussion designTake notes from Andrew Markworth, John Mapes, Ian Grom, Tim Fairbanks, and Shane Gwaltney as they show you how to Select a Program, Storyboard a Show, and Orchestrate for Indoor Percussion.

^

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ten years after starting with 14 students, Rosie Queen’s Carmel hs won its third WGI titleBy Debbie Galante Block

Queen for a Decade

Last April, Carmel hS in Carmel, IN, won its second WGI Scholastic World Championship, and third WGI title overall. But no one could have imagined that kind of success when the group’s director, Rosie Queen came to the school in 2003. After all, when Queen arrived, the school didn’t even have a Winter Guard program. “We literally had to beg girls to participate in the first few Winter Guards,” Queen says. “The school band directors, however, knew how important it was for us to have a year round program and gave us full support.”

By 2005, Carmel was able to bring 14 girls to the school’s first WGI show under queen, competing in Open Class within their local Indiana area. The next year, the group grew to 18 girls and by 2007, Carmel HS had a winning

i had never been in charge of a program before and thought this might be a good opportunity.

program, taking the WGI Scholastic Open Class crown with its “Neverland.”

The programs moved up to Scholastic World, the following year, taking home two World Championships, including the 2013 title.

Queen’s own color guard journey started back in 1983 as a performer with the St. Rita h.S. ritanettes from Chicago, IL. She also performed with Millers Blackhawks, Blessed Sacrament and Escapade Winter Guards before moving into teaching. “In 2003, Carmel High School was looking for a color guard director,” she recalls. “I had never been in charge of a program before and thought this might be a good opportunity. That was an understate-ment! My friend Keith Potter, his wife Lindsay and I decided to take on the Carmel adventure together.” They knew Carmel already had an outstanding marching band and music program under the direction of Richard Saucedo.

The team continues to grow. Last season, with their “Full Spectrum” performance, the girls faced many challenges. The members had to be trained to deal with the ropes that were introduced to the show as well. “Our music was by Evelyn Glennie, who is a deaf percussionist,” Queen explains. “It was some amazing music, but not the most conventional in feel or meter. We used ropes to signify the ‘vibrations’ of sound. Evelyn could only feel the music through vibrations. Win, lose, or draw, we had a lot to be proud of. Winning the gold medal was just the icing on the cake.”

Queen has seen the program grow im-mensely from its humble beginnings, and today, Carmel has three color guard groups for students ranging from middle to high school. “It has taken a lot of people to make this happen,” Queen says. “Thanks to our amazing staff and parents, we have almost 100 young ladies in our guard programs each year.”

And while she’s happy to win titles, Queen says that one of the most rewarding things about being a color guard director is ”watching young girls develop into strong confident young women through this incredible activity!”

close-up


Infinity director reflects on the growth of marching percussionBy Michael Boo

From Disney to Infinity

Infinity director John Campese began his career in marching percussion when he joined his first drum corps in 1971, going on to march in some of Drum Corps International’s top groups, including Anaheim Kingsmen and Suncoast Sound. He has arranged and instruct-ed for Suncoast Sound, Magic of Orlando, Boston Crusaders and other DCI corps, plus the Japan-based group Inspires. From 1985 through 2003, he worked for Walt Disney Co. and arranged and performed for the highly innovative Future Corps, The Tapestry of Nations and the Walt Disney Candle-light Orchestra, which performed during the holiday season. He spoke to WGI Focus just as auditions and camps for the 2014 were approaching.

➧ The birth of Infinity: After leaving Disney, my friend, fellow drummer and high school instructor Tom Hurst proposed we create First Degree, an independent indoor marching percus-sion ensemble in the Orlando area. The group became a WGI Percussion Independent Open finalist in 2005 and won the PIO gold medal in 2006. That success led us to create Infinity Percussion [in 2007] as a World Class line. Under the administrative direction of Scott Hughes, our parent organization of Pageantry Arts Concepts, Inc. has grown to include five additional ensembles across all three classes; Infinity2 of Orlando, Ancient City Ensemble of St. Augustine, Reef from the Miami area, Marcato of Fort Myers and Stryke Percussion of Palm Beach.

➧ drumming up business acumen: Directing a highly competitive WGI Percussion Indepen-dent World ensemble keeps me in touch with my percussion roots. Despite the countless hours, it’s a diversion from my “other” full-time job of owning my own ReMax real estate company in Orlando. I was inducted into the ReMax Hall of Fame in 2008 and was featured

“Records are broken about every year…but as each new season approaches, the bar is raised once again.”

in Orlando Magazine as one of the area’s “Hot 100 realtors and Five-Star Agents.” I firmly believe my success in real estate was gained from paying attention to the lessons I learned about excellence in my music career.

➧ Beyond the competition floor: The indoor marching percussion activity has had far-reaching influence, producing many great players and performers. It has also created some of the freshest new instructors and writers for a myriad of other venues, as we’ve

seen an increased popu-larity of percussion in mainstream entertain-ment and pop artist videos. Over the past few years, the NFL and NBA

has introduced many entertaining drum line acts around the country.

➧ The World Championships Effect: Being at the WGI World Championships and witnessing the annual increase in performance level—see-ing thousands of percussionists all performing at such a high level during the same week-end—is simply mind blowing.

➧ Continual improvement: During my years as an indoor marching percussion director, I’ve seen the activity continuously improve by leaps and bounds. The indoor percussion activity reminds me of the World and Olympic High Jump event…Records are broken about every year, but as each new season approaches, the “bar” is raised once again.

profile

John CampeseDirector, INFINITy PerCUSSION

InfInIty 2013

InfInIty 2012

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If you’ve ever been in the arena during the Winter Guard

International World Championships, you know the feeling—the sponta-neous buzz that starts building through the crowd when a show takes the audience somewhere special and unexpected. These are the perfor-mances that touch the heart as well as the mind, the ones that stay with us long after the last note has faded and the applause has died down.

designers and staff from some of WGI’s biggest crowd-pleasers explain how they win over audiences year after year. By Michael Boo

fanHow Shows Become

favoRItes

2013 sCholastIC WoRld fan favoRIte

West BRoWaRd hs

22 wgi focus

There’s no doubt that competition and the judges’ scores are fundamen-tal parts of what makes WGI so exciting. But the organization has also long recognized the importance of entertaining fans as recorded in the popular Fans’ Favorite video collec-tions. Since 2010, text voting now gives the audience the power to crown performances deserving of the new coveted Fans’ Favorite Awards for Color Guard and Perccusion (the latter sponsored by Sabian).

But what does it take to attain that lofty status and create a show that stands the test of time? We asked leaders of World Class color guard and percussion ensembles just that.

As it turns out, making a crowd erupt in spontaneous joy is a long-term project. Prior to each season, the creative staffs of the winter guards and indoor marching percussion lines gather together to banter about ideas they hope will leave the audience breathless. In the best of circumstanc-es, some staffs end up creating presentations that will stand the test of time. These are the shows that generate the loudest screams, the


most intense applause and the longest standing ovations. These are the shows that win the WGI Fans’ Favorite Award. After the season, they often sell the most WGI Fan Network downloads and persuade fans to buy the World Championships Finals DVDs.

“The design team has a duty to produce entertainment,” says Joe Sowders of Braddock Independent (who previously designed for north-mont hs). “I believe that’s why the crowd shows up. The bottom line is; are you keeping the attention of the audience? Are you showing them a journey, or are taking them with you on the journey?”

As it often does, father Ryan high school’s percussion line brought the fans along for the ride in 2013 with its Evel Knievel-inspired daredevil production, “Don’t Try This At Home.” Show designer Derek Schletzer credits the line’s year-in-year-out entertain-ment value to his father Jeff, who founded the group with the belief that to be noticed, a line must have an distinct identity. From the beginning, the staff decided Father ryan’s identity would revolve around being

James loGan hs

2013 PeRCussIon sCholastIC WoRld

fan favoRIte fatheR Ryan hs


funny—and they have held on tight to the decision of developing their own brand of humor. (One show several years ago was set in a trailer park…another show of the same era was based on lovable rednecks.)

In recent years, Father Ryan has edged away from comedy and has focused on creating shows that, Schletzer says, “leave the audience thinking, ‘That was awesome!’” To accomplish this, the members must be a solid percussionist line first, fun-loving entertainers second. “We realize nobody wants to see a bunch of clowns out there that can’t play their instruments,” Schletzer says.

“Whether it’s a subtle show, an emotional show, or one that is action-packed, it’s the quality that stands out,” says Michael Gaines, who writes for both winter guard and indoor marching percussion ensembles for Japan’s aimachi. “Once that quality is there, it is up to the perform-ers to draw the audience in and allow them to become emotionally invested. That is the ‘x’ factor.”

According to Mike Jackson, percussion instructor at mission viejo hs, when it comes to entertaining WGI audiences, substance wins out over flash. “Contrived, cliché, or trite moments don’t always connect...at least not in a good way,” he says. Jackson believes that WGI designers need to ask themselves, “Why are we doing this? If the answer is, ‘because it’s cool,’ then we need to dig deeper, finding a creative purpose for every component in the show.”

From the early planning stages, Jackson says he tries to think about the elements that will reach beyond the hardcore WGI fans at the World Championships. At the end of each season, his group performs for the Mission Viejo student body, who, as Jackson puts it, “know nothing of this art form. If you can get a reaction—subtle or not—out of an average art-deprived student body, chances are you’ve nailed it.”

“Audiences vary from venue to venue and regions of the country are very different, ” adds Scott Chandler, former designer for James logan hs Winter Guard. The group’s ability to appeal to both sophisticated and casual fans has made it a perennial Fans’ Favorite contender. How does a group reach such a diverse array of fans? Chandler designs each element of the show to “exhibit the unique personalities of the members, providing opportunities for their emotions and skills to take priority. Allowing the performers to communicate in their own specific manner is paramount.”

Allowing the performers to communicate in their own individual manner is also important to Keith Potter of the Carmel hs Winter Guard, another ensemble that is no

stranger to the Fan’s Favorite Award. He believes that the members must be consid-ered with respect and care, adding, “A show idea must be the right fit for the program so that everyone involved feels connected.”

Potter believes that a show should have no wasted moments. “Ideally, nothing is ever transition-al,” he says. “I always hear the word ‘transition’ and wonder how we could afford ‘non-communica-tive’ moments in such short shows. Every second should communicate in some way. Constant engagement is the goal.”

Potter adds that while it’s okay to “think big,” it’s also important to consider the way the show builds to its climactic moments. “You need large-scale ideas, but don’t be afraid that details are too small” he explains. “Often, a

million details can make something special.” He calls this, “the beach theory: Enough grains of sand can make a tropical paradise.”

Just like performing, building a great show is a team effort. According to Father ryan’s Schletzer, it’s important to be open to ideas, especially in the early planning stages. “When we put a production together, the process always begins with brainstorming and we make a pact not to shoot down any idea, no matter how crazy it might sound,” he says. “Sometimes these ‘crazy’ ideas—that we didn’t take seriously—end up being our favorite parts.”

In a way, the first “audience” for any show is made up of the staff who has to put it together and the members who have to perform it. It’s better to find out early on what works—and what doesn’t. “What seems like a good idea in

your head may clearly become ‘not quite right’ once a team starts asking and answering questions,”

Carmel HS’s Potter says. “That collaboration, in concept and execution, could likely be what gives ‘life’ to an idea. I have been fortunate enough to be on great teams, so this step means the most to me.”

But in the end, while the audience may respond to differ-ent things than a panel of adjudi-cators, both the crowds and the judges are there to see the best

indoor color guard and percussion groups give their all. “Besides the effects and overall design of the show, the students need to play and perform at the highest level,” concludes percussion coordinator-instructor Tom Aungst of dartmouth hs. “Over and over, I talk to them about their work ethic, commitment, and what it takes to be the best…and that doesn’t mean coming in first place, either. you basically work hard, do the best you can, and whatever happens, happens.”

It is up to the performers to draw the audience in and allow them to become emotionally invested. that is the ‘x’ factor.”

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gifocus_fall-fp-v1.indd 19/11/13 9:19 AM

REGISTER NOW! PAS.ORG

MARCHING PERCUSSION FESTIVAL The Percussive Arts Society Marching Percussion Festival displays top high school and college talent around the nation, all critiqued by leading marching percussion specialists in the field. Categories include individual, interactive clinics and small ensemble competitions. PAS introduces the new DrumLine Battle: In conjunction with Drum Corps International, PAS will be bringing drumlines together to perform 2 minute battles to see which group remains standing.

SCHOLARSHIPSPAS awards thousands of scholarship dollars to percussion students every year. Apply to receive financial assistance for your percussion studies.

CONTESTSCompete against the best around the world through the many PAS Contests every year. From composition to ensemble to solo performance contests; you can be judged by industry leaders, win cash prizes, and have the chance to perform at PASIC 2014.

The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps

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Single Session Tickets,

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Wristbands

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REGISTER NOW! PAS.ORG

MARCHING PERCUSSION FESTIVAL The Percussive Arts Society Marching Percussion Festival displays top high school and college talent around the nation, all critiqued by leading marching percussion specialists in the field. Categories include individual, interactive clinics and small ensemble competitions. PAS introduces the new DrumLine Battle: In conjunction with Drum Corps International, PAS will be bringing drumlines together to perform 2 minute battles to see which group remains standing.

SCHOLARSHIPSPAS awards thousands of scholarship dollars to percussion students every year. Apply to receive financial assistance for your percussion studies.

CONTESTSCompete against the best around the world through the many PAS Contests every year. From composition to ensemble to solo performance contests; you can be judged by industry leaders, win cash prizes, and have the chance to perform at PASIC 2014.

The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps

Interactive Clinics Individuals Competition

Single Session Tickets,

Expo and Marching Festival

Wristbands

Available Onsite

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While others are relaxing, you’re pushing harder.

You understand that finals night draws closer everyday.

The race has started. Welcome to the season.

www.wgi.org

The individual dictionary definitions of the words “sport” and “art” accurately describe important elements of winter guard and percussion. However, the blending of the two combine to form the true essence of what the activity has been and will become. In other words, the whole is much greater than the sum of either part.

One of the most recogniz-able aspects of WGI is the simple four word phrase “Sport of the Arts” which appears on almost every communication put out by the organization. Log onto the wgi.org website, and the words are right there at the top. Buy a program, and the phrase is prominently displayed on the cover. We see it so often at WGI events that it is easy to overlook because it’s just so familiar.

Yet how did this marvelous, short motto come to define the activity we love so much? Who coined the phrase, and how long has it been in use? More importantly, how can it be incorporated into efforts to expand the scope of the activity as it looks toward the future?

The term was coined in the early 1980s by Dave Marvin, who is the current Director of 11-time Percussion Scholastic World finalist Northglenn high School from Colorado. At the time, he and wife Danlyn worked in merchandising for both Drum Corps International and Winter Guard Internation-al. According to Marvin, DCI was looking for a slogan, and the tag line was originally presented there. DCI Executive

sPoRt † an activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.

aRt¢the conscious production or arrangement

of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other

elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty.

Sport Artsof the

noRWIn hs

The sTory behind

wgi focus 29


Director Don Pesceone elected to go with “Summer Music Games” instead. However, WGI administrators Lynn and George Lindstrom liked the phrase: It encapsulated both the athleticism and creativity of the activity. The phrase is now a part of the organiza-tion’s name, as it is formally known as “WGI Sport of the Arts.”

The organization wasn’t necessarily looking for a catchy slogan to appeal to sponsors. Rather, it had a more practical purpose. “It was there to describe what color guard does,” Lynn Lindstrom says. “We wanted a tag line that said ‘artistry, athletics and coordination.’ It defines the values of our organization, it is competitive [like] team sports and artistic [because of the] music, move-ment, dance, etc., and is based on uniformity and precision.“

“’Sport of the Arts’ is always used in combination with WGI,” says WGI Marketing Director Aaron Jenkins. “Since the name Winter Guard International predominately features the color guard side of the organization, which was the only division when WGI was created, ‘WGI Sport of the Arts’ allows us to embrace a broader range of activities encom-passing color guard and percussion.”

From a marketing standpoint, it’s important to find the right balance between the competitive elements of “Sport” and the beauty and grace of “Art.” Some people will be more drawn to one component or the other, though for many fans, it’s the connection between creativity and competition that makes WGI so exciting. how does WGI find that balance?

Dancing with the Stars to become infatuated with WGI.”

One of the things that makes “Sport of the Arts” such a compelling term is that is, by definition, very inclusive, a quality that WGI hopes to emphasize as the organization looks towards the future and the next generation of young people taking part in the activity. “We work with our strategic partners Drum Corps International and Music for All to make sure that new perform-

ers in those markets become familiar with indoor color guard and percussion ensembles,” Jenkins says. “Oftentimes performers in the wind sections will learn how to play a percussion instrument or pick up a flag just to be able to have more experience performing in their ‘off season.’ We also reach out to new band directors to show the benefits of indoor programs.”

There are also plans in the works to introduce the activity to new audiences who may not be familiar with the world of competitive pageantry. “Having a broader event televised is definitely a goal of WGI,” Jenkins says. “We have teamed up with Time Warner Cable successfully to use their high-defini-tion equipment to record World Championships Finals Performances, and currently have a WGI segment on their ‘On Demand’ channel called ‘Winter Guard Highlights.’”

The “International” part of WGI is where the organization has potential for reaching many new fans. In the past decade, units from Japan, Thailand, England, the Netherlands, and Belgium have competed at World Championships. Lindstrom feels that reaching out to new markets can help WGI grow as an activity both at home and abroad. “Once an area is exposed to [WGI], seeds will be planted and the area will grow within our activity.” Could it be that one day performers from Brazil or China will be standing on the floor at Champi-onships retreat with confetti raining down around them?

What does the phrase “Sport of the Arts” mean to those involved in the activity? “The word ‘Sport’ points out that the members are true athletes, at least as much as someone running down the court or field with a ball,” says legendary “Pen of Pageantry” writer Michael Boo, who has been to all 36 WGI World Championships. “To move around the floor as they do, the members have to be in supreme physical condi-tion. I get a workout just watching them perform.

“The word ‘Arts’ reminds us that there is an additional element beyond all the members’ physical skill,” Boo continues. “Like figure skaters, the per-formers have to take their physical demands and turn those into something aesthetically pleasing—and emotionally effective. They can’t just run around the

floor...They must move with a purpose. The audience and judges must see the music through the movement of the guards, and they must feel the highest degree of musical sensitivity from the percussionists even when they’re flying across the floor at high velocities.”

Finally, what does this brief but marvelous quartet of words mean to the man who originated it thirty years ago? “It’s been amazing that it has never gone out of style,” Marvin says. “It still describes the athleticism we bring to art, and the sport of healthy competition. It still seems as appropriate today as when it was coined.”

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“Luckily a lot of that goes hand in hand,” Jenkins says. “Many of the clips we use in promotional videos showcase the physical strength and endurance performers display during extremely creative choreography. As always, the variety of costuming and make-up easily showcases a great amount of artistry.”

The art of dance has seen an upsurge in popularity in recent years with the success of such programs as So You Think You Can Dance? and Dancing With the Stars. When asked if WGI can use “Sport of the Arts” in its own promotional efforts to capitalize on that popularity, Jenkins replied “’Sport of the Arts’ is certainly a label that can cover more than just color guard and percussion. Dance fits right in there, and as dance and movement are increasingly featured in both activities year after year, I think that it’s completely natural for fans of shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and

“Like figure skaters, the performers have to take their physical demands and turn those into something aesthetically pleasing.”

YEARS

PIWRhythm X - Gold MedalMusic City Mystique - Bronze MedalMatrixAimachiGateway IndoorGeorge MasonGeorge MasonNorthCoast AcademyMN Brass IndoorTates Creek Indoor EnsembleVanguard

PIOCapital City Percussion - Gold MedalDark Sky PercussionDark Sky PercussionTyler Junior College River City Rhythm Green Thunder PercussionBakersfield CollegeForza East Independent PercussionFreedom PercussionPenn State UniversityPenn State UniversityVIP - Vigilantes Indoor Percussion

PSCWJames Logan HS - Gold MedalAyala HS - Silver MedalRowland HS

PSOVictor J. Andrew HS - Victor J. Andrew HS - Silver MedalDorman HSLebanon HSAzle HSBen Davis HSCarrollton HSEscambia HSSeminole HSSeminole HS

PIABrookwood Independent - Gold MedalNotre Dame Indoor Perc Ens Chattanooga IndependentLiberty University Indoor DrumlineAncient City EnsembleClarcona Percussion EnsembleClarcona Percussion EnsembleDoubleStop Indoor PercussioneNVisionLegendsRevelationSt Cloud All-City DrumlineThree Rivers Indoor Percussion

PSWAyala HS - Silver MedalFather Ryan HS - Bronze MedalMt. Juliet HSCenter Grove HS Rowland HS Fountain Valley HSFountain Valley HSWalled Lake Central HSJames Logan HSMilton HSHomestead HSCenterville HS

PSCODiamond Bar HS - Diamond Bar HS - Silver MedalDorman HSUnion County HSAlton HSSBECWoodhaven HS

PSAHilton HS - Hilton HS - Gold MedalClinton HS - Silver MedalLambert HS - Bronze MedalWesterville South HSGoshen HSNorton HSKickapoo HSFoothill HSFoothill HSOlentangy Liberty HSAmherst Steele HSAthens Drive HSBellbrook HSClinton Massie HSDecatur Central HSFindlay HSFindlay HSForest Lake HSFrancis Howell North HSHagerstown HSHillsboro HSLa Canada HSNease HSNorth Allegheny HSNorth Allegheny HSRavenwood HSSilver Creek HSVirginia HSWalled Lake Central HSWarren Central HSWarren East High and Middle SchoolWestview HSWestview HS

WGI 2013

YEARS

PIWRhythm X - Gold MedalMusic City Mystique - Bronze MedalMatrixAimachiGateway IndoorGeorge MasonGeorge MasonNorthCoast AcademyMN Brass IndoorTates Creek Indoor EnsembleVanguard

PIOCapital City Percussion - Gold MedalDark Sky PercussionDark Sky PercussionTyler Junior College River City Rhythm Green Thunder PercussionBakersfield CollegeForza East Independent PercussionFreedom PercussionPenn State UniversityPenn State UniversityVIP - Vigilantes Indoor Percussion

PSCWJames Logan HS - Gold MedalAyala HS - Silver MedalRowland HS

PSOVictor J. Andrew HS - Victor J. Andrew HS - Silver MedalDorman HSLebanon HSAzle HSBen Davis HSCarrollton HSEscambia HSSeminole HSSeminole HS

PIABrookwood Independent - Gold MedalNotre Dame Indoor Perc Ens Chattanooga IndependentLiberty University Indoor DrumlineAncient City EnsembleClarcona Percussion EnsembleClarcona Percussion EnsembleDoubleStop Indoor PercussioneNVisionLegendsRevelationSt Cloud All-City DrumlineThree Rivers Indoor Percussion

PSWAyala HS - Silver MedalFather Ryan HS - Bronze MedalMt. Juliet HSCenter Grove HS Rowland HS Fountain Valley HSFountain Valley HSWalled Lake Central HSJames Logan HSMilton HSHomestead HSCenterville HS

PSCODiamond Bar HS - Diamond Bar HS - Silver MedalDorman HSUnion County HSAlton HSSBECWoodhaven HS

PSAHilton HS - Hilton HS - Gold MedalClinton HS - Silver MedalLambert HS - Bronze MedalWesterville South HSGoshen HSNorton HSKickapoo HSFoothill HSFoothill HSOlentangy Liberty HSAmherst Steele HSAthens Drive HSBellbrook HSClinton Massie HSDecatur Central HSFindlay HSFindlay HSForest Lake HSFrancis Howell North HSHagerstown HSHillsboro HSLa Canada HSNease HSNorth Allegheny HSNorth Allegheny HSRavenwood HSSilver Creek HSVirginia HSWalled Lake Central HSWarren Central HSWarren East High and Middle SchoolWestview HSWestview HS

WGI 2013


earplugs protect hearing—and can help musicians perform at their best.By Danny Miles

Giving safety a proper hearing

Few things can equal the intense sound produced by a percussion line playing at full force. But with that intensity can come danger through prolonged—and ear-damaging—exposure to high sound levels.

Earplugs can bring sound down to a safe level without hampering the performers’ (and staff’s) ability to hear the music. But they only work if they are used consistently and correctly.

To help get that message across, WGI’s Advisory Board invited Neil Larrivee (director of education & product development at Vic Firth Company) and Patty Johnson (an audiologist for Etymotic Research, makers of ear-plugs, earphones, and sound measuring tools) to explain the dangers of prolonged exposure—and the tools and techniques to prevent them.

“I know so many of the great percussion educators on the WGI Advisory Board and I knew that taking the time to share the findings brought forward by etymotic research was important and worthy,” Larrivee says. “honestly, I knew that, like me, they would be astounded by the facts.”

According to Johnson, even veteran musicians and music educators can be ignorant about safe hearing. “Most people don’t realize the levels of their noise and music exposures, and they don’t realize what those exposures are doing to their auditory system,” she says. “I say ‘auditory system’ rather than ‘hearing’ because new research suggests that high sound levels affect us physiologically in ways we can’t measure. It often takes years of excessive noise exposure before a permanent change in hearing threshold is noted or identified.”

One of the biggest excuses musicians use for not wearing earplugs is that they “change the sound” by reducing some frequencies more than others. “Using standard hearing protectors is undesirable for musicians because the unbalanced attenuation makes every-thing sound muddy, muffled and unclear,” Johnson says. “But once they learn that there’s a high-fidelity option, many are willing to try it.”

With the needs of percussionists in mind, Etymotic helped develop Vic Firth’s High-Fidelity Ear-plugs, which are designed to reduce sound levels across the frequency spectrum while maintaining the overall balance in a way that sounds musically satisfying. “At high sound levels the ear itself

overloads and distorts,” Johnson says. “The use of high-fidel-ity moderate attenuation hearing protectors reduces sound levels so the ear itself doesn’t distort, and musicians actually hear each other better than they did without the earplugs. This results in them playing better as a group because they can hear each other better.”

Because of their influence on percussion and music education, Johnson and Larrivee felt presenting to WGI’s advisory board would carry the message of hearing safety to a much wider audience. “These folks are leaders, and I am already witnessing many of them championing the use of hearing protection for musicians of all ages and disciplines,” Larrivee says. “We all have a responsibility to the musicians we serve—whether they are behind a drum set, on a football field, in a concert hall or on the gym floor!” Learn more at eraudiofile.com/wgi-is-all-ears-on-hearing-safety.

“Most people don’t realize the levels of their noise and music exposures.”

clinic

aRIzona state unIveRsIty


Family Comes First

Winter Guard International (WGI) has been a part of my life for almost 10 years and every time a season ends, I feel like I have learned more about myself. The best motivation to keep me going is the strength of my mother and father. They never let me give up. No matter the obstacle, I was always determined to make it work.

After my father passed away unexpectedly in 2004, my mother and I had a hard time getting back on our feet, and family troubles began to arise. Although my mother was very strong, there were times of true hardship and heartbreak. Growing up with WGI—starting my first winter season in 2006—completely changed my life and shifted it into a positive energy. With my new-found love for the Sport of the Arts, I began to learn teamwork and responsibility, develop character, overcome obstacles, and most important, I learned to never give up. During my first year of winter guard, we lost our house, had to give away most of our belongings, packed the car up with as much as we could fit and lived in a tiny hotel. Since I was a part of a wonderful group from DeSoto, Texas, full of sister-hood and teamwork, I was anxious to practice with them and escape from reality every day.

My team never knew the conditions I was under. I was determined to show them I could work hard and overcome my personal battle. During this time my mother was also

very positive, supporting me in any way she could. She was in attendance at every show or regional, and the look on her face as she watched me perform was pure happiness. I could tell this was her escape just as much as it was mine. One of the best memories I have is from this year’s Dallas regional. She hugged me

after I performed and said I was still her little girl. It’s surprising how far this activity has taken me especially since that first year we lived in the tiny hotel room.

Whenever times are hard or I feel like there is no hope or faith for me to hold onto, I always remember the strength of my parents. Even though my father wasn’t able to share my passion for WGI with me, I know his spirit is always with me and before every performance I always thank him, for I know his wisdom will guide me. My mother I owe just as much. She has always been supporting—not just my WGI dreams but my DCI career, my studies, and me as an all around perform-er. Without her unconditional love and support I wouldn’t be where I am. For the future, I never want to shy away from my

hardships. I want my story to inspire others to keep pushing for their goals and know that one day it will all be worth it. If you believe, your dream will come true. Trust yourself.

Megan York is one of 20 performers who received WGI Scholarships in 2013.

“the best motivation to keep me going is the strength of my mother and father”

WGI BoB WIles memoRIal sCholaRshIP this scholarship was named in 2002 for BoB WIles (1943–2000), who was best known for his tireless work on the championship volunteer staff and as director of Anthron Winter Guard, which he helped form. Wiles worked to turn the concept of tradition-al color guard upside down by challenging both the audience and judges with a bold new approach. he was posthumously inducted into the WGI hall of fame in 2009.

scholarship

Color Guard “second family” helps Performer Cope With devastating lossBy Megan York

aRs nova

2013 BoB WIles memoRIal sCholaRshIP WInneR meGan yoRk


what’s your WGIQ?

At first glance, these two photographs of OC Indoor at the 2013 Percussion Independent World finals look identical—but they’re not. there are actually a dozen differences between the upper and lower photos. Find the solution at wgi.org/wgiq.

Want a better seat than this?

Tickets are on sale now!wgi.org/tickets

2530WGI_FocusFP_Tickets_092013.indd 1 9/20/13 2:06 PM

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