NC’s color guard team hosted auditions on April 25-29 and started rehearsals on May 3 with the new team for the upcoming fall season. The beginning of the season usually focuses on technique and synchronicity, helping with the bands’ visual aspect at later competitions. Working on technique early on, directors tend to save rehearsals with actual drill and choreography for later in the season once the members form connections. 

Every season brings new leadership because the selection process includes a rising junior or senior scheduling an interview with band directors Sheldon Frazier and Scott Pannell. Each interviewee must bring with them a recommendation letter from a student of each grade, giving the band directors a sense of who they interview. Although other instrument sections usually select one section leader and an Operations Manager, three guard members spearhead the team. Myah Melis, Madison Ogburn and Natalie Solomon participated in a joint interview with the two band directors along with color guard director, Jennifer Leslie. 

The previous marching band season brought in many accomplishments such as finishing in fifth place at the Western Carolina University competition and winning the North Georgia Championships held at South Forsyth High School With a score of 96.1. Color guard not only received superior ratings at both competitions, but also named second place color guard of all the bands at the North Georgia competition. These scores and accomplishments set the bar high for the upcoming color guard teams. 

While new seasons and themes may appear challenging, the members always feel excited to prepare for the new routines and music they must perform. The 2022 marching band season’s theme, “Kokopelli Dances,” will progress through weekly rehearsals, with color guard members preparing by rehearsing their new drill and choreography. The band members that perform alongside color guard spend their time in rehearsal by learning new “Kokopelli Dances” themed music.  

“As a freshman, I have heard how fun and cool the past shows have been for the previous seasons. The upcoming season’s theme is Kokopelli, so I don’t really know exactly how the theme will play out. But what I know so far is that the dances are going to be really fun and the flags and costumes will be beautiful. I’m really excited to perform with my friends and learn all of the new routines for Kokopelli,” freshman Kaydence Malcom said.

Color guard remains one of the most successful teams at NC. The team accepts almost 30 members for their next season, sure to impress the crowds they perform for. At the beginning of each school year and new season, the team performs at all of the football team’s home and away games..

“It feels like the crowd’s reaction to our performance in general, whether the stand tunes or the show itself, is like adrenaline pumping. Before the games I usually feel a little nervous because the crowd is there for the football players, but they also see us. But as soon as the music starts and we begin performing, those nerves go away once I’m spinning or doing stand dances with my friends,” freshman Ciara Whimbush said.

The leaders and directors of color guard expect the new teams’ performances to uphold and even exceed the high standard that the previous teams held. With the new “Kokopelli Dances” show for next semester, the team excitedly prepares during band camp in the summer. The school cannot wait to see what great things color guard will do next year.