Colorguard is science. It is exact, specific and it demands precise execution. A designer's drill is a chart; a graph which indicates x and y coordinates for constantly changing geometric shapes and forms in both time and space. Our equipment and props are always pushing the laws of physics with force and speed, action and reaction. All of this is with an incredible control of time.
Colorguard is math. It is rhythmically and metrically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously. We have angles and degrees, both acute and obtuse, sequences, ranges, and planes.
Colorguard is a language. It is a visual picture alive with message, meaning, and expression. We use interpretive phases, sentences, and words many times with music which creates a most complete and universal language, to be recorded for others to see, feel, and understand. It is a language which is recited and shared many times both near and far.
Colorguard is history. Colorguard can be influenced by the environment and times of its creation, or it can reflect the past as well as the future. It can send us to a far away country or bring us closer to home. Sometimes colorguard means going to back to bring your audience forward.
Colorguard is physical. It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, feet and legs; in addition to extraordinary control of the back stomach and torso; all of which are called to respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the sight the eye sees. Colorguard centers around endurance, ability, strength, and balance.
Colorguard is a sport. A game which we play with others in which we share and we shine. We compete against other teams to place well. More importantly, we compete against ourselves to beat anything less than our bests. It allows us to learn more on our inside on confidence and fear, self-esteem and self-image; as we get better on the outside with performances, people, expressing our feelings, and sharing our dreams. It is a chance to realize our attitude is what makes us or breaks us, not anyone or anything else. It is a kind of mind set with an increased awareness that challenges us to realize the potential inside ourselves.
Colorguard is a performing art. It is a show which can be entertaining and enlightening! With directing, acting, producing, managing, and touring. Colors, fashion, flair, excitement, pizazz, sophistication, and subtlety. Always realizing the triad of performance; audience, performer, design. It allows a human being to learn how to take all of these things; some dry and technically boring, some difficult and challenging; and use them to create EMOTION - the central element to any performance.
