(by Don Meador)
For a talented group of visual arts performers, weekday afternoons mean practice, practice, and more practice. The students from the Allen County-Scottsville High School, the James E. Bazzell Middle School, and the Allen County Intermediate Center work each day to perfect their routines for both the varsity and junior varsity winter guard.
The varsity winter guard---known as Axis---includes Chloe McGuire, Brody Holland, Callie Gass, Carlie McGuire, Izzy Sizemore, Xander Manirique, Annie Powell, Silas Schwartz, Abby Green, Amelia Holzman, Sydney Bromwell, Malliea Copas, Jewell Wheat, and Luther Gass and Malli and Zadie Welch.
Winter guard combines elements of song, dance, color guard, and performance into a high-energy and exciting presentation. Guard members use flags and rifles alongside show props to give the audience a colorful visual related to a song.
“The song is Suit and Jacket by Judah and the Lion,” explained Miranda Cook. “It’s is kind of a tale of coming of age and finding your place in the world. It talks about going to college, finding your own path, going into the workforce, or not really know. We draw a picture with the whole show and we have a soloist that represents that internal struggle.”
Cook adds that the show floor will be broken down into areas where the performers will present different visuals concurring with the music. Guard members create and coordinate their dress in step with the song.
“One area represents the not sure way, another area the workforce, and the college level way,” Cook added.
The JV guard performs a show entitled, “Somebody Loves Me.”
“Their show is an 80s-themed workout show,” Cook explained. “It’s set in a gym with a danced floor. The kids are in fill 80s workout gear with leg warmers, and sweatbands and they will spend a lot of different equipment. They will also have aerobic steps.”
The JV guard includes Kinsley Gregory, Addison McGuire, Kayden South, Casey Turner, Aristeo Manirique, Carrie Taylor, Audrey Centers, Kinley Green, Khloe Simmons, Addie Barton, Ruby Whitney, and Aidan Gass.
Both guards units---along with the percussion group from AC-SH----will be in competition this Saturday at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon. The JV guard takes the floor at 11:29 and the varsity unit performs at 2:00 Saturday afternoon. The percussion ensemble performs at 5:06. The competition is under the guidelines of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit.