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Dance program adds color guard to complement band

By Carolyn Matthews — A new sparkling addition has been added to increase the entertainment level of the GlenOak Marching Band.

The GlenOak color guard, was formed as a new activity this school year, under the direction of dance teacher, Jackie Blaydes. Together band and dance instructors have worked to add the element of flags into football halftime shows.

“The color guard adds more energy and movement to halftime shows, which compliments the band,” dance director Jackie Blaydes said.

The Guard uses props, along with movement, in order to express a dynamic relationship between music and movement in the marching band show. The purpose of the color guard is to interpret the music the marching band is playing through the synchronized spinning of flags and dance. The color guard spin their golden flags to enhance the visual effect of the marching band as a whole.

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Many physically tasking movements are involved in each dancer’s performance, including many powerful jumps and kicks, which require substantial strength and energy.

In order to perform every pre-game and halftime show, members of the color guard are required to attend practices three times a week, along with band camp for two weeks, during the month of July. These extensive practices have earned color guard members the ability to earn their school required gym credit.

Teamwork is a key factor in the success of the color guard. The opportunity to work together with her peers is one of the main reasons senior, captain of the color guard, Mianna Schutt, choose to become a member of this new team.

“The color guard is a new opportunity which has proven to have many challenges and requires lots of practice,” Schutt said. “The result of our hard work has been the blessing of the formation of an amazing team and half time performance.”

The guard works to highlight the marching band’s intricate musicality with refreshing movement and the incorporation of flags.

“The color guard strives to increase the energy and school spirit of the band,” Blaydes said.

[Updated Aug. 7, 2017: This article has been reformatted for consistency.]

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Dance program adds color guard to complement band