Marcus J. Hopkins, here, ready to bring you Week #2 of FloMarching's 2019 WGI Guard Live Blog. This week, we're covering the 2019 WGI Indianapolis Guard Regional Day 2.

We're about to get started with Independent A at 9:00 AM ET (8:00 AM Central/6:00 AM Pacific...if anyone over there is up, that early). The Live Blogging will commence with Purdue University Winter Guard in Independent A Class.

Independent A

Perdue University Winter Guard

As an alumnus of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps (Guard 2001-2003), Purdue University's track, "Rocky Point Holiday," by Ron Nelson, holds a special place in my heart. #FHNSAB

Nice accent on that toss, flags!

Beautiful job on the ensemble flag hit during the Scarlet O'Hara section, Perdue. You've got a lot of great things happening, and I look forward to seeing you throughout the season.

Collage: Program - "I Remember"

Very nice contrasting colors between the floor and the blue flags. Nicely designed. Great flag exchange, as well.

I'm a big fan of that rifle port catch on the silence.

Excellently timed 45º toss around the circle, green flags.

Great job, Collage!

Slippery Rock University Winter Guard: Program - "Snapshots of Seville"

Nothing like the music of Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" in the morning.  Fantastic incorporation of the picture frames with the work, and that ending flag feature is a treat!

Onyx A: Program - "Malagueña"

Nice opening movement segment, Onyx A!

I'm really enjoying the symmetrical design of this show. It really requires a lot from performers to master work on both hands. Well done.

VERY nice splash of color with those bronze lamé flags.

Very nice start to the day, Independent A. So far, I've heard two out of the four songs I marched to at Cadets in 2003 - Rocky Point Holiday and Malagueña. Needless to say, I'm having fun with this day.

Scholastic A

New Palestine HS: Program - "A League of Her Own"

I'm loving this baseball diamond floor.

Nice contrast between the red flags and the baseball field. The flags are having a great morning, as is that rifle soloist who just pulled off a wicked six.

Excellent use of contrary motion in the back, baseball flags.

Middletown HS: Program - "Time for Art"

Nice roll under that toss, flag soloist!

Superb opening flag feature with a flag that's hard to clean (because of the white stripes).

Nice five, rifles.

I really appreciate the minimalist design of this show - the cross on the floor that divides the stage into quadrants and the use of a single flag design throughout is a smart choice.  Well done, Middletown.

Lafayette HS: Program - "Rain Song"

This floor is gorgeous!

Beautiful body underneath that sabre work, with excellent control of both body and equipment.

Excellent musicality in this rifle writing, Lafayette, and great technique throughout the rifle line.

Very nice hard stop on that ensemble 45º toss, mid-phrase, purple flags.

Mooresville HS: Program - "In Every Word"

Good use of the two-sided uniforms - black on the back; teal on the front; creates a very nice visual effect depending upon the performers' facings.

I'm just now noticing that the props are silhouettes of human beings. #GoingBlindWithAge

Nice exchange, flags.

There's some very strong underlying technique, weapons.

The ensemble flag feature with the gradations of blue is a very nice visual effect, and the work is very well executed, Mooresville. Great job, also, designers, for matching the gradation of the flags to the fade on the revealed colored side of the human being props. Well done!

Carmel HS A: Program - "Pitch Black"

(Be careful coming up those bleacher steps, Sam. Don't trip...ohhhh...)

Fantastic opening movement book, Carmel A.

I dig the transition into the original version of the Rolling Stones' "Paint it Black." Nice flag entrance.

Nice choice to end the show on a color conceal, rather than a color reveal.

Carroll HS (Indiana): Program - "Operator"

These dresses are so nice. The way they open when the performers turn is such a nice visual effect.

Great consistency from person to person in the dance line. Excellent technique and consistency on the stretch and heights in the développé.

For those who've designed flags, we all know that, whenever you put a light-colored stripe/spot/shape on a dark flag, it's wicked hard to look "clean." The least little timing issue shows up like a spotlight in a dark room. Carroll does a great job of overcoming that design axiom, however, and they look great.

Franklin Community HS: Program - "One in Five"

Wow...Franklin Community.  What an amazingly powerful opening statement. 

A masterful add-on flag entrance from Side One. Incredibly musical flag writing to go with it.

Beautiful layering of the work in the ensemble flag section. Another flag design that's tough to clean, because of the white spot in the middle of that ribbon, but, again...very well achieved.

Very cool effect with the lights behind the white props creating shadows. Very effect.

Wow...this has the potential to be one of the most powerful messages of the season.

Keep up the good work, Franklin Community HS.

Zionsville Community HS: Program - "Fly Me Into the Moon"

I love this photo of the moon, on this floor. I believe the prominent circle is Mare Humorum. Also, this flag line is amazing, today.

I can't talk enough about this flag writing. So well written, layered, and executed. The perfect balance between technical skill and a gentle motif, with an emphasis on excellent control of both body and equipment.

That's the end of A Class Competition, today. We'll be back, after the break, at 10:53 AM Eastern. Great job, to all the fantastic guards in A Class!

Open Class - here we come!

Scholastic Open

Decatur Central: Program - "The Dog Pound Blues"

Annnnnd, we're back with Decatur HS. This is their first year in Scholastic Open after medaling in Scholastic A at the 2018 WGI Championships. Their show features one of my favorite Queen songs, "Somebody to Love."

Very nice roll underneath that rifle six duet, Decatur!

Somebody find meeeeeee....somebody TOOOOOO *45º toss* love.

I love it!

Greenwood Community HS:

This is a really interesting cover of Björk's "Hunter," from her 1997 album, Homogenic. 

Sea Foam Green really is a very underused color in guard. We need more of it.

"MOAR SEA FOAM!!!"

For those of not aware, this show's design inspiration is about the Viking explorations of parts of the world not yet known to most of Europe, including Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland. These began in the 8th Century and into the 11th Century, and they even made it as far as North America...500 years before the earliest Western European explorations. The set pieces for Greenwood include a crashed Viking longboat and sail, as well as rocks like those appearing on the rocky coasts.

Also, what a fantastic and musical ensemble flag feature. I asked for more Sea Foam, and I got it. I am very pleased, Greenwood. My Sea Foam craving has been sated.

Hamilton Southeastern HS: Program - "Love's Pawn"

This show is another one with a neat design. The game of chess is, and always has been, a representation of strategic warfare - hence, the sandbags at the three corners of Hamilton Southeastern's floor.

This show includes an amazing pair of covers of love-inspired songs from the 1980s - Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" and Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield."

I'm going to take a stab and surmise that the second flag in this show - a white flag - is representative of "surrender."

Fun Fact: The first historical usage of a white flag flown to surrender occurred during the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the West, Roman historian, Cornelius Tacitus, first wrote about a white flag being used for that purpose in 109 CE.

Naperville Central HS: Program - "The Empty Chair"

There's an interesting opportunity for color guard/drum corps/winds/indoor drum line to tell compelling stories with their shows. Naperville Central's program, "The Empty Chair," is a poignant is a reminder of this power we have to tell stories. This one tells the story of those left behind when loved ones die in battle.

There are so many great moments in this show that really make excellent use of silence and the sound of equipment cutting the air (e.g. - flags opening during a silent count).

Quiet shows are always a dangerous gamble because of the exposed nature of equipment sounds. If a flag tip hits the floor or somebody drops, everybody can hear it. Trust me - I've been that person. It's super embarrassing.

Thank you, Naperville Central, for a very moving program.

Homestead HS: Program - "The Traveler's Mindset"

This program has a lot of interesting staging opportunities involving these doorway props. Depending on the direction the doorways face, Homestead can create intriguing visual effects by moving performers into, out of, and through the openings to hide and reveal performers, making the guard look either smaller or larger, depending on how many performers we can "see."

Homestead makes excellent use of the "Brown and Blue" color scheme. Brown, being a "Warm Color" contrasts well with blue, a "Cool Color." The blue flag ensemble feature is the best example of this design motif.

Centerville HS: Program - "Oh, My NOLA" (New Orleans)

Centerville's program is an ode to New Orleans, replete with fleurs-de-lis and the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green.

Fun Fact: These colors became the official colors of Mardis Gras in 1872, when a group of businessmen invented the title of King of the Carnival, Rex, to preside over the first daytime parade. To honor the visitingRussian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff, the businessmen introduced Romanoff's family colors of purple, green and gold as Carnival's official colors. Purple stands for justice; gold for power; and green for faith. This was also the Mardi Gras season that Carnival's improbable anthem, "If Ever I Cease to Love," was cemented, due in part to the Duke's fondness for the tune.

That was a really fantastic ensemble flag feature during that saxophone solo during the Bourbon Street segment. Great timing.

LaPorte HS:

LaPorte's program is inspired by seagulls - the movement and the design are representative of a seagull winging through the air.

Also, can we talk about this flag line? This writing is phenomenal. SOOOOOO filled with breath and release. Just glorious.

Marian Catholic HS: Program - "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

Rifles - you bettah' get it!

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is Oscar Wilde's only full-length novel, and was, by far, one of his most controversial. Talented young artist, Basil Hallward paints an oil painting of a handsome young man, Dorian Gray, whom Basil counts as his muse. While posing for the painting, hedonist, Lord Henry Wotton (an approximation of "wanton") observes the sessions and speaks at length about his worldview which convinces Dorian to believe that the only aspect of life worth pursuing is beauty. Lord Henry convinces him to make a wish that he will stay forever young and beautiful.

After the session, Dorian pursues a life of decadence and sin, none of which affects his appearance in any way. Instead, these sins and excesses are imbued upon the oil painting, which absorbs all of Dorian's evil deeds, taking on all of Dorian's worst qualities and aging while Dorian, himself, remains young and beautiful. Seeing this, Dorian locks away the painting so no one can see it transform. 

Eventually, the painting is so grotesque and distorted that only Basil can recognize it as his own. Realizing that Basil could expose him, Dorian murders Basil in a fit of rage. Overcome by grief and a troubled conscience, Dorian stabs the painting with the same knife he used to kill Basil, thus releasing all at once all the evil and rage the painting has absorbed onto him. The next day, the servants find the body of an old man who has been stabbed in the heart, and assume that Dorian has fled the premises.

Marian Catholic's floor embodies this with the running colors on the floor, and does an amazing job of responding to the vocal cues from the reading. That ending flag statement (on the black flag) is just a decadent treat of excellent phrasing and technique.

Milford HS (Ohio): Program - "Fallen"

Milford is making excellent use of this dichromatic color scheme. Again, these translucent silks really are an amazing visual element.

That flag writing around the circle was phenomenal.

Oh, yes, ensemble flag toss!

Ben Davis HS: Program - "War of Words"

I can't say enough good things about this movement book.

This program is really just..."lush," is the best way to describe it. It's still early in the season, so there's time to get cleaner...but, honestly, there are just so many great design elements.

Fishers HS: Program - "A Self-Evident Truth"

That flag phrase, written to the speech sample, was really well done, Fishers. Thank you!

I know it makes me sound wicked old, but every time I see flags tossed during a quiet song, I fully expect to hear the sound of bolts (weights) clinking against the insides of the poles, thus ruining the audio effect.  It was SO NICE that Fisher's ensemble flag toss didn't feature a SINGLE "CLANK!" at the end of that beautiful flag statement. Thank you, for that.

Independent Open

Marian University Enso: Program - "Reborn - A Never-Ending Cycle"

Nice flag exchange around the circle, Enso.

In virtually every form of art, from architecture to ancient pictographic languages, circles have consistently served as a representation of "life" - a never-ending figure; a cycle from birth, to death, to rebirth. 

That was some awesome partner work between the flags and rifles.

Interesting Exeunt, Enso.  I like that, when the performers are forced off the floor by the fold, the performers leave the stage. Nice.

Phoenix Independent: Program - "Exposed"

Nice opening set, with the guard in the shape of a camera lens shutter.

Phoenix's performers move incredibly well with their equipment.  Excellent body underneath the work.

Nice add-on flag feature, Phoenix.

Another brief break, and we'll be back with Scholastic World at 1:04 PM Eastern!

Scholastic World

Greenfield-Central HS: Program - "I'll Push You"

Very nice opening movement and rifle soloist.

As someone who became a teen in the 1990s, can I just say how nice it is to see flannel shirts tied around the waist, again? I can? Okay. Good. I LOVED doing that.

(Also - this song, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," by the Pretenders, was a classic 90s hit.)

Very nice ensemble flag moment, with that final toss into the ground. Keep it up, Greenfield-Central!

Northview HS: Program - "Tales from My Inner Voice"

Very nice use of opposing gradients and forced perspective on the floor.

Also, I'm loving this opening movement.  Use of breath noises can be SUCH a great moment.

That's a cool optical illusion with the blue flags blending and disappearing with the floor.

The use of forced perspective, here, make the props (and performers) closer to the front of the floor look larger, while those in the back appear smaller. Optical illusions are awesome in winter guard.

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park: Program - "Britney - Dreams and Tragedies of the Original Doll"

Plymouth-Canton is enjoying their first year in Scholastic World after finishing 2nd at last year's WGI Scholastic Open Class Championships. This show is a bold step into that world, and a unique take on Britney Spears' life that we haven't seen in guard.

That was one cute jump-turn-around under that six, rifles.

This rifle line has some hands - hard as nails on every catch.

This ending rifle section - those rotations are insane!

Bellbrook HS: Program - "The Rainbow Bridge"

Great, Bellbrook - now, you're going to make me cry.

So many beautiful moments in this show. If I'm not typing, it's because I'm paying attention to the show, instead.

Beautiful color reveal, Bellbrook.

Thank you...

Shenendehowa HS: Program - "Vida Laboral"

So, I LOVE this movement book. It fully embodies the "tree frog" character, and I can't get enough of it.

That show is just a visual feast for the eyes. I was entranced watching the whole thing.

Warren Central HS: Program - "Finding Your Roots"

Dichromatic color schemes really seem to be "in," this season. Warren Central's performers look amazing doing this work and movement.

What. A. Show, Warren Central. I'm a fan.

Norwin HS: Program - "Out of My Mind"

I'm going to be working up a story on this show, this season. This live singer is a POWERHOUSE. You bettah' get it, girl.

This flag line is letting us HAVE IT, right now!

The inside of these props - with the mirrored sides - create a really rockin' visual effect with the performers inside of them.

GET IT, sabres!

Oh, come on! Are you KIDDING ME?! Nobody should be this good in February!

Miamisburg HS: Program - "Yesterday's Tomorrow"

I always love a good sundial prop.

These flags are gorgeous, and the layering of the writing is so well done.

Another gorgeously designed flag. Kudos to you, Miamisburg.

Such an amazing show.

Center Grove HS: Program - "Finding Peace"

Such great use of a vibrating color palette to contrast against the peaceful music. It's a great design aesthetic.

The flags on those yellow pinwheel flags are just amazingly talented spinners.

The ease with which these performers spin their rifles is utterly enviable. Such maturity in a high school program...

Carmel HS: Program - "A Lot of Strength Left"

Such a departure from last year's program. A move in a far more serious direction and tone.

That sabre writing was just perfect. Such delicacy and nuance.

Excellent accent on that rifle six on "can't". Masterful.

That ending flag toss is going to be amazing come Dayton.

Avon HS: Program - "O' Night Divine"

I had to check the time. I swore this was Pride. These performers spin like an IW guard. SUCH maturity.

If I had been able to spin like this when I was in high school...good GOD, these kids are amazing.

That flag feature...

HOW ARE THESE KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL?!

Independent World

Juxtaposition: Program - "1955"

Apparently, full-size automobiles are the prop du jour in 2019. CGT Dallas and Juxta both like them.

One thing I love about Juxtaposition's shows is that their performers always sell the crap out of their shows. 1955 is a real departure from last year's program, and yet, these performers manage to perfectly capture both the innocence and budding teen rebellion of the 1950s teen generation.

They move so well, and spin beautifully. Just a great crop of performers with a memorable show. Count me in.

Lexis: Program - "Sleeping Alone"

This program has a lot of great things going on in it. There are really smart staging choices with the bed, some really great writing in every section with excellent use of breath, contraction, release, and holds in the work that perfectly emphasize both the lyrical lines and the silence in between musical phrases, and designing the flags to look like silk bedsheets really completes the visual package.

Excellent control of the body on those final movement moments - it takes a huge amount of strength to slow the momentum when you're doing what are essentially handstands and walkovers.

Bluecoats Indoor

This show reminds me very much of late-90s Emerald Marquis, in terms of design aesthetic, use of color, and style. (That's a great thing).

That flag statement on the ramp, with the orange flags? Perfection.

Thank you, rifles, for that catch and turn.

There's something about Jim Moore and Greg Lagola's flag writing that just makes me want to cry at its beauty, especially when it's performed this well.

Onyx: Program - "Shelter in Place"

What will Onyx give us in 2019? More excellent movement, for one thing.

This is at least the second year that Onyx has done this interesting visual thing with their flags - each flag has strips cut out of it, which changes the shape of the silk. It's a neat visual effect.

(For those wondering, the art movement displayed on the floor is called "Geometric Abstraction." This movement was popularized by Piet Mondrian whose geometric art was heavily relied upon for design in the 1980s pop art.)

That rifle toss into a catch at straight up and down was nice.

Onyx gives us an ensemble flag feature, and I heartily approve.

Pride of Cincinnati: Program - "Another Door Opens"

I cannot say enough great things about this show design. Such an excellent use of color, set design, staging, and music. Every aspect of this show is designed to become a winter guard classic; a masterclass in design and execution.

I love it when a guard uses their props, and uses them well. Sometimes, props can just be...stationary. This fabulous use of the props to make the performers appear and disappear, with multiple entrances is just superb.

The teal flags are gorgeous against both the floor and the props. I could watch this show on a loop.

IN EXHIBITION

Serendipity: Program - "Kindness"

Serendipity is one of the few color guard programs for special needs performers in the U.S., and was the first program of its kind in Indiana. The program brings together performers, volunteers, and students from the 3 Intermediate  Academies, 3 Middle Schools, and Warren Central High School to help create a wonderful opportunity for social interaction and expression through color guard.

This program is a perennial favorite amongst the WGI scene, and we hope that you enjoyed their 2019 show, "Kindness."

Excellent work, Serendipity!

That's it, for tonight's Live Blogging of the 2019 WGI Indianapolis Color Guard Regional. What a fantastic two days of guard! We will return next weekend for South Brunswick, NJ Regional. This is Marcus J. Hopkins signing off for the night.