Heather Graham's Must-See Guard Shows Of 2019
Heather Graham's Must-See Guard Shows Of 2019
Read through some recommendations from Heather Graham of each class of WGI's guard division that you will not want to miss live during the 2019 season!
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With 2019 WGI Regionals starting to fill everyone's weekends, fans and performers alike get to focus on a brand new year of incredible productions, new ideas, and impressive stand-out performances. Across all classes, I was able to find some early season programs to highlight and appreciate as we get a taste of what’s in store for WGI World Championships 2019.
Below you will find 10 groups you will not want to miss seeing live this season, all of them will also be heading to Dayton, OH for the 2019 WGI World Championships in April.
Billerica Memorial HS - Scholastic A
After a very successful 2018 season, Billerica Memorial is on pace to have another incredible program as they perform their 2019 production, “The Crown.”
Dressed in elegant, flowy uniforms the members are able to engage the crowd with multiple moments of high risk and stunning execution. Every member is delivering impressive skills with complete overall control. Their strong sabre line carries the first half of the production by displaying skills in large numbers that you do not want to miss and will inevitably bring you to applause.
Bright colored flags and rifles dance quickly across the floor in the show, utilizing the stage and a high level of demand asked of the performers to lead the eye from one event to another.
Billerica Memorial is remarkable on all pieces of equipment and with their movement, but what makes them stand out is their capabilities on a flag paired with the number of exposed moments they are able to deliver. 2019 will be a year you do not want to miss A Class Finals back in the UD Arena on Friday Night and have the opportunity to catch awe-inspiring guards like Billerica Memorial perform.
Icon Winterguard - Independent A
Coming from Los Angeles, California, Icon Winterguard returns to Independent A class with their 2019 production, “Break Some Ice.”
Dressed in a variety of black individualized outfits, Icon uses numerous circular platforms staged around the floor plus an exemplary display balance to challenge the performers early in their show. With great use of floor coverage, challenging releases and catch positions and quick transitions to features, they continue to impress me.
Ensemble mixed rifle and sabre phrases spread across the floor showcasing the versatility of the members as well, as a high level of talent on display. This show is certainly a fun, crowd-pleaser that will be exciting to watch develop as they work their way through the season towards championships.
Icon is a risk-taking color guard that challenges their performers on all equipment with a great deal of responsibility. With this risk, I am certain we will see great reward and appreciation of their 2019 production from the community.
Palm Desert HS - Scholastic Open
Presenting their 2019 program, “Time’s Up,” Palm Desert High School is a must watch this season, showing off strong performers that are all capable of spinning weapon, flag, and dancing at an with beautiful quality. In 2019, they are bringing new and interesting ways to manipulate the equipment with the body.
With a powerful message and strong, consistent performers, they display a number of impressive skills and features that show the performers understand the weight of the equipment and the ability to work from all parts. Their show includes exciting vignettes that transition into powerful ensemble moments—the sheer number of high school members spinning all pieces of equipment is mesmerizing.
The level of training at this high school is evident and the confidence that the young performers have makes them look extremely mature in the Scholastic Open class. It will certainly be an exciting season for Palm Desert High School, and this program will be an unforgettable display of charisma within a great story.
Fishers High School - Scholastic Open
Always a crowd pleaser and a typical Open Class finalist, Fishers High School is proud to present their 2019 production, “A Self-Evident Truth.” Dressed in a sophisticated black unitard on a light blue tarp, Fishers delivers a mature and technical program.
Showcasing their strong, distinctive movement skills and breathtaking soloists, their performers seem to move and blend with one another with a great sense of style and quality. A beautiful soundtrack brings the performers opportunities to explore numerous emotions throughout the production and deliver consecutive breathtaking moments.
Minutely detailed weapon lines, strong design, a demanding ensemble flag feature, and consistency from performer to performer brings about highly rewardable moments and highlight Fishers' achievement on the highest level.
After some early season success in Indianapolis, it's about an exciting season for the 2019 Fishers Open guard. Don’t miss out on their great display of technical ownership and professionalism in a program based on a great message—unity.
Origins Independent - Open
Returning to Open Class after an extremely successful inaugural season, Origins presents their 2019 production, “Though I Walk.”
Featuring their huge, talented cast list, classy design, and overall creativity within their production and choreography—2019 will make for a special year for Origins. Their notable organic ensemble movement choreography and an impressive equipment book surround the performers while they showcase a great deal of maturity and ability to work in and out of different responsibilities.
Numerous large ensemble weapon and flag moments will allow the audience to appreciate their talent and demand being placed on the performers. The variety in their soundtrack allows Origins to take us on a journey throughout their production and rely on one another to execute at extreme tempos.
The excitement is paralleled with the achievement within this production—nonstop from start to finish and another contender for fan favorite. Do not miss the opportunity to see Origins 2019 live and be impressed by their sophistication and their high level of expertise.
Main Line - Independent Open
Starting the season off with a strong first showing at the South Brunswick Regional, Main Line Independent presents their 2019 production, “The Dress Maker.” The storyline follows one individual as the dressmaker, while the props and floor pieces are utilized to enhance the overall production value and give the performer more opportunities to interact with their environment.
Exposed rifle moments and clean, intricate flag phrases show off the performers’ awareness and capability to maintain form and checkpoints over long phrases. Exciting staging and design give each section their own opportunity to deliver impressive moments, and the performers the ability to exemplify their superior stamina and control.
The combination of strong, impressive hands, adorable props and confident performers allow for great moments of interaction and a variety of skills as they incorporate one another to enhance the overall show. The ensemble flag feature on a bright red flag will undoubtedly pop off the black curtain at UD Arena. 2019 is another strong year within the Independent Open Class and it will be exciting to see Main Line Independent continue on their journey to world championships, bringing the crowd along the way.
Lyman High School - Scholastic World
Coming to WGI for the very first time in Scholastic World class, Lyman High School performs their 2019 program, “A Love Triangle.”
Their always impressive and famous movement skills are on display this year in their show as Lyman performs a nonstop, exciting, and jam-packed soundtrack that will likely begs of thunderous audience reactions. They are holding their own already in 2019, competing in the ever-difficult Tampa area. Lyman is already bringing their infectious energy into the arena plus confident flair.
Wearing bright red sequined tops and black pants, they use their confident hands to impress the audience. Also in their "utility belt" is their passion within the performance and ability to maintain their stamina to the very end—all the way to finishing with an impressive ensemble movement phrase.
Bright mirror props bring more sparkle to their production and unveil different stages and challenges to incorporate into the performance. High energy, high risk and a high level of achievement will continue to push Lyman to entertain and accomplish amazing things within the 2019 season.
Avon High School - Scholastic World
Reigning WGI Scholastic World Class Champions, Avon High School has already wowed the community with their show, “O’ Night Divine.” Coming back this competitive season with a risk-taking ensemble, Avon features equipment and movement phrases well beyond the typical scholastic world class realm.
Playing off the setting and soundtrack of a Dayton dry cleaner, they utilize numerous props to enhance already incredibly difficult and easily rewardable skills many times throughout their program. Their performers are dressed in a variety of differently embellished costumes—they will dazzle the crowd all season with their commitment to character and the ease in which they execute an extreme level of difficulty.
Their most enhanced and intricate moments come from the interdependence that Avon showcases throughout their flag and weapon books with exchanges, tight proximities, and unique new tricks and flips. Early season success has already brought about another year for the WGI community to appreciate an extreme level of talent, professionalism, and entertainment from Avon High School.
It will be exciting to continue to watch this show evolve over the course of the season and see all of the nuances and quality that will be performed with an high level of confidence and excellence up until April.
AMP Winter Guard - Independent World
AMP's 2019 program, “Immortalus Maledictum,” showcases performance and storytelling at the highest level. Dressed in long black open capes and ornate tops, the performers show off their movement and ridiculous weapon skills right at the start. Known for their capability to do extremely challenging tricks and phrases in larger numbers, the all-boy rifle line is constantly delivering moment after moment for the audience to react to and quickly adds on an equally impressive sabre line.
With a complete commitment to character, their choreography continues to highlight the musical storyline while moving quickly around the floor showcasing small ensembles in unique and intricate moments. Hard, clean catches and flag tosses are delivered one after another while transitions seamlessly incorporating the props in design and risk-taking opportunities. Their all-flag moment showcases the entire ensemble's ability to spin fast, intricate choreography in close proximity bringing the show to an exciting end.
2019 is yet again another fan favorite year for AMP World and another year to watch as they showcase their insanely talented cast members.
Diamante - Independent World
Always a crowd favorite, Diamante 2019 is performing their program, “If It’s Meant to Be.”
It is yet another year to appreciate all of the unique and distinctive qualities that Diamante brings throughout their use of the body, design, and equipment. The designers are constantly coming up with new ways to challenge the performer, most notable when they highlight weapon phrases that glide seamlessly around the performer’s body.
They begin the program with a beautiful display of movement, quality, and performance that they effortlessly transition into their always-strong and impressive weapon lines. One of the most impressive features of their show includes a large ensemble rifle line executing a precise rifle feature while carrying another member on their backs—this is certainly going to be a huge crowd moment come Dayton.
The sheer number of performers that spin weapon in this color guard is unusual and unbelievable, and will continue to be something incredibly special as the season goes on. This is one of those years that Diamante shows their ability to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout their entire breathtaking production.