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Perfect Practice
When I first began my love affair with the color guard activity, I thought that the words “practice” and “rehearsal” ... -
Cell Phone Cleaning
The first few weeks after your color guard team has learned choreography, the routine is clean and looks awesome. And ... -
What Goes Up …
I recently had the privilege of judging the WGI Sport of the Arts World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. For me, ... -
Occupy CG
The word “occupy” is not one often used in the color guard activity. In fact, the word itself seems to ... -
The Art of Storytelling
As we jazz run our way into the winter guard season, we find the color guard performer more and more ... -
Flag Handling 101
In my travels this past field season, I have been a bit surprised to see so many guards struggling with ... -
So, You Have a New Instructor?
I recently moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and found myself instructing a new color guard. Actually, ... -
Tips for Student Leader
Some guard programs rely solely on their student leadership to create, choreograph, and clean routines. I can only imagine how ... -
Being a Leader
Being a leader is not for the faint of heart. It’s a crazy combination of hard work, heart, and soul ... -
In Pursuit of Tenths
Competition results often come down to just a matter of tenths. Such a fractional percentage of a score, yet just ... -
In the Details
At the end of each competitive season, guards across the country work hard to clean and improve nearly every aspect ... -
Wrapping, Sails and the Newbie
Happy summer! As I write this, I am sure that the majority of us are in the midst of summer ... -
Rearview Mirror
Congratulations! You made it through yet another year-long ride on the color guard coaster. It all started with the first ... -
We Are All Wobblers
Beginners and experts in a field have a lot more in common than you would think. Guard instructor Chris Casteel ... -
Fears and Fixes
In his famous inaugural speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “The only thing we have to fear is ... fear ... -
“Practice Makes Perfect” … or Does It?
Is practice the only thing it takes to make a guard perfect? There comes a time when “practicing” must shift ... -
“Even the Ears Must Dance”
Tips by color guard educator Chris Casteel on harnessing musicality in your movement and overall performance. From Halftime Magazine, a ... -
“You Gotta Find Your Core”
Developing a strong core (or trunk, as many people refer to it) is more about strengthening the group of muscles ... -
The Aftermath
Waking up the day after a performance with aches and pains seems almost unavoidable; however, this should not be the ... -
Honorable Color Guards
Honorable competitors behave in a courteous way before, during and after a show. Find out some easy ways to let ... -
Cardboard or Clay?
Color guard professional Chris Casteel inspires students to use their personal histories to mold their performances. From Halftime Magazine, a ... -
PV and Me
Production Value (PV) is a term performers may hear as part of a General Effect judge commentary. It is the ... -
Color Guard Yoga
If you haven’t already, it’s time to infuse a little yoga into your stretching routine. By color guard instructor Chris ... -
Be Positive on Criticism
Chris Casteel, a color guard instructor, writes about the value of positive criticism. From Halftime Magazine, a print publication and ... -
Guard Culture
All work and no play is not good for the guard. Add some positive culture to your guard team with ... -
The Power of the Hand
There is one expressive tool that is often undervalued by performers: the hand. Find out tips from guard instructor Chris ... -
A Strong Spine
Every art form has a spine in which the entire structure of the performance rests. As a color guard performer, ... -
Aftermath
How can performers use the moments after a show to improve their future experiences? Find out from leading color guard ... -
Counts vs. Musicality
We are at the point in field season where the counts that were once a foundation of choreography must now ... -
The Guard Journal
The summer training season is an excellent time to start a color guard journal focused on the processes of equipment, ...
Author: Chris Dillon
Chris Dillon
Chris Dillon has been involved in marching arts activity since 1981 as a performer, instructor, designer and adjudicator. Currently, she is an adjudicator for Drum Corps International, WGI Sports of the Arts, Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC), Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit, Indiana High School Color Guard Association, Texas Color Guard Circuit, and several others. She held the position of education coordinator for the WGASC for the past eight years.
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