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Emoting Expressions
No matter what type of marching season you’re dealing with—indoor vs. outdoor or in-person vs. virtual—facial expressions are an indispensable ... -
Not Just the Flick of the Wrist
When I was a performer, we never really talked about wrist strength and flexibility, so I never realized their importance ... -
Perks of Non-Competition
The 2021 winter guard season will be very different for those who are coordinating a team. Many circuits are adding ... -
Make the Best of a Weird Season
Here we are, still in the midst of a pandemic that is impacting every aspect of our lives, including marching ... -
A Different Type of Season
The time since I wrote my last column has felt incredibly long. In spite of that, the uncertainty hasn’t changed. ... -
Strong and Accountable
As I write this column, staff and students are in a holding pattern, trying to figure out how to move ... -
Injury Prevention
Those of us who have been spinning for any extended amount of time have accumulated our fair share of injuries. ... -
Fiercely Supportive
The competitive winter guard season is picking up, and guards are debuting their 2020 productions. While we often focus on ... -
Dispelling Drama
“I would never want to teach guard. There’s too much drama.” I’ve heard this comment from band staff who work ... -
Maintain Healthy Habits
As the season wears on, and the responsibilities outside of color guard add up, some potential negative habits may impact ... -
High Schoolers in Drum Corps
The youngest participants in drum and bugle corps often make more personal tradeoffs but also potentially have the most to ... -
Leading by Following
Whether you’ve been rehearsing for a few months already or don’t get started until an August band camp, keep the ... -
Scary at First
“Isn’t that scary?” I’ve heard this question countless times from people watching tosses. Most recently, a middle school student asked ... -
Fabric on the Field and Floor
Guards often use silks beyond flags to create unique visual effects although these alternative types of equipment can be tricky ... -
The Beginning of the End
The end of the indoor season is a whirlwind every year, yet it always seems to come out of nowhere. ... -
Scoring Variances
As we get into the competitive part of the indoor guard season, scores and judge commentary start rolling in. I’ve ... -
I Like to Move It
Equipment work is easily the most recognized element of color guard, but movement is the foundation that everything builds upon. ... -
Social Media Pros and Cons
Social media has changed the way that performers, instructors, and fans interact throughout the marching seasons and beyond. Sharing via ... -
Summer to Fall—Preparing for Guard
While summer is drum corps season for part of the guard world, it’s the closest thing to an off-season for ... -
What’s Next?
Now that the school year and indoor season are over, what’s next? If you’re a graduating senior, or it’s your ... -
Practicing at Home
Instructors expect guard members to put in time conditioning, stretching, and practicing different parts of their show outside of regular ... -
Just Keep Breathing
Breath is a key aspect of successful movement, and movement affects every caption score in winter guard competition. Fuel Your ... -
Manage Inner Monologue and Mindset in Color Guard
As a performer, it’s impossible to go too long without developing an inner voice that tells you when something was ... -
Never Stop Learning
One of the great things about color guard is that you can always keep learning, regardless of your role within ... -
All in the Journey
The rush of a fantastic performance is one of the most amazing things about color guard, but performance only accounts ...
Author: Killian Weston
Killian Weston
Killian Weston is a color guard instructor and designer in southeast Michigan. She began performing with her high school marching band in 2002 and continued with college marching band and collegiate winter guard. She has taught several guard units and is a prospective judge in the Michigan Color Guard Circuit.
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