I stand at attention, waiting with a calm air about me for the Drum Major to begin the show. My heart is beating wildly and my mind buzzes with nervous last- second thoughts.
The whole field seems to burst to life as the band be- gins their melody, a bright fortissimo that brings all eyes to the mass of marchers. As music is not something that can be seen, the thing to catch the eyes of the onlookers is the flash of multicolored silk and the sparkle of glitter catching the bright stadium lights.
From the bleachers, the audience is able to see the intricate choreography of the performers, as we handle our flagpoles with as much grace as we can muster.
We are known to be the colorguard, the visual counterpart to the marching band. We guard members provide color and mood to the band’s music by using body movement and handling flags, rifles, sabers as well as other props and equipment.
The task is most certainly not an easy one for someone who has only been a member for one previous season, not even the captains who have been members their entire high school careers.
“It has been four years now [since I joined],” senior Gabriella Vasquez said, one of the two guard captains. “I was one of those people who thought colorguard was flag-twirlers, and that it would be easy.”
We are trained during the summers and well into the school year to toss and spin weaponry, which has been remodeled to be as safe as possible and to maneuver a flagpole, all while marching and hitting spots on the field. After various guard practices and two weeks of band camp before school actually starts, the whole band practices a total of 11 and a half hours a week to get the show memorized before our first competition. The goal: Superior band rating.
Despite all of the hard work, it really is a terribly fun pastime.
“It’s frustrating and hard, but it is also fun, and I like it a lot,” freshman Kierra Payne, a new member of the band family this year said.
Despite all the sweat and sore muscles, each season leaves us with a smile on our faces. Each practice contains just as much laughter as noises of frustration. There are many jokes we have between our group of nine girls, and even our instructor Allen Wiley. The choreography that Wiley comes up with is also a contribution to our joy.
“[I like] the dances, and the different types of choreography we have to do,” Payne said.
Every guard member has a favorite piece of equipment. For example, I am partial to rifle, though we are not using it in the show this year, while other prefer flag or saber.
While weaponry is fun, it is easier to get hurt while handling it.