Date: Fri 30-Jan-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

winter-guard-Minnock-NHS

Full Text:

All Flags Flying: NHS Color Guard Brings The Music To Life

(with photos)

BY SHANNON HICKS

Color guards bring music to life. These groups of performers present routines

set to music using various props. This weekend, Newtown High School's winter

guard will show just how exciting guard performances can be, when Newtown

hosts its first annual Invitational competition.

Last year, Newtown High School students joined a growing trend of color guard

groups that have winter guards. While color guards have been traditionally

associated with outdoor performances during fall athletic competitions, and in

the case of Newtown's color guard an additional performance during the music

department's annual pops concert in the spring, the winter months have in the

past been quiet months for color guard members.

Not any more. Growing numbers of color guards across the country have been

coordinating groups called winter guards - members of the color guard who wish

to continue with practices, performances and competitions indoors during the

winter months. Color and winter guards, while most commonly associated with

high school-age participants, can be formed by students from middle schools or

even by private groups of people who like to perform.

"Color and winter guard is all about showing people music," says Kara Kunst, a

freshman at Newtown High School and a member of this year's guard. "It's

making music visual, and making it come alive."

"It's also a visual interpretation of music," added Alexandra Zaleta, a senior

and one of this year's co-captains. "The guard accompanies the marching band,

and gives its own performances during the winter time. Through the use of

flags and rifles and other props, a story is usually told. Not all color

guards do that, but we always try to make a point of telling some kind of

story."

Being a member of the guard is just about a year-round commitment. Practices

for color guard run all summer, with a two- or three-week jaunt to band camp.

Field show season is September through November. Winter guard then runs

November through April, and includes an appearance at the St Patrick's Day

Parade. Around the time the guard is ready to perform at the NHS Spring Pops

Concert, it's time to start recruiting new members.

Winter guard, like the members of the full color guard, is a very dedicated,

responsible, committed group of young women. At Newtown, of the 34 members of

color guard, 24 of the girls - including 16 seniors - are now participating in

winter guard.

Anyone who commits herself to being on Newtown's color or winter guard really

learns the meaning of commitment. The squad has a self-imposed policy

concerning absences (no more than five are allowed per season) and substance

abuse. Neither are tolerated. Breaking the rules means being taken out of the

guard for one year.

Newtown's group is self-supported in terms of paying for its equipment and

costumes. Aside from the input from Avril Fraser, the group's

choreographer/coordinator, who plans the group's routines, and the guidance of

their faculty advisor, Jay Daly, the winter guard also almost runs itself.

In its inaugural season last year, the winter guard took home first place at

both the Open Championships and the Tri-State Championships. The guard

performed a show set to the song "Cuban Pete," from the feature film The Mask

.

When Tara Kareta says, "We had a successful first season," it's a bit of an

understatement, especially considering it was Newtown's first time competing

during the winter.

Seniors Kimberley Minnock and Alexandra Zaleta are this year's co-captains.

Winter guard practices are twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday nights at

Hawley School. Practices are dedicated to working on basic skills with props,

and working on the steps for the guard's production piece.

This year's production is an interpretation of Peter Pan . Avril Fraser has

choreographed a piece using Gershwin's Concerto in F . Alexandra explained

that while the final production will be a full performance of Avril's Peter

Pan piece, the entire season is devoted to adding to and improving upon the

guard's performance. "It's kind of boring to watch a group do the same

performance nine times in one season," she said. "So you work on it each time

you compete, so it's different, and hopefully better." Not surprisingly,

Newtown's motto is "We Are The Music."

Guard members have been working diligently to have their costumes ready by

next weekend. They will not be ready in time for the Invitational, but they

will be ready for this year's first competition. Most of the outfits are

finished; the next step is to come up with the flats that will serve as props

during each performance/competition.

Not only are the girls involved in winter guard as dedicated as their

year-round counterparts, but the winter group is extremely tight.

"Winter guard is very close-knit," Katie Hayes said this week. "Even more so

than marching season. For winter guard, we make our own show, we really

develop our identity."

Kara Kunst says being in color and winter guard has helped make the transition

from middle to high school much easier than she expected. She said she enjoys

the fact color and winter guard is not a group that holds try-outs; members

just need to be dedicated. "It helped to be able to come into such a nice

environment," she said. "Going into the guard, you know you are making some

friends."

"We have found you either love it or it's not for you," remarked Alexandra.

"If things aren't working out, you know. You just kind of cut yourself."

The Music, In Public

The guard's first public appearance this season should feel very comfortable,

considering it is on home ground. This Saturday afternoon, the NHS Winter

Guard is hosting the first annual Newtown Invitational. Winter guards from

across Connecticut, and even a pair from New Jersey, have been invited to

Newtown High to perform and compete against each other.

Ten guard groups are participating, and Newtown plans a short performance

before the conclusion of the event. Four classes of guards will be performing,

so audience members will be given a variety of styles and levels of ability to

watch.

"Invitationals are neat because not only do you perform, but you get to see

other guards' performances, as well," says Alexandra.

The first competition of the season will be February 7. The season

championships are in Norwalk on April 25; the guard has nine shows, including

this weekend's Invitational, to appear at this year. The public is welcome to

attend any of the guard's competitive events.

The first annual Newtown Winter Guard Invitational will be Saturday, January

31. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 students and seniors. The event begins at

5:30 pm.