Wilson High School Colorguard

In the summer of '97 I became the colorguard instructor for a local high school, Woodrow Wilson High School, to be exact. Many of you are probably wondering what exactly is a colorguard. A colorguard team is a group of individuals that use props such as flags, ribbons, rifles, and sabers with an occasional dance step while they march and highlight the marching band. They usually march during half time at football games. Occasionally they will perform half time for basketball but then they would be performing by themselves, not with the band. They also perform during parades and participate in competitions.

The marching band and colorguard are a new program at Wilson. They have not had a marching program in 7 years. It has been a slow process finding the funds for the program and building intrest. After a successful first season the intrest has increased.

The Fall '98 season has begun. This year the band is performing music from the movie STAR WARS. The band and guard have worked extremely hard on this particular program. The music and drill are both challenging but everyone has put a lot of effort into making it a great show. The band gets envolved with the guard by using various props such as streamers and light sabres.

Do to the lack of funds the band and colorguard will only be performing at two competitions. On October 17th the band and guard will perform at their first competition, The  Sunset Classic. The following weekend on October 24th, they will perform at their second and final competition, Sprague High School. They again will be performing at the Meire & Frank Thanksgiving Day Parade. The spring parades have not been scheduled. Since they placed 3rd in last springs Starlight Parade they may eligible to perform in the Rose Festival Parade which ends the festivities.

Last season the marching band and colorguard performed during half time at a Lewis & Clark and a Portland State University football game along with their home school games. On November 1st, 1997 they competed in their first competition at University of Oregon. On Thanksgiving Day they performed at the Meire & Frank Thanksgiving day Parade that marched through downtown Portland. March '98 they flew down to sunny California where they marched down Main Street at Disneyland. They also performed at Universal Studios. In May the group performed at the annual Starlight Parade which kicks off the Portland Rose Festival. They placed 3rd.

This group has put a lot of effort, time, and hard work in making their first season a success. I am proud to be apart of such a great group. I look forward to working with them in the future.