New to the winter scene was the

Irondale Middle School Color Guard which performed at both the drumline and color guard shows at the Winter Music of the Knight. The crowds seemed to really like the enthusiasm and fun the 14 members were having fun as they performed to “Jump” by VanHalen using the popular Glee version of the famous 1980’s tune. They were instructed by the Irondale Open Guard seniors and captains with direction by staff member Becky Gallagher.

 

The fourteen 6-8^th grade middle schoolers wore black, purple and red velvet uniforms and performed on a red floor. This group only had 6 rehearsals but put together very enjoyable and entertaining performances. Congratulations to the Middle School Color Guard on their inaugural season!!! Look for more of them in the future!

 

The Irondale A Class Winter Guard is back after a 14 year hiatus. The 2010 program entitled Viva La Vida with music of the same name by Coldplay has become a favorite in the local North Star Color Guard Circuit. In their first show the 17 member A Guard placed third in A Class out of 8 guards, showing they will be a group you will need to contend with this season. The show is receiving good marks in design and performance and with the team’s ever growing talent their execution scores will continue to move up as well. More importantly, it seems to be a crowd pleaser and entertainment is what it is all about!

 

The Irondale Open Winter Guard is in its 21st season and is off to a very successful season. The 10 member guard is competing at a very high level this year with their show entitled “If You Live Through This…” with music by Stars. The program shows off the strength and talent of this talented group with difficult movement and equipment passages. The group is entering a stage an Irondale guard has not entered since about 2004 which is very exciting.

 

Both high school groups just returned from the WGI Kansas City Regional where the A Class guard was up against 30 guards with national experience and had a very good performance which placed them 18^th overall. The Open Guard went head to head with another nationally ranked Scholastic Open guard and took a first place trophy at the national regional! Congratulations to both guards on a great showing at Kansas City. Both were well received by the savvy audience which is a feat in and of itself.

 

Look for the guards at these upcoming competitions.