Color Guard FAQs
What is marching band season?
The Color Guard is most noticeably a part of the band during Fall Marching Band Season, rehearsing as one with the Band to put together the show that is performed at competitions and football game halftimes. The Color Guard is a section, like Flutes or Trumpets are sections, in order to make the whole that is the Band. For more information on marching band-type shows, check out www.dci.org.
What is winterguard season?
Winterguard Season is the competitive season involving only the Color Guard during the spring semester. A winterguard show is choreographed for a basketball-court-sized space, is performed indoors, and usually involves recorded music. The Liberty Hill Winterguard competes against schools in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and the surrounding Hill Country. In the past, the Guard has traveled overnight to Houston for competitions. For more information on the Winterguard activity, check out: www.texascolorguardcircuit.org or www.wgi.org.
Do I audition to be in the color guard?
Yes. Auditions are an opportunity for prospective new members to learn how to spin a flag and see if the Color Guard activity might be a good fit for them, as well as for the instructor to see if the student has the attitude and work ethic for Color Guard. No one who has ever been a member of the Liberty Hill Color Guard has known how to spin a flag before they auditioned! The Instructor will teach prospective members beginning flag technique. No previous dance experience is necessary, only helpful.
Do I need to be enrolled in the color guard class to be in the color guard?
Yes. The class is listed under Fine Arts – Dance, as “7104 Dance 1 – Colorguard”. It is a single-blocked class. Students will receive Fine Arts credit, and will receive a waiver of Physical Education for each semester. If, after auditions, a prosective member makes the team, the Band Director will help the member work with the Counselors to get enrolled in the class.
Can I still change my schedule after auditions?
Yes. The Color Guard Instructor and the Band Director will help facilitate the schedule changes with the Counselors.
Do I have to be enrolled in band to be in the colorguard?
No. Color Guard, while part of the Band, is a separate class in school. Many members have never played an instrument!
Is color guard the same thing as ROTC?
No. The Liberty Hill Color Guard is proud to be a part of the Liberty Hill Panther Band and is not affiliated with the military.
What is the time commitment involved with the color guard?
In order to be great, the Color Guard puts in hours of rehearsal outside of class. Rehearsal attendance is always mandatory for members, because Color Guard is a team activity. Therefore, the entire team must rehearse for the entire team to get better. Rehearsal, while rigorous, is fun, too! – Members are learning and improving with their friends on something that everyone enjoys doing. In the thick of the two competitive seasons, a member should expect to be involved up to eight hours a week outside of class, not including performances.
What is the academic commitment involved with color guard?
Because of the No Pass/No Play rule, each member must make the academic commitment to their schoolwork in order to be a performing member of the color guard. It is disappointing to everyone on the team when a member puts many rehearsal hours into a show, and doesn’t get to perform it because of a failing grade! Successful color guard members keep up with their schoolwork.
What is the financial commitment involved with color guard?
The largest financial outlay comes with joining, as new members are required to buy a personalized wind suit (just under $100) that will last them as long as they are in the Liberty Hill Color Guard. Typically, every year members purchase one uniform for the marching band show, and another uniform for the winterguard show, as the subject matter and design of both shows are usually very different - typically the uniforms cost around $100 each.
Members also need to purchase shoes, gloves, show makeup, bobby pins/hair elastics/hairspray, and sometimes leotards and tights, depending on the uniform. There are many opportunities for members to fundraise through the Band Boosters throughout the year. The Band Boosters cover all costs related to equipment and props.