With football season coming to an end, color guard has begun their transition from rehearsing for the marching band to the start of creating their winter guard show.
To guard members, the winter season is an opportunity to showcase a different side of the guard through their performances.
“Winter guard allows me to experiment with my performance and learn more skills in general because it’s so dance-based,” guard member Anshula Mannam said.
Last year, the Emerson guard had their first varsity color guard show, Ashes, a more mature and emotional piece.
“Several times in my acting, I found myself letting out real tears because of how deep I stepped into the role. The mood changes, the music, the color – it is unforgettable,” guard member Andrea Lujan said.
Being able to showcase this piece to students at the spring show was a remarkable experience for the guard members.
“It was the first time our school had seen color guard truly and what we do, and the amount of time and effort we put into what we do,” Mannam said.
This season is a bittersweet time for senior guard members as they try to make the most out of their last time performing with their teams.
“Color guard provided me with a family that I never knew I would get to have. So just being able to spend time with these people and learn things with them, I’m just so grateful for,” Mannam said.
From a humble start to Emerson’s guard program two years ago, the guard has grown exponentially. Last year, the Emerson guard’s varsity show placed fourth in WGI regionals in their first year with a varsity winter guard show.
“In size and in skill sets, each member has pushed themselves in incredible ways and grown so much as performers. I’m really proud of how far everyone has come,” Lujan said.
This year, with a more extensive guard program and the members’ dedication, Emerson’s winter guard is sure to be a force to be reckoned with.
“We all care so much about this activity and I think it really shows in the things we achieved and the things we’re going to achieve,” Mannam said.
