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Color Guard 101
by David H. Bolzman, Marching Show Concepts
Color. Beauty. Motion. Probably one of the most dynamic and visually stimulating aspects of marching band is the auxiliary, sometimes called
color guard. Due to its ability to catch the eye and hold the attention of the audience, the auxiliary plays a significant part in every
successful venture on the field. Here some tips and ideas that will help provide direction, save time and alleviate headaches as it pertains
to the auxiliary.
Once the music and theme are selected for a show, work begins on the visual package. Many things contribute to the overall success of the visual package, however, we will consider a few aspects which are often ignored. First of all, what size of pole should be used for each song? The standard six foot pole works well with just about any type of music. Swing flags (oversized flags on slender PVC poles) work great for ballads and slower music. Oversized poles (7 foot or more) work great at the end of the show for a big effect or as an alternative for the swing flag. When considering the size of the flag itself, a good rule of thumb is for the sleeve length of a flag (the part that goes down the pole) to be one-half the length of the pole. A 6-foot pole would need 36 inches; a 5 1/2-foot pole would need 33 inches and so on. For swing flags, having 6 - 8 inches of pole showing from the end of the sleeve creates a nice look.
Another consideration is what type of fabric should be used for the flags? Poly china silk and lamé (also known as metallic)
fabric are the most popular. Poly china silk will hold up longer while lamé is often used to add shimmer to the flag. (Don’t
forget to use practice flags to extend the life of your beautiful show flags.) Colors are also very important – think of the mood of the
music and use colors that interpret the feelings you want to convey. (For example, red portrays passion, black conveys a sense of evil,
and neon colors generate excitement.) Playing with different colors of fabric swatches or paper and crayons is a great way to determine
the best colors to portray your show. The use of rifles, sabers, and other weapons also add interest to your show and help communicate your
story. If you choose to use any of these items, you will need to decide if you want to put everyone on weapon or just use a small
ensemble. With small guards, (less than 6 members), it is usually recommended that everyone remain on the same equipment for greater
impact.
Once the fun is over and the season has ended, it is important to preserve the beauty and life of your flags with proper storing procedures. First of all, take a picture of one flag per type (style, color, etc.). Print out the photo and write below the picture the quantity of flags for each type and what show/year they were used. Tape the picture of the flag so it is visible on the side of the clear plastic box being used for storage. Fold flags individually and place in the box. Make sure the lid fits tightly to keep out dust, moisture and bugs. If storing small quantities of flags, you can place more than one set in a box, with a picture of each displayed for inventory purposes. This method may be used to successfully store other accessories and props, as well.
Just as with every other facet of the band, it is very important to create a timeline representing significant markers and dates for your auxiliary. Beginning with auxiliary tryouts, which should be scheduled early enough in the season to provide the drill writer with the projected number of performers, the calendar should also include the selection of a choreographer, a timeline indicating the points at which the choreography should be taught, cleaned and refined, plus camp and rehearsal dates. Tryouts are a great time to distribute this calendar with camp dates and the practice schedule. This gives the auxiliary members enough time to plan their vacations and work schedules. When everyone is together for try-outs, it is also a great time to measure the individuals for costumes and shoes. Then, after the selection process is completed, assign and distribute to each member a practice flag and pole (make sure you have a checkout system in place).
Because the color guard plays such an important role in your visual package, selection and ordering of flags and costumes should take place at least 2-3 months before they are actually needed. Do not wait until after your season has started. The creation of custom flags and costumes can take from 5 to 12 weeks, depending on the date they are ordered.
With careful consideration given to the above decisions each season and proactive planning in place, you will be able to spend more of your time doing what you do best – teaching!
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