When you love something, it hurts to see that passion dismissed by anyone who doesn't understand it.
That's the entire life of someone who is in Color Guard. Guard is more than just sitting on a football field, spinning a flag. Some have called it "wannabe cheerleading", and although I have respect for that sport as well, they're vastly different. We didn't join color guard because we wanted to be cheerleaders.
As a coach, I hear more because people aren't afraid to speak up to someone who isn't in a uniform. While coaching alone, I have heard at least five different comments in the past year about how "useless" color guard is, and most of these comments come from other band members themselves.
Just because you don't understand something doesn't make it useless. For anyone wondering, color guard works just as hard as the band does and works longer hours to get the routines down and together.
The color guard adds a pop of color and an extra visual to the judges and the audience. Members of the audience who do not understand band and how hard they work to get the forms perfect will look at the color guard instead, because the bright colors flying up into the air grab their attention.
The purpose of the color guard is to interpret the musical phrases the band plays during the show. Slower sections of the show draw elongated movements from the guard members bodies and flags, while fast and intense songs will have the guard doing quick, accented work. Soft phrases have smaller moves from the flags, and big bursts of sound are usually accompanied by large tosses or movements that take a lot of room and energy.
A well written show from the guard can improve the band's overall score. Color guard itself came out of an old band tradition called the "color pre" that was a presentation of the colors before a marching band show. That fell out of style and is no longer required for a band performance.
Marching band is a visual art, and the color guard adds an important element for the eyes of the audience.
Although the forms of the band demand a high level of mastery and skill, so does every single move that the guard makes with their flags, rifles, sabres, and other miscellaneous equipment they may spin.
Nowadays, color guard has drifted from the more military-style movements that was a staple of the activity when it first came around, much like actual marching bands. The movements in the color guard focus more on musicality and enhancement, and requires much more practice, patience, and skill.
Because these moves take longer to master, and because mistakes are more easily seen, color guard members will meet a good month or two before the band does during the marching season, or hold more practices with longer hours. Many girls and guys who participate in this grow a love and passion for it.
Just remember this the next time you think about the guard as being "useless." Imagine saying that to another section of instruments, or a cheer leader, or a ballet dancer. Blood, sweat, and tears went into making the show look this good.
Remember next time you say that the guard is useless that one of your friends is standing near you, holding a flag in their hand, hearing you put something they enjoy and work hard at, down. You're dismissing their passion and their hobby.
Remember there are judges and competitions specifically for guard itself, and they place an important role with the guard too.
Color guard isn't useless. Saying that it is is an insult to your band.
