On Saturday, January 25 the CHS Winter Guard kicked off their competition season with a performance of their show Let it Pour. They have done exceptionally well to start the season, especially with joining a new circuit while also having appointed a new director this year. Against ten other guards in their round, they earned 4th place, and an overall 13th out of thirty-nine guards.
Considering the scoring that they got, you would believe that they felt happy about their performance. However, each member can be very critical of their own performance, to find areas to improve on for next time.
“I liked it. There were definitely things that I could improve, but overall I think we did a really good job,” said freshman Madison Jackson, who had done her first winter guard competition.
Many students will feel that way, always looking for ways to improve no matter how good their performance is. However, how students feel after a competition performance could differ from how the director views it.
“I thought the overall performance at Plainfield was excellent for our first time out competing. The students gave awesome facials and were very expressive with their movements!” said their new director, Jeffory DeHenes.
A huge part of performing is the choreography, but also the facial expressions that each performer uses. The facial expressions create emotion and help to create the whole show, but for many performers, it is the hardest part to learn. This made DeHenes proud, especially because the guard can still grow throughout the season.
This was the first competition at a new circuit too, having switched to the Indianapolis circuit from the Midwest circuit. There were many changes with this change, but the warm-up time for this circuit was one of the biggest.
“It was really fast…we didn’t know how long there was compared to the old practice and Midwest,” said junior Brianna Manning, who is also one of the section leaders. The change between the two circuits was bigger than expected, but over time it will help the guard grow in skills and achieve even more than before.
At every competition, the judges do not just give you points, but they also give critiques and feedback throughout the performance that the guards and directors can listen back on throughout the season. According to DeHenes, they gave a lot of feedback for it being the beginning of the season, but one part stood out more than the rest.
“One thing that stuck out is how some of the skills we are doing are a little difficult for our class. We will continue to push these harder skills to remain a competitive group in regional A,” DeHenes explained.
What this means is that the choreography and skills that DeHenes is having the guard perform are harder than they need to be. This pushes the members to work harder and gain skills that other members in their competitive class might not have. Once this work becomes clean and put together, this could help them score higher and do better at competitions.
Although the guard did very well in their first week out, they still have goals for future competitions. According to DeHenes, his main goal for the guard is to finish the writing and teaching the choreography. This will help the judges to see what the show has to offer and lead the guard to a good place. Once the choreography is completed, all that is left for the guard is to clean and perfect the work.
Although the guard still has some way to go with the choreography, they have come very far in the past few months. When asking DeHenes how he felt about where the guard was at this point, he responded with: “I am 100% satisfied with where we are right now.”
He continued saying that the guard should be able to perform their entire show at their next competition at Snider High School.
Overall, the Winter Guard did very well at their first competition, from both the perspectives of the coach and members. They will continue to improve throughout the season, and make a name for themselves at this new circuit.