Thank you for your interest in the BHS Color Guard!! Each CANDIDATE will have the opportunity to sign-in in a moment. Please make sure you have a cellular device.
E-Mail: bdutton@bentonvillek12.org E-mail: stomlinson@bentonvillek12.org www.bentonvillepride.com
Please get out your cell phones at this time and go to your text messages. Text @cgaudition to 81010 to sign up for the remind 101. This is VERY IMPORTANT! Mr. Dutton will send clinic and audition information to every participant and parent through this Remind 101 account. A new account will be created after auditions have concluded and the roster is finalized.
The Color guard is a visual enhancement to the music performed by the band, most directly the Marching band. The color guard element of the band will require hard work, dedication to continued individual improvement as well as require good physical fitness.
The activity includes dance, choreography, flexibility, running, and other body flexibility and movement. In addition to the marching band color guard we will maintain color guard training during the spring semester and a minimum of one Winter Guard group.
The instructional staff will introduce the students selected for the Color guard to some of the dance and movement principals that will be used in the fall for marching band as well as to create enhanced dance ability for the Winter guard.
The Winter guard season will begin in the winter months when marching band has concluded. There will be a separate audition required for placement into the Winterguard Program.
In addition to the movement principals used in the color guard, equipment usage will also be introduced. The Color guard will generally use flags, rifles and sabres but occasionally will have a variety of other props that may be important to the telling of the story of the competition show, dance or Winter guard program.
Mr. Brian Dutton - Director Mr. Austin Nelson Technician Ms. Kayla Birmingham Technician Mrs. Casey Hoffman Technician Mr. Hunter McDaniel - Technician
General Information The Bentonville High School Color guard will perform with the High School marching Band at Varsity football games, home and select away Varsity football games as well as competitive events Nationally. The guard ranges in size from year to year. The size of next years guard will be determined by the ability levels of the students auditioning. We are not looking for a set number, we are looking for talent.
General Information Additional Dance and Guard opportunities such as Dance class, weapon training and Winter guard will be ongoing throughout the school year for continued development. Members will audition for placement in all Guard groups each year of participation. Being selected one year does not guarantee future years membership. You do not have to be a member of the band to participate in Color Guard.
General Information Selected members of the Color guard that are not a performer in a band or orchestra class will enroll in Color Guard dance class next fall. The guard dance class is open to all members and may be taken every year the student is on the color guard roster. This is highly recommended!!!
You must have a 2.0 GPA to attend clinic and tryouts. No exceptions! Form 1,Form 2 and registration(attached), and information described on an upcoming Remind 101 communication, must be turned in the first day of tryouts. You must attend all of the Clinic dates and the entire tryout day(s). Exception: other school activity and/or pre-approval. (see packet)
Attend all scheduled games and rehearsals Master all routines, drill and dance. Academics are a top priority. Stay eligible. No zero s! Follow all AAA, BHS and Band handbook practices/procedures. Attend Camps, Clinics and all Practices.
Since this style of Color Guard is still new in Bentonville it is important to have a positive attitude toward the training. There may be times that you feel uncomfortable with new styles and/or movement. Trust the instructors since they are the experts. They will not ask you to do something that would not be attainable.
Training Clinics are required so that each student has the best opportunity of being selected to the group. There are multiple responsibilities required to perform with the color guard. Please make sure that you can do ALL of the required work for auditions. *Camps/Clinics are mandatory. Absences for only school-related activities will be considered. Any absences are unexcused unless they are school related or family emergency.
There will be 4 clinic sessions held to prepare prospective members. The total cost for all 4 clinics will be $25 per student. Training Clinics will be held after Spring Break on April 18, 19, 20 and 21from 5-8pm in one of the BHS gyms or Commons areas, TBD. Once space is available Mr. Dutton will send Remind 101 announcements. The audition material will be taught at these clinics both in dance and equipment work. *Auditions will be on Friday April 22 from 5-8pm or until finished.
Upon selection of the 2016-2017 Color Guard training days will be held to start the learning process of the necessary skills needed for continued success. These trainings will be scheduled and provided to elected members upon completion of the audition process. Generally these training sessions are held on M, T & Th from 4-8pm
Rehearsals will be held throughout the summer on designated days. If students are in town they are expected to attend these rehearsals. Fall marching band camp starts on Monday July 25 th. This camp is required of all band and color guard members. Times will be determined when access to stadium and rehearsal spaces become available. There will be a schedule of these camps and times provided to the members once the school calendar is finalized. Plan on a school like schedule. 8am 5pm.
Once school is in session a more defined schedule begins. When Varsity games begin the Friday schedule will alter somewhat on game days. Generally the group would rehearse on Monday 4:15-6:30, Tuesday 5-9, Thursday 4:15-6:30 and Friday 4:15-6:30(modified when games begin). There will be a few Saturday rehearsals scheduled as we prepare for the competitive season. These will be on the master schedule.
The band will have an expanded competitive schedule this coming school year to continue to establish our presence at the Regional and National level. The heavy band competition time is generally the end of September through the beginning of November. During that time we will attend approximately 7 contest events, most being on Saturdays.
The band and color guard have strenuous time requirements that match or exceed some of our very successful athletic events. Be prepared for hard work with great experiences! Practices are during class time for all students, Band class for band students and dance class for non band students. Early morning/after school rehearsals are also necessary to put all of the elements of all of the classes together. All members are required to attend all practices, camp, games, competitions, and other events. These are mandatory. Three unexcused absences can result in dismissal. This is a big commitment! If selected make sure that you are willing to commit to the activity. You ll be glad you did!
Marching Band, Chamber Choir, Volleyball, the competitive cheer and dance season and other activities often overlap in the fall. You may need to be prepared to commit to one or the other due to this scheduling. It is beyond our control. This will be handled on a case-bycase basis.
Once membership is achieved by your student each parent becomes a member of the Band Booster organization. This is a great organization of parents that are very supportive of the successes of the band students! There is no membership fee although we do ask that you help in areas that you feel comfortable with (concession stand work, Sewing, uniforms, chaperone, meals, etc.) if you are willing there is a place for you in the Band Boosters!
Costs will be held as moderate as possible. Items that will be needed by each member will include but not be limited to: rehearsal clothing (we will order together to get better group rates), personal items such as leotards to be worn with the performance costume, shoes and other small miscellaneous items. Performance costume approx. $150 Payment Options: Clinic payment must be paid in FULL to attend. Fund raising opportunities will be available throughout the summer and fall to help cover fees and trip accounts Charms Office Assistant is used to track student accounts. You may pay online with credit card to this account if wanted.
Overnight trips will be paid for by each student. Only actual cost of food, lodging and transportation will be charged. Total trip cost divided by total student number. Local or school bus trips will be paid by the band and band boosters. A modest fee will be charged to all band and color guard members for competition and game night meals. On game nights we run a closed campus and feed all of the students in the commons before the game, home and away.
Every member, especially new members, are encouraged to take private lessons from one of the three staff members. The one on one lesson gives greater information and a more individualized learning experience. Vast growth can be seen in 30 minutes when your child is the only one getting attention. The guard has grown exponentially and to fall behind is not conducive to getting 60+ students to spin and dance cohesively. Lessons will be offered year round and can be scheduled through Mr. Dutton. A 30 minute lesson is generally $10 due to the lesson teacher.
What is everybody s favorite color when it comes to color guard?
Clothing: wear knee-length black shorts, black capris, or black jazz pants, black t-shirt or tank, dance shoes (encouraged but not required) or tennis shoes with socks. Hair should be pulled back, out of face. Completely! No gum or jewelry allowed. Bring a water bottle. Materials will be choreographed and taught by color guard and dance staff The tryout is CLOSED. Participants only. No parents or video taping will be allowed. No food or soft drinks will be allowed in the gym or band room. You may bring a water bottle.
Thank you for your interest in the BHS Color Guard. We wish everyone good luck and know that you will do your very best. This is a newly defined activity to Bentonville Schools and is a work in progress. As adjustments are made, members will be informed. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. If something comes up later, please e-mail bdutton@bentonvillek12.org We will see you all after spring break!!!