January 20, 2010
What is Winterguard?
Q: What is Winter Guard?
A: Winter guard is the wintertime continuation of fall color guard. In winter guard, team members take their flags inside to the basketball court and they trade marching band music for popular music.
It is a nationally recognized sport sponsored by WGI, Winter Guard International – The Sport of the Arts. Thousands of high school and college students participate in WGI activities every year.
Winter guard includes flags as well as dance, rifle and sabre spinning, and drill work.
Q: Who is eXpressions?
A: eXpressions winter guard is a competitive Wichita Metro Area group sponsored by Performance Arts Foundation, Inc. Performance Arts Foundation is a 501 3(c) non-profit organization with the goal to provide young people the opportunities to participate in performing arts activities.
eXpressions winter guard competes in WGI, MCCGA, and WGPOkla circuits in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
The team is made up of students aged 13-21.
eXpressions operates under a staff team and the supervision of the Performance Arts Foundation Board of Directors.
eXpressions has open auditions for young women and men.
Some eXpressions team members will participate in the team for 8 years
Q: When do they practice?
A: eXpressions winter guard practices from mid-November through the beginning of April. Rehearsals include
Monday, 6:30-8:30 PM, Wichita State University
Thursday, 6:15 – 8:30 PM, Augusta United Methodist Church
Saturday, 9:00 – 4:00, Nov-Jan: Various Locations, Feb-Mar: Competitions in MO, OK, KS
Q: Why do they practice so much?
A: eXpressions winter guard is a competitive group with varying skills to practice. Since members come from different schools and teaching methods, the team must practice to unify skills and prepare for competition.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Each team member is required to pay a $550 participation fee. This payment is due at intervals through the first 2/3 of the season. The fee includes
Group and individualized instruction in the winter guard disciplines
Uniform, shoe, team T-shirt costs
Practice venue fees
Travel costs during the competitive months
Q: Why does it cost so much?
A: To pay for the above mentioned items costs the full $550 fee. It is comparable or less expensive than dance classes or sports teams.
Q: Are there scholarship or fundraiser opportunities?
A: Yes. A few small scholarships are awarded each year. There is an intern program for older students. There are fundraising opportunities throughout the year; unfortunately many people don’t take advantage of the opportunities. The fundraisers will only profit according to the effort made by students.
Q: Will there be other costs?
A: Yes, but they are minimal and some are one time costs.
Students will need to bring a lunch or during competitive season, buy a lunch and/or dinner on out-of-town trips.
Students will need to purchase make-up and sometimes hair items.
Students will need an equipment bag for portable storage for his/her equipment.
Q: Why do the students participate? And why do they do it for so many years?
A: Winter guard is a unique activity that provides practice and performance opportunities for young people. It’s a team activity so students build bonds with their teammates. Team members love the Sport of the Arts and enjoy seeing the development of their talents and teams over a season and a career.
Q: Who is the Staff? Please contact us with questions.
A: The instructional staff include
Renee Berggren, Director. Renee has taught with eXpressions for over 10 years.
scottb@pixius.net, 316.218.0063
Mike Cooper, Performance Arts Foundation President and props logistics. Mike has served as PAFI President for 4 years and worked with eXpressions for 7 seasons.
pafidad1@cox.net, 316.250.8009
Melissa Baum, Lead Instructor. This is Melissa’s 7th season with eXpressions.
melissabaum1@hotmail.com, 316.259.9997
Miranda Trissal, Instructor - focus Movement. This is Miranda’s 8th season with eXpressions. She performed as a student for 4 season and as an instructor for 3 years.
Tamaira George, Instructor and Visual Design Assistant. This is Tamaira’s 2nd season.