Reprinted from wgi.org By Michael Reed -- Little Elm (TX) (Gold Medal- 97.55) earned the crown by exploring emotions of love, loss, and reconciliation with “Somewhere in Time.” The romantic program opened with the men and ladies in the group running towards each other and embracing, then parting while a man looks back longingly at the woman he is sure to miss. As the man walks around wistfully, missing his mate, he reaches for her as if coming to grips with the hole in his life.
As the conclusion drew near, his love approached and they embraced as the floor came alive in a wash of luscious pink, rose, and gold flags. The couples left the floor arm in arm as the music subsided to close a program that was simply beautiful.
Lincoln Way (IL) (Silver Medal- 97.35) narrowly missed taking the title by just a couple tenths of a point. “Duet” was comprised of an outstanding male vocalist who would surely be an American Idol finalist, and the twenty young women of the guard. The olive, orange, and brown hued floor was separated into four sections, with the group featuring one of the standard elements (plus dance) on each section. As the singer wooed the guard with “Come What May,” the ladies were drawn to him, ending with a perfectly executed unison toss with twenty red and gold flags, earning a huge standing ovation from the UD Arena audience and winning the Effect and Ensemble captions.
In their debut Championship appearance, West Broward (FL) (Bronze Medal- 94.4) made a huge splash in just the school’s second year of existence, headlining a quintet of SA finalists from the Sunshine State. “Get Me Out of Here” was at times chaotic, frenetic and even a bit disorienting, but also showcased mature movement skills and a daunting equipment book. The production kept our eyes darting from place to place, arriving just in time to catch what the designers wanted us to see. As the soundtrack repeated the show title phrase over and over, the unit hypnotized the audience with a dazzling feature on blue and copper silks.
Westerville (OH) (4th- 93.9) brought a sense of playfulness to the arena with “A View from the Park Bench.” Set on a bright green floor, the group utilized three benches to full effect with solid tosses (and even more solid catches) being executed while standing on them. The color choices in the silks also gave a light, springtime feeling with light sky blues and bright yellow sunlight-colored flags. The show, which had subtle Charlie Chaplin influences, ended with a touch of nostalgia for a simpler era as narration described how times may have changed, but the old park still seems the same.
Who knew that a brick wall could inspire such artistic visions? Collins Hill (GA) (5th- 93.65) had a seven-foot tall brick wall which was as functional as any prop in the competition. The members, who were outfitted in costumes with the same brick pattern as the wall, constantly climbed on top of it, doing choreography and equipment tosses. The group was allowed to restart its program after a minor cd glitch, and the audience gave the guard shouts of encouragement. Once they got going, the cheering continued, but this time it was as due to the stellar performance level.
During “Requiem”, Union (OK) (6th- 93.4) gave the most honorable memorial tribute imaginable with an artistic and moving program of choral music by Mozart and Rutter set to a visual palate of burgundy and gold. No detail was overlooked in the movement and equipment choreography, as the group masterfully interpreted even the subtlest nuances of the soundtrack. Near the ending, one could picture walking among heavenly streets during a brilliantly executed feature done with shining gold silks, culminating with a majestic unison toss that was, in a word, divine.
Drawing us into their show with the power and passion of “Music,” Timber Creek (FL) (7th- 91.6) evoked the rich tapestry of emotions that only the harmonies and melodies of song can produce. Narration described how music can touch our souls, uplift our spirits, and sear our hearts in ways nothing else can. Sound waves were a constant visual motif on both the tarp and in the design of the silks. The closing feature with vivid pink flags received a roar of approval from the audience, who responded to both the performance with a symphony of applause.
Coral Glades (FL) (8th- 89.45) captured the defiant spirit of those who persevere through the tribulations of life with “Broken Voices” by Ari Hest. The solid weapon training was evident throughout, as they cleanly executed some of the most daring rifle and saber work in the class. Near the poignant ending, as flags with red, cracked hearts opened up, a flurry of red flower petals floated through the air and onto the ground as the group performed a mesmerizing feature on broken-heart flags, reminding us of the silent suffering many people endure.
Cypress Creek (FL) (9th- 88.35) gave a classy performance of a jazz standard with Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye”. The designers allowed the program the room to develop at the pace of the song, as the show ebbed and flowed with the moods of the music, never in a hurry yet always achieving the desired effect right on time. The group utilized a simple palette of whites and light beiges, highlighted by a tasteful feature on cream-colored flags. The show ended hopefully, with the young ladies lying on the rays of the sun on their floor.
Bellbrook (OH) (10th- 87.97) became living statues with Ingrid Michaelson’s “Turn to Stone”. Set in the middle of a cobblestone courtyard, the members were lifeless grey monoliths atop marble benches… until the music started. Then for a few magical minutes, their hearts of rock became hearts of flesh as they danced and spun with feeling, their grey costumes and facepaint making the effect seem realistic. At the ending, the group once again became inanimate, resuming their finely chiseled poses around a bench at the center of the floor.
Summerville (SC) (11th- 87.7) creatively manipulated the six strings on the electric guitar on their floor during “Guitar Heroes”. A soundtrack of lively guitar music was the vehicle for the ensemble to do equipment work over, under, and through the patterns made with the fabric guitar strings. The ensemble broke through the boundary at the front of the floor and connected with the audience on an emotional level, who rose to their feet with a well-deserved standing ovation after the final flag toss at the conclusion.
Naperville Central (IL) (12th- 86.65) performed “The Moon is Always Female” to Celtic-inspired music of Vanessa Mae. The women stood facing a moon backdrop with a female face at the start of the program, and seemed to be trying to reach the moon with high flag and rifle tosses. The group showed off their dexterity as six girls spun two rifles simultaneously. However, the equipment theatrics did not detract from the unit’s femininity, as they moved over the floor with grace and sophistication.
They say bricks and boards make a house, but love makes a home. Hagerty (FL) (13th- 84.05) built their show around this timeless truth with “To Build a Home”. Performed on a hardwood floor with a large brown heart, the group depicted the care and hard work that goes into making lasting relationships. The group showed a high degree of proficiency with their weapons work, including a soloist who received a shower of cheers by spinning a saber around her neck.
Odessa (MO) (14th- 82.95) gave one of the most aggressive presentations of the event with their dynamic package, “Pursuit”. The driving soundtrack of David Holsinger’s “Abram’s Pursuit” propelled the group to keep building the level of tension throughout the performance as they raced around the floor like a blur. The mounting tension was finally released at the show’s climax with a whir of spinning orange, black, and white flags in a big, bold ending.
Lafayette (LA) (15th- 82.2) brought the beauty of the Orient to Dayton with “Sakura”. Performed to a delicate Japanese soundtrack, the guard created an atmosphere of being in a lush Asian garden, with silks in rich shades of pink and white. It was as if a gentle breeze had scattered the petals of a thousand flowering trees across the arena. The lovely production concluded with the entire group in the center of the floor holding Oriental fans and a huge umbrella.
