Michigan Color Guard Circuit, Inc.

The Program and its Concept 08/30

Your program concept, musical choice and visual style contribute largely to set you apart from the many others in your class. Strive to be remembered as you create your program.

Consider these Options
• Create a musical soundtrack that will showcase you and your best assets as you create your visual illustration.
• Don’t select music that demands a skill you don’t have. Be careful of music with more depth than you can illustrate. Can you pull it off?
• Never create a program a piece at a time. Select music that can be designed to create a whole show. Have the master plan in place before you begin.

Consider these Questions
• Does it have highs and lows?
• Does it have opportunity to develop ideas?
• Does it have impact and effect built in?
• Does it provide contrast?
• Will the students be able to relate to it?
• Will the audience understand it?
• Does it have a great ending? It Must!
• Can you produce a count sheet to it? Do you understand the count sheet?
• Will it show your guard off to their best advantage?
• Does it inspire creativity?

Know what is going on in the activity…Study lots of other Guards.  Create an accessible program. Be unique and proud of who you are.  Be very careful of going too high up the abstraction ladder. Young performers often have a hard time with abstract interpretation.