Focus On: The Pride of Missouri State
July 28, 2010
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Nestled in the Ozarks in Southwest Missouri isMissouri State University…one of the largest institutions of higher learning in Missouri with approximately 22,000 students enrolled on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Missouri State University is the home of The Pride of Missouri State, a 2010 Independent Open Class Finalist, and where learning and performing with this collegiate color guard is integrated into the student’s degree program.
Winter guard at Missouri State began in 1987. Through the years, the guard has gone through a couple of name changes, with the first occurring in 1993 as The Pride of SMSU (the university was formerly known as Southwest Missouri State University) and in 2006 to the current The Pride of Missouri State (when the university changed to Missouri State University). The Pride of Missouri State earned their first finalist appearance at the 1994 WGI World Championships (in the Independent A Class) with their interpretation of “Walking In Memphis”, and since then has performed in finals with such shows as“It’s Going To Take Some Time” (’00), “Take Ten” (’03), “Sketches of O’Keefe” (’08), and “Ostinato” (’10). The Pride of Missouri State’s “Heat of the Day” (’06), where rotating boards created a constant reshaping of the floor, has been viewed over 26,000 times on YouTube. Since 1994, the Missouri State University winter ensembles have made 15 appearances at WGI World Championships.
In 1997, a second winter guard was established at Missouri State University. National Avenue performs in the Independent A Class, and they have earned three finalist appearances at WGI World Championships (’04, ’05, and ’10). Both The Pride of Missouri State and National Avenue participate in Winter Guard International, as well as the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association, which they hold a charter membership (1994). Through the years, more than 900 performers have marched color guard at Missouri State. The students and staff take great pride in the current members and alumni who teach color guard throughout the region and other areas of the United States.
The winter guards are an extension of the 300-member Missouri State University PRIDE Marching Band. During the fall semester, The Pride of Missouri State and National Avenue form one color guard – the PRIDE Color Guard – where they perform at all home university football games. In addition, they host theOzarko Marching Festival, and present two special indoor performances. The PRIDE Band and Color Guard have also performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade (’95 and ’08), MACY’S Thanksgiving Day Parade (’88, ’96, and ’01), London New Year’s Day Parade (’90 and ’06), and various other venues including Orange Bowl Parade (’88), Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade (’09), and in exhibition at the Bands of America Grand National Championships (’00).
John Sullivan administers the color guard program at Missouri State University. Appointed guard director in 1992, John is in his nineteenth year with the PRIDE. The winter guard staff also includes Maxine Sullivan, Heather Huggins, Chris Putnam, Shyra Whalon, Kim Kras, Theresa Fox, Anna (Holtmeyer) Torres, Karl Lowe, Chad Duggan, and Steve Huggins. John Sullivan serves on the Missouri State University Bands Senior Staff where he works with Amy Perkins, Maxine Sullivan, Director of Bands –Jerry Hoover, and Associate Director of Bands – Dr. Belva Prather.
