Indianapolis Power Regional Review

By Tommy Kmec

Scholastic A

Lincoln-Way HS (90.20)—Performing their show entitled “Duet”, Lincoln-Way High School took a risk by using sound amplification to feature a live singer within their show. Singing Come What May allowed the beautiful performers to connect with the audience and with a blocked style floor design, they were able to feature strong equipment choreography that ended with a strong and well-executed flag statement.

Westerville HS (87.70)—Using music from The Thomas Crown Affair, Westerville performed their show entitled “A View From A Park Bench.” Their innovative staging allows them to integrate park benches within their show. Their pristine flag ensembles and strong movement skills pleased the audiences and the judges.

Union HS (87.40)—Performing their show entitled “Requiem,” Union High School was able to highlight strong performers and solid soloists. The performers were very confident and successfully executed a backhand feature that made the audience go wild!

Naperville Central HS (85.60)—Performing a Vanessa Mae piece, Naperville Central High School created great effect with their well-executed ensemble moments. Some of the great moments included: a double handed, backhand feature and an ensemble turn around flag toss. Well done!

Bellbrook HS (84.50)—A beautiful circular cobblestone tarp and stone benches provide the canvas for Bellbrook’s show that was entitled “Turn to Stone.” Wearing head to toe gray, the performers really were able to portray the idea of being a statute in a courtyard. This show featured a strong sabre book that enables students to manipulate all parts of the sabre and stunning flags that spun on multiple planes of space. The training of these performers is advanced and the ending flag feature was spotless.

Paul Lawrence Dunbar HS (84.10)—With a show entitled “River,” Paul Lawrence Dunbar feature strong equipment and movement books—all that were challenging and innovative. The music starts off with water sounds and the color guard moves “downstream,” which sets the stage for advanced dance chorography. The building flag feature at the end once again shows off guard’s staff’s ability to create a one of a kind book.

Ben Davis HS (82.80)—Ben Davis High School performed their show entitled “Somebody” on a beautiful black and white digitally printed tarp with a single chair that moved around the floor as the show progressed. With a restful color palette, the audience was able to enjoy the communicative qualities that were given to the performers. The exploding flag feature was fast paced and featured crisp angle tosses.

Colerain HS (81.10)—Colerain High School performed their show entitled “Silence.” With expressive opening movement leading to a silent dance feature, the phrase ends with a strong soloist. Throughout the show, we experience strong rifles that spin in silence, which really shows off their technique. Bright white flags concluded the last ensemble statement. The audience was definitely not silent.

Lafayette Jefferson HS (80.80)—With a unique design floor, Lafayette Jefferson High School performs their show entitled “ “Statuesque.” The guard starts and ends in very interesting poses that depicts themselves as statues. The warm color palette of bronze, tan, and gold is soothing to watch and the training of the performers must be noted. This guard shows off their flexibility by showcasing an ensemble split as well as strong equipment skills.

Milford HS (80.30)—“Fly and be Free” is the message that we received as Milford High School performed their show. With a beautiful scroll floor and a giant birdcage, they were able to highlight strong dancers, double flag work to mimic wings on a bird, and a beautiful lift at the end to show their freedom from a cage.


Independent A

Eclipse Independent (87.70)—Eclipse Independent performed their show entitled “Birds of a Feather.” They highlighted the show with their feather and bird digitally printed floor. Expressive opening dance shows off their feather full-length armband and their tricky flag work really showed off the performers technique. The razor sharp releases of weapon tosses and world-class catches pleased the audience. Their ending flag feature was also well written and executed.

Consortio (85.90)—“Strings in Three Parts” is the concept behind Consortio’s clever show. Always utilizing the stage and the bold “strings” that are on the floor, they are able to feature solid sabres and crystal clear flag tosses. The monochromatic flag feature was executed wonderfully and the performers mimic world-class performers. This show was well designed and well thought out!

Interplay (84.20)—With costumes that depicted themselves as travelers, Interplay performed a very expressive show to the music “Someday” by John Legend. This guard featured a strong flag feature that ended with a heart shaped form.

Southwind (80.30)—Using a floral and vine design floor, Southwind performed a peaceful show entitled “Apassionata.” The group consisted of strong performers that were all confident in dance and spinning.

Fairborn (80.00)—Performing a beautiful song, “This Woman’s Work,” Fairborn performed a crystal clear show with challenging flag work. The feature soloist really showed off the difficult flag chorography that was given to the performers.

Cadets of South Shore (78.30)—With an all male cast, Cadets of South Shore performed a pessimistic show entitled “Why Me?” This guard showed off their ability to catch sky-high tosses solidly and featured many tricks that were well executed. This guard also featured an ensemble roll underneath a sabre toss that made the audience go crazy!

Art 101 (77.10)—A beautiful neutral color palette set the tone of the show that was entitled “Life on a Grid.” Art 101 featured stick like props and a well-executed Peggy Spin wind up toss.


Scholastic Open

Norwin HS (85.30)—Performing a show entitled “This is Said to Me” Norwin High School featured strong weapon skills, and expressive movement. This guard is sophisticated and has a show that will do well at World Championships.

Lake Central HS (83.90)—“Aspirations of Hope” was the concept for Lake Central. This show highlighted tricky work, high contrast between the flags and the tarp, and strong ensemble features.

Kokomo HS (83.50)—Kokomo High School performed their show entitled “Ava Maria.” This beautiful song highlighted the guards’ ability to perform and connect with the audience. The feature duet at the end was a crowd pleaser.

Greenfield Central HS (83.40)—Performing a show to a “jazz” soundtrack (entitled “Off the Cuff”), Greenfield Central started off the show with two very strong soloists. The intricate equipment book showed how mature these performers are. Not only do they achieve sky-high tosses, they have crisp releases and impressive catches. The color palette is bold and strikingly beautiful. Their ensemble moments are practically flawless and this show is truly one long phrase that is exhausting to perform (and even watch!). Greenfield Central is definitely dominating this class in terms of equipment design and overall training.

Walled Lake Central HS (80.60)—“Say It To Me Now” was the concept behind Walled Lakes Central High School’s show. They used a small graphic of a guitar that pulled apart as the show progressed. This show highlighted strong rifle and flag skills that lead up to a beautiful flag feature.

La Porte HS (74.70)—La Ported pulled off a rather unusual show called “Susanne” that featured patio umbrellas that were transformed into flowers. Not only did they showcase their strong equipment skills, they also pulled off a rather long flag feature phrase, which was well achieved.

Lake Orion HS (73.60)—Performing their show entitled “Terra Cotta,” Lake Orion High School featured big ensemble moments and strong equipment skills. This fast paced music kept the viewer entertained.

Lake Park HS (73.50)—Lake Park performed their show entitled “My Sundown.” This show had a message that we are all very familiar with—life is short. This guard takes us through a journey of taking control of your life and to appreciate the simple things. Lake Park had nice full ensemble moments and a floor that converted into a night sky.


Independent Open

Usurpation (88.10)—Performing their show entitled “A Simple Song” on a beautifully designed and intricate floor, Usurpation continues to dominate Open Class. With beautifully designed flags and costumes, Usurpation truly showcases impressive ensemble moments and advanced choreography.

O2 (86.10)—“To The End Of The Day” is the concept for O2. This guard uses all black pallet for flags and costumes and truly highlights their “wallpaper” designed floor. This “plus sign” shape of their floor beyond doubt opens up many staging choices, which O2 has achieved.

Ancora (82.90)—Performing their show entitled “Meditation,” Ancora uses a strikingly beautiful digitally printed floor. Their expressive performance qualities and beautiful flag work are sure to be pleased by all.

Independence Open (79.50)—The idea of abstract art was the idea behind Independence Open’s show. Entitled “Abstract Landscape in Teal” showcased a strong rifle line and a movement book that was physically powerful. The use of teal was aesthetically pleasing throughout the show.

South Shore Drill Team (75.60)—Performing their show entitled “Superman,” South Shore Drill Team featured an all male cast that without a doubt loves to perform. The use of the “superman” emblem was used throughout the show and their tricks brought the audience to their feet. South Shore Drill Team is definitely a crowd favorite this season!

Scholastic World

Carmel HS (91.50)—Carmel is known for innovative show design and groundbreaking choreography. Their show this year, “Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” is sure to be their best show yet. Their grid-like floor represents a chocolate box and with this show—we know what we are going get: flawless tosses, amazing catches, tricky work, and a movement book that is well beyond the performers years, but executed beautifully.

Avon HS (91.40)—The idea of helping out people in need is the concept for Avon’s show this season. “Lend a Hand” featured a tarp that was a collage of cardboard signs “begging” for help. The performers utilize signs that say “lost everything” and “can you spare some change” to get their point across—that people need to help people that are less fortunate. Like always, Avon has a strong show and of course, very talented performers.

Warren Central HS (85.00)—Performing one of the most intense shows of the day, Warren Central’s show entitled “Bloodline” started off with modern and intense movement, to razor sharp equipment skills—ending with a flag feature that was immaculate. This is a show that is clearly demanding and the performers are well trained.

Marian Catholic HS (84.40)—“Ashes to Ashes” is the concept for Marian Catholic. With a flagstone-designed floor that focuses on a silhouette of a coffin, the guard features two performers that are “mourning” throughout the show. The expressive movement feature develops into a sky-high rifle statement that was flawlessly executed. Their lace flags are the perfect compliment to the morbid music and their difficult and detailed sabre work can be seen throughout the show. The show ends with a beautiful crème laced flag and a couple mourning at the grave.

Lawrence Central (83.50)—Lawrence Central performed their show entitled “Into the West” and featured a beautiful nautical inspired floor design along with beautiful white scrims to highlight their ending flag feature. This show is very calm and relaxing and even features a “boat” in the beginning.

Center Grove HS (81.70)—“More then enough” is the concept behind Center Grove’s show this year. They are keeping it simple with a smaller tarp that really shows that, its “more then enough” to perform a show. Like always, these performers achieve a book that is well designed and a staple for Center Grove.

Centerville HS (81.10)—Centerville performed a show about Marie Antoinette, told from the queen’s sister’s perspective. With gorgeous costumes from that time period, Centerville uses audacious chess graphics, a dramatic dance soloist, and a vibrant ending flag statement that is strong and consistent.

Northview HS (75.40)—Northview’s show entitled “Life is Beautiful” featured all black props and floors. The use of bright yellow flags showed a bold contrast with the floor and their manipulation of body and equipment was truly impressive and a staple for Northview Color Guard. This show was quirky and cute, something that is hard to pull off.

Northmont HS (74.40)—Performing their show entitled “Flight,” Northmont takes the audience on a journey with a vibrant floor, beautiful flags, and an interesting interpretation of a pilots uniform as a costume. They had complicated equipment work and a gorgeous ending flag feature.


Independent World

Onyx (92.90)—This 2010 Winter Guard season may mark Onyx’s strongest group of performers and a show that is so intriguing, the audience doesn’t know what to do—besides applaud. Their flawless show truly sets them apart from other world guards, and their one of a kind movement book is to be noted.

Pride of Cincinnati (92.40)—The minute the Pride of Cincinnati walks into the performance area—the show starts. These talented men and women are trapped in a “Summer of Love” and absolutely LOVE it. Featuring popular songs from the sixties; Pride of Cincinnati is once again the leading innovator within the color guard industry. Their technique, equipment, and show design is well beyond its years and Pride continues to drive the development of new show concepts. This will be a show that people will remember for years to come. (And does anyone notice they have no tarp? I didn’t think so.)

Juxtaposition WG (85.20)—Starting off with the guard in three sections—rifle, sabre, and flag, Juxtaposition performs a show about “You.” Sky high tosses and a powerful dance feature explains why they are in World Class. The final message—“You Changed My Life” is one that we can all relate too.

Opus 10 (83.60)—Performing their show entitled “The Music Box,” Opus 10 achieved intense drill maneuvers, a rifle and sabre feature, fast paced dance, and strong equipment skills. Well Done!

Interplay (78.40)—Performed their show entitled “Kindle.” The soothing music that was paired up with black velvet walls made their flame like flags pop. 

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