West Bloomfield High School had the privilege of hosting the 2017 West Bloomfield Winter Invitational for the Michigan Color Guard Circuit (MCGC), on Saturday, February 4, and absolutely nailed it. A devoted group of over 100 passionate volunteers which consisted of numerous students, parents, and alumni made the event an absolute success by enabling 82 groups consisting of over 1,600 students and staff compete in the largest Michigan Color Guard Circuit show in Michigan this season.

The stakes were high and the roaring crowd, which consisted of over 2,000 passionate spectators, only added to the intensity of this fierce competition. However, this pressure and attention proved to be no challenge for these experienced West Bloomfield ensembles.

West Bloomfield ensembles featured included Percussion, Winter Winds, Varsity Winter Guard, Junior Varsity Winter Guard, and Elementary Winter Guard. These ensembles are not only made up of WBHS students, but also include West Bloomfield middle and elementary schoolers.

For some performing the stakes were high, but as Lakers they persisted on to success.

“We went up against 8 groups in our class, and we came in second. This was really a good show for us because we were only one point away from first,” said Gia Evans, a marimbist in Winter Percussion.

“Our show this year is called Into the Canvas, which is a show about escaping your problems through art,” Evans continued.

All ensembles performing at the Winter Invitational had themes, and the WBHS Winter Percussion theme included live painting, canvases, and even audio quotes from the famous painter Bob Ross!

Another ensemble representing WBHS was the Varsity Winter Guard, performing their show titled “Falling in Love.” This show features light pink and grey tones, parasols, and a tightrope that guard members interact with.

“It’s really interesting trying to explore this feeling and emotion of falling in love with the tightrope because there’s this aspect of literally falling,” said Varsity Guard member Nia Nicolaides.

“It’s the push and pull of falling in love,” Varsity Guard member Satoria Hardin continued.

These themes allow Percussion and Winter Guard ensembles to showcase their creativity, and can be quite interesting and entertaining to the audience and judges at each show.

Throughout the remainder of the season both WBHS Percussion and Winter guard members will continue to forge ahead in hopes of making this season their best yet. Interested in supporting the band this season? Come out and support the WBHS Band Program at Mene Sushi next Monday, February 20. For more info, check out wbbands.info.