WGI Colorguard World Championships Thread (Including Detailed Schedule)

[principalagent]

George Mason's 99.0 is .05 shy of the 1998 Independent Open record of 99.05 set by the Patriots. 

Go Team Virginia!

[immortalBlueOrchid]

Congratulations on the bronze medal in WGI World Championships in your first year of Open Class Dripping Springs! And to McNeil HS for moving up to 4th Place! Go #TeamTexas!

This is Dripping Spring’s first year in Open Class??? Wow, well now they are World Class!

[Rubisco]

I'm surprised Stoneman Douglas was in 15th place in prelims. Clear jump in ability and execution between TWHS and them. TWHS had a solid run. They opened with a drop, which is never heartening, but the rest of the show was well-done. Definitely, I think the goal for next year should be to get a show as difficult as this one cleaner earlier in the season -- and to expand some of the most difficult skills to the entire guard. Also, some of the "organized chaos" moments could have used a little bit more organization. Sometimes it was a little bit too busy. Just some suggestions. But, overall, a great season. Congrats on your first finals appearance!

 

I thought Flanagan's Fred Rogers show was just lovely. Loved Shenendehowa's frog-like costumes and jungle floor design. I'm happy to see Lyman have a breakthrough moment this year. The show is super sexy. I'm not sure I'd have placed them as high as they have been placing, but sex sells!

[Rubisco]

That was definitely a next-level Miamisburg show. First show of the evening I'd score in the 90+ range. It looks like the 90+ scores actually started with Norwin in semifinals. I liked Norwin's show, and it was an interesting concept, but I found the singer a little bit too distracting. Also, the acoustics weren't great. It'll be interesting to see how generous the judges are in finals.

[Rubisco]

Trumbull is on a roll. Another gorgeous show from them. And Carmel just completely slayed the competition so far. Fantastic run.

[LeanderMomma]

West Broward! Just WOW! That was riveting and oh, so FUN!!!!

[Rubisco]

Oh my gosh. That ending from West Broward. When she smashes the guitar.

 

Great show. Great energy. Similar to what we've seen from them before, but better-performed. Yeah, a few drops here and there, but nothing too bad.

[LeanderMomma]

I'm happy to see Lyman have a breakthrough moment this year. The show is super sexy. I'm not sure I'd have placed them as high as they have been placing, but sex sells!

Yeah I gotta admit I was more than a bit uncomfortable with that one. I found it a bit racy for kiddos still in high school to be performing.

[LeanderMomma]

These Indiana groups are just incredible. That was mesmerizing Center Grove. Just so beautiful.

[Rubisco]

Center Grove is always elegant. I don't think this was the best run from them, though. I'd have both Carmel and West Broward ahead of them.

[LeanderMomma]

Here we go. Bring it, Avon!!!!

[LeanderMomma]

And bring it, they did. Just wow. No words.

[Rubisco]

Wonderful show from Avon. Adhered to that WGI golden rule: if you have a guy in your high school guard, feature him incessantly! I loved the whole design of the floor. Another one of those shows where stuff got moved around and created very interesting shapes. Lots of really tough stuff in this show, but they (mostly) just nailed it. Definitely 1st place. Do I think it's a 98+ show? I don't think I was quite that wowed, but based on those semis results, the judges might have been! I tend to be more critical anyway.

[LeanderMomma]

Ha, Leander is King of featuring a male soloist in our shows. For good reason. Our guys are insanely good! And so was that boy from Avon. Did you see his momma? Man was she proud. As she should be! He was incredible.

[Rubisco]

So, how are the groups going to place? I don't think there are going to be that many differences between semis and finals. I really didn't notice that many things I disagreed with. But the finals panel contains adjudicators from both prelims and semis. In prelims, Center Grove beat Carmel by 2.6 points. That's... uh... a lot, based on what I saw tonight. I'm guessing Carmel had a rough run and Center Grove had a great one, but I don't know, because I didn't see prelims. Maybe the judges just really liked CG's show that much more. Based on tonight's performances, if Center Grove comes out ahead, it should not be by that much. My personal top three were Avon, Carmel, and West Broward. How high will the scores go? Well, based on that 98 Avon got in semis, you might think that Avon could go as high as a 99 finals. (For those not familiar, scores of 99 and 100 on the rubric are reserved for groups that "set new standards.") A 99 would surprise me, but holding down the fort around 98 wouldn't.

 

Great job to all. Now, on to Independent World!

[Rubisco]

Ha, Leander is King of featuring a male soloist in our shows. For good reason. Our guys are insanely good! And so was that boy from Avon. Did you see his momma? Man was she proud. As she should be! He was incredible.

 

Yes, that was very sweet. She was bawling!

[Rubisco]

So, uh, fan favorite. That was West Broward, right?

[LeanderMomma]

So, uh, fan favorite. That was West Broward, right?

You think? I just don’t know. So hard to choose! But you could be right.

[Rubisco]

Lexis just gave me some Fantasia 2006 feels with all those mattresses. Makes me want to curl up in bed! Beautiful show.

[wtxbd02]

I think that Black Gold show will always be a special one for me, that was the first show at my first WGI show in Denton that blew me away.  It's SO gorgeous, so musical, and so so so well conveyed, especially live.  I sat down low and could tell that show was very real for a lot of those performers.  Fantastic job to them, have enjoyed their shows a lot every year online but they're the first guard I saw live that made my jaw drop.  

[LeanderMomma]

So, how are the groups going to place? I don't think there are going to be that many differences between semis and finals. I really didn't notice that many things I disagreed with. But the finals panel contains adjudicators from both prelims and semis. In prelims, Center Grove beat Carmel by 2.6 points. That's... uh... a lot, based on what I saw tonight. I'm guessing Carmel had a rough run and Center Grove had a great one, but I don't know, because I didn't see prelims. Maybe the judges just really liked CG's show that much more. Based on tonight's performances, if Center Grove comes out ahead, it should not be by that much. My personal top three were Avon, Carmel, and West Broward. How high will the scores go? Well, based on that 98 Avon got in semis, you might think that Avon could go as high as a 99 finals. (For those not familiar, scores of 99 and 100 on the rubric are reserved for groups that "set new standards.") A 99 would surprise me, but holding down the fort around 98 wouldn't.

 

Great job to all. Now, on to Independent World!

I’m not 100% sure that was a 99+ run for Avon as I did see a few rare rough spots, but it was the clear winner to me. And what the heck do I know anyway! Maybe Avon started at a 110 value in difficulty and they only dropped down to a final score of 99.5. Heh...

 

I couldn’t accurately pick #2, 3 or 4 if you put a gun to my head and gave me hints, but I’m liking West Broward for the Silver and Center Grove for Bronze, but I’m guessing Carmel will sneak in there somewhere and overtake one of those two.

[Rubisco]

Black Gold from Tulsa, Oklahoma? Huh?

 

Performing in your underwear is apparently in this year. Two in a row! Beautiful show from Black Gold. I'm realizing how far movement has come in the winter guard activity. So much better than in the past!

[LeanderMomma]

Man how I love that CGT Denton show! I’ve always loved a good western. Add some flags, weapons and dancers and I’m like YEAH BABY!

[Rubisco]

Oh my gosh. I LOVED CGT Denton. So much swagger! If they were the junior varsity group last year, they're a co-varsity group this year. Both of these CGT groups seem to be developing very entertaining, theatrical styles. Great job!

[LeanderMomma]

Well Fantasia was fun! Riveting even. And to be so together with SO many people in their guard. So impressive!