As part of the Annual Membership Meeting, a list of proposed changes will be presented to the membership for consideration. We will also hold elections for open positions on the Board of Directors. The circuit accepts proposals from all current-year member groups and any member of the circuit administration in the following categories:
- By-Laws and Constitution:
- This category applies to governing rules contained in the By-Laws and Constitution of the organization.
- Changes to the organization's by-laws and constitution require the approval of 2/3 of the membership present at the time of the vote in order to be approved.
- Proposals passed by the membership for changes to the by-laws and constitution do not require the approval of the Board of Directors to pass.
- Organization Administration, Rules & Circuit Championships:
- This is (typically) the largest grouping of proposals. This category encompasses all of the organization's policies and procedures.
- Changes to the organization's policies and procedures require the approval of 51% of the membership present at the time of the vote.
- Proposals passed by the membership in this category are then referred to the Board of Directors. 51% of the Board must vote to ratify the change in order for it to become policy.
Proposal forms are due by May 29th, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Proposal forms submitted after this deadline will be considered out of order and discarded.
Click Here to Submit a Proposal
Elections for Board Positions
We are now accepting nominations for the following seats on the Board of Directors for a two-year term:
- President (incumbent Zakia Ruffin)
- Secretary (incumbent Torey Riser)
- At-Large Representative (incumbent Anne Turner)
Election Nomination forms are due by May 29th, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Election Nomination forms submitted past this deadline will be considered out of order and discarded.
Click Here to Submit a Nomination for the Board of Directors
The 2026 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at Spartanburg High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina (2250 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29307), and is scheduled for 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
The Color Guard Circuit Championships schedules are now finalized and available here:
👉 Color Guard Championships Schedules
As we look ahead to an exciting Championships weekend, please review the following key reminders to help ensure a smooth and successful event for all participants:
Event Preparation
Directors should review the Championships Event Packet in Competition Suite, which includes important flow information and venue logistics.
Performance Logistics
- Prop storage is limited and available up to one hour prior to performance. A staff member or parent must remain with your props and tarp to move them to meet the group at equipment warm-up.
- Directors with multiple groups may check in all groups at once
- Performer wristbands are valid all weekend and will not be replaced
Staging & Warm-Up Expectations
- Staging space is limited; no personal items should be left unattended
- No music is permitted in the staging area
- Noise must be kept to a minimum to respect groups in warm-up and performance
- Equipment warm-up must remain quiet due to proximity to the performance floor
Championships Retreat – GLOW Party
All awards ceremonies will be full retreat. Participants are encouraged to bring approved glow gear and celebrate the season. Please ensure all items brought onto the floor are removed afterward. Five GLOW party retreats will take place throughout the weekend.
Need Assistance?
For questions or concerns, please contact [email protected] or Directors can reach out to the Contest Administrators listed in the event packet.
We look forward to celebrating an incredible season with all of you at Championships!
Based on the current weather conditions forecasted for this weekend in the Upstate of South Carolina, the Circuit Administration has made the decision to cancel the Premiere South event scheduled to take place at White Knoll High School.
While we certainly explored alternative options, the safety of our participants, directors, staff, and spectators must remain our top priority.
In accordance with CWEA policy, all groups that were scheduled to compete at this event will automatically receive their Premiere credit toward Circuit Championships qualification. No additional action is required from participating groups.
Please note that the CWEA Premiere Low Country event at Ashley Ridge High School is still taking place with an adjusted schedule. For the most up-to-date schedule and event details, please visit the event page on our website.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we closely monitored the weather throughout the week. If you have any questions, please feel free to email [email protected].
We hope everyone in impacted areas stays safe and warm during the predicted storm.
We are aware of the pending weather that may impact the Upstate of South Carolina this weekend, and we are actively reviewing all available options for the White Knoll event.
Please know that the safety of our performers, staff, and spectators remains our top priority. We are closely monitoring conditions and working with our host site as we evaluate next steps.
As soon as a final decision is made, an updated schedule and any additional information will be communicated.
For questions regarding weather-related cancellations or procedures, please refer to the CWEA Policy Manual, which is available in the Resources section of Competition Suite and on our website.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process.
We are thrilled to announce that the CWEA Circuit Championships will be returning to the Winthrop Coliseum for 2026! After an incredible season of dedication, hard work, and artistry, our talented Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds ensembles will once again have the opportunity to showcase their skills on an arena stage.
Event Dates:
- Color Guard Championships: March 27–29, 2026
- Percussion & Winds Championships: Saturday, April 4, 2026
This is the ultimate culmination of a season of practice, passion, and performance. There’s nothing quite like the energy of an arena, and we can’t wait to share it with our performers, families, and fans.
Come join us at Winthrop Coliseum to celebrate these incredible performances, cheer on your favorite ensembles, and be part of the excitement that only a CWEA Championship can deliver!
Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to witness the magic of championship-level performances.
We’re excited to announce that CWEA Group Registration for the 2026 season opens tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.!
As always, we’re offering flexible Membership Options designed to best fit your group’s needs. Every membership includes:
- Unlimited participation in CWEA events during the competitive season
- Access to our scoring systems, handbooks, policies, and procedures
- The ability to submit rule proposals and vote in general membership meetings
In addition, each membership level comes with extra wristbands for your group at every contest:
- Standard Membership – $795: 7 wristbands per contest
- Deluxe Membership – $895: 9 wristbands per contest
- Premium Membership – $995: 12 wristbands per contest
For a step-by-step guide to registration and answers to frequently asked questions, visit our Registration Guide & FAQ page.
Before you begin, now is also a great time to make sure:
- You are listed as the Administrator on your group account (if you’re handling registration).
- Your staff list is updated and accurate.
Need help?
- For general registration questions, contact our secretary, Torey Riser, at [email protected] or [email protected].
- For payment-related questions, reach out to our treasurer, Cody Crawford, at [email protected].
We’re here to make your registration process as smooth as possible and can’t wait to see all of you this season. Let’s make 2026 one to remember!
This past weekend, the CWEA Executive Board met to discuss the 2026 season, focusing on ways to better serve our membership, reviewing proposals passed at the General Membership meeting, updating policies and procedures, and planning for the future success of our circuit.
As you prepare for the 2026 season, we encourage all directors and staff to review the updated Code of Conduct, By-Laws & Constitution, and Policy Manual to ensure compliance. Below are a few key changes to the CWEA Policy Manual we want to bring to your attention:
📌 Policy Updates for 2026
- 1.3.2 Entry Passes
Member groups will receive event passes based on their membership level: Standard Membership – seven passes, Deluxe Membership – nine passes, and Premium Membership – twelve passes. Non-member groups will receive seven event passes for each event they compete in. Event passes may only be issued to staff, chaperones, or bus drivers, and are not to be provided to spectators or individuals not directly associated with the performing group. Depending on the venue, these passes may be designated for backside seating only.
Wristbands will be provided for all members of a participating group (active performers, alternate performers, and/or injured performers). This does not include staff, volunteers, parents and/or chaperones, and other persons not considered performers at the discretion of CWEA. Any abuse of the entry passes policy could result in a penalty up to and including disqualification. Enforcement of this policy is at the discretion of the CWEA Contest Administrator in consultation with the Timing & Penalty judge.
- 3.5.3 Non-Member Group Classifications
Non-member groups may select the class in which they wish to compete relative to their current experience and ability but may not compete in Scholastic Regional AA.
- 3.5.8 Color Guard Championships Automatic Reclassification
The Top THREE scoring groups at Circuit Championships, regardless of round, from Scholastic Regional AA, Scholastic Regional A, Scholastic AAA, and Scholastic AA will automatically be reclassified up to the next class for the subsequent season. This change will be applied to color guard groups from the 2025 Circuit Championships and will be updated in Competition Suite prior to the 2026 Membership Registration.
- 4.1.7 Sound Policy (Color Guard Only)
All performance music for color guards must be submitted via Competition Suite no later than 11:59 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the event.
- 4.2.2 Qualification for Percussion and Winds Groups
After much discussion with the Executive Board and input from the Percussion and Winds Advisory Council, the Board has decided to remove the Premiere requirement for Percussion and Winds groups for the 2026 season. In order for Percussion and Winds groups to qualify for Circuit Championships they must meet the following criteria:- Perform in at least three circuit events (no Premiere requirement).
- Groups may use a WGI Regional performance to substitute for one of their circuit event requirements.
- Perform in at least three circuit events (no Premiere requirement).
🔗 Resources
Please keep in mind that the above list includes only a few of the updates in the Policy Manual. Directors and staff are responsible for being familiar with all policies in full. The updated 2026 Policy Manual, By-Laws & Constitution, and Code of Conduct can currently be found in the Resources section of Competition Suite (you can click the link on our website to be redirected: cweaindoor.org/resources-and-files/). We will also be updating the website so these documents can be accessed without logging into Competition Suite.
We appreciate your continued support and cooperation! More information on the 2026 event calendar and registration will be shared soon. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
Member Registration will open at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Event Registration for the 2026 season will open at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Now is a great time to make sure all staff and administrator information for your group is correct in Competition Suite. You must be listed as the Administrator for your group in order to register. If you have any issues, please email [email protected].
The complete 2026 event schedule will be posted later this week.
We can’t wait to see you this season!
#TeamCWEA
Applications for the 2025 CWEA Academic Scholarship and Jeff Bridges Memorial Scholarship are now available!
The Academic scholarship program is open to all performers participating in a group that will compete at a CWEA event this season. Applicants must be currently enrolled as a high school senior or already enrolled in college. The CWEA Awards Committee will review all applications for these scholarships and select students who stand out in qualities of academic, artistic, and personal achievements. Please click the link below to learn more about the Academic Scholarships, see if you qualify, and submit your application.
The Jeff Bridges Memorial scholarship aims to offer participants the opportunity to continue their education in the marching arts by helping to support their tuition costs. Please click the link below to learn more about the Jeff Bridges Memorial Scholarship, see if you qualify, and submit your application.
Jeff Bridges Memorial Scholarship
Brand new for this season, we will have all tickets for CWEA events sold online through GoFan. Cash will no longer be accepted for admission to CWEA regular season competitions, as we now offer cashless, presale tickets via GoFan.co.
You can buy tickets in advance now by going to any regular season event page and clicking/tapping “Buy Event Tickets” to navigate to GoFan.co. You can also download the GoFan app to your device.
