Sunday Sessions 2/16/2025:
HAPPY SUNDAY!
Okay friends - Color Guard division, you are 5 weeks from Championships, and Percussion/Winds division, you are 7 weeks from Championships. Depending on when you kicked off your winter season, we are past the halfway point of the season. Time is of the essence, and it is imperative that you make the most of your time - both in rehearsal and in class (if you are a group that has class periods available for instruction).
Timing requirements went into effect this weekend, so if your show is not finished that is the priority. Always remember to include training and technique in your lesson plan, no matter the urgency. Training will help the creative and learning process move faster - never skip training!
The season is long and the days are short - make the most of your time by planning for success. We hope this week’s email will give you some more tools on your journey.
If there is a topic you’d love more information about, email your ideas to [email protected] to get it covered.
All the best,
Jen Barton
CWEA Education Coordinator
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PHYSICAL TRAINING - Content by Dr. Kellie Simerly
I am not going to lie - I am not performing (and haven’t for a LONG TIME) but MY knees are achy at this point of the season. I am confident that your performers have some achy knees as well!
Dr. Simerly has put together a PDF on strength training for Happy Knees for your performers. Check it out in the attached PDF.
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WINDS CORNER - Content by David Shives, Catawba Ridge HS
Mr. Shives has provided you with a sample show day itinerary, complete with a timeline, a plan for entering the gym, and suggestions to maximize critique. For more information, take a deeper dive in the PDF below.
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PERCUSSION CORNER - Content by Ryan Hall, Clover HS
Need a step by step, logistical guide for your daily process - or for a show day? Here is a great compilation of reminders as well as items that may not be on your list. Take advantage of this thorough plan from Clover HS’s Ryan Hall - learn more from the PDF below.
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COLOR GUARD CORNER - Content by Phillip Cohen, Byrnes HS
Initiation - how you begin, start, kick things off. All things require a start, and Mr. Cohen has some timely tips on all things initiation - check out the attached video for a short class on INITIATION. (Apologies for the crazy file name - with the file transfer I am unable to edit the name - thanks for your understanding!)
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MINDFULNESS AND FOCUS - Content created by Andrew Elkins, Powdersville HS + Etude
There’s a great Powerpoint linked HERE with more information about mindfulness Journals for your students - this fantastic clinic was presented at the CWEA Summit in November - highly recommend checking this out if you want your performers to be calm, cool, and confident for 2025.
Here is your journal prompt for this week - focusing on performance improvement:
Think about a time when you had a really successful performance. This performance may have been this season in 2025 or it may have been a performance in the past.
What are some key factors that contributed to that success?
- Consider timing - how much time did you have to rehearse, get ready, warmup, etc.
- Consider your warmup/rotation process - did you have more time on your own or more with the group? Was the warmup area large or small? What was your comfortability factor?
Consider both what happens during rehearsal and what you do outside of practice. Are there specific habits, routines, or preparations that help you feel more confident and prepared for a show?
- Is it important for you to do things on your own?
- Does what you practice in your own, or free time help support performance readiness?
- How much does technique warmup or training play a part in a successful show prep for you?
How can you apply these strategies to improve your future performances?
- You may or may not have control over your show-day preparation, especially if you are on a scholastic team. Consider how you can make a short, personal checklist of items you need in warmup.
- How can you look at a full week to prepare for a show, not just the rotation period?
- What can you seek help or support on from your teammates or coaches/instructors?
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MID SEASON UPDATE - Content by Jen Barton, CWEA Education Coordinator
You are now at the point where the show is probably/hopefully on the floor, and you have received feedback from at least one judging panel. This is a critical point in the season where you have a lot of decisions to make - let’s game them out to see what fits best for you and your team.
- CREATIVE NEEDS:
- Your show may not be done - THIS IS THE PRIORITY. Get the show done, friends.
- You may need to do re-writes or adjustments - take these choices seriously and consider the estimated time to make these changes. Can you make small moves with big dividends? Does it actually need to be changed - or does it need cleaning. Listen to your tapes carefully - the word opportunity indicates it needs cleaning.
- If you are telling a story of some form or fashion - ensure that it is clear and makes sense. Does the eye move where it needs to move? Do I see what you want me to see? Is there a clear focus throughout?
- CHANGES (in brief):
- Do parts need to be changed or do they need to be cleaned?
- Do you have holes that are temporary (do not make changes) or holes that are permanent (make smart adjustments to ensure balance and adherence to design principles)?
- COLOR GUARD: Would taking off a rotation of a toss, or eliminating a challenging body responsibility ensure a greater level of more consistent success? Achievement and excellence is the way.
- ....would taking 5-15 bpm off your soundtrack tempo help achievement? If you are in this boat and don't know what to do - send me an email and we can help.
- Will texturing, layering, sequencing help a moment that just isn't cleaning up? You have tools at your disposal to layer and make small changes for big dividends.
- STAMINA AND CONSISTENCY:
- Stamina and consistency can be a deciding factor - can your performers make it through the show and not just survive, but thrive?
- COLOR GUARD: Play the percentage game. Take a section or a toss 10 times - be picky. Count the number of successful reps out of the 10 and that is your percentage. If you are not able to have a 80% or higher, consider making changes.
- ALL DIVISIONS: Identify the most difficult portions of your show (ideally 30 seconds or less). Create a rehearsal routine where you do 5 reps of these 30 seconds back to back, with 10 seconds in between. Choose 3-5 segments - allowing 45-60 seconds as you switch segments (perc and winds may need longer time between to change equipment).
- Chunk #1 - Rep 1 / 10 seconds / Rep 2 / 10 seconds / Rep 3 / 10 seconds / Rep 4 / 10 seconds Rep 5
- 45-60 seconds rest and reset (P/W may need more)
- Chunk #2 - Rep 1 / 10 seconds / Rep 2 / 10 seconds / Rep 3 / 10 seconds / Rep 4 / 10 seconds Rep 5
- 45-60 seconds rest and reset (P/W may need more)
- Chunk #3 - Rep 1 / 10 seconds / Rep 2 / 10 seconds / Rep 3 / 10 seconds / Rep 4 / 10 seconds Rep 5
- NOTE: It also may be worthwhile to do section-focused chunks so students can perform for each other - do this as much as you can if you are getting commentary about performer emotion, connection, or believability.
- TRAINING AND TECHNIQUE:
- Include training and technique at every single rehearsal.
- Ideally, you should be adjusting the ratio of training to rehearsing down from the beginning of the season - at the starting phases, training should be the vast majority of rehearsal. Now, the ratio is maybe flipped the other way.
- As much as you may want to dig into edits or changes or the show - training will save you every single day. Investing in that time will only pay off down the road and contribute to growth and development in your program.
- PERFORMANCE:
- It seems a little wild to be talking about how your performers are bringing the show to life - but this is the BEST time to invest in this process. In all divisions, the performers’ believability, engagement with the audience (read as: EYE CONTACT) and communication skills are VITAL. Do your performers understand their role in this relationship? Can they get out of their choreography, their notes, their staging - and EXPRESS their program role? Can they take the audience on a journey WITH them? These skills of engagement are critical.
- Take time to discuss consummate performers - in your activity, in pop music, in dance, in public speaking, however and whatever you can find to use to inspire. Bring your show OFF the floor and into the LAP of the audience!
- Friends and family performances, or opening the last run up to the families is a great way to put your students in the mindset of performance with nerves. Students must be given as many opportunities as possible to replicate the feeling, nerves, and emotions of a live performance in front of an audience to build comfortability in that process.
This is the FUN time of year - celebrate wins. Celebrate the kids. Celebrate the journey - the days are long, but the season is about to be really short. Savor each second - and plan for success.
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See you on the floor REALLY SOON!
