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Color Guard


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Who is the Color Guard?

Rainbow City Color Guard a group of people with a wide range of experience and skills that like to spin things. A lot. We have experienced guard members, people with just a couple years' experience under their belts, and people who are new but enthusiastic about learning. All of us have a great time putting on a show and wowing the crowds as we lead the marching band in their parades. And we enjoy practicing our own spinning skills as well as sharing what we know so the group as a whole can do more challenging and spectacular shows.

What the Color Guard Does

We accompany Rainbow City Marching Band to parades and festivals, putting on a visual show at the head of the band (in parades) or front-and-center (at festivals where we aren't marching) to accompany the band's music. We learn routines for 5 marching charts and 5 more for standing events. We use flags, sabres, air blades, or a combination of these in our performance.

We start in the Fall with workshops to build skills and to learn routines for a winter performance at an RCPA event. Once our summer music becomes available in January, we focus on honing routines to perform over the next summer.


Common Membership Questions


How do you engage with the community?

As part of the marching band, we have public events all summer where we support pride festivals and other public outdoor events.


When and where are the rehearsals? How long is the performance season?

Rehearsals in the initial part of the season when rehearsing alone are on Wednesdays in the University District with occasional Saturdays. When rehearsing with marching band, we move to Mondays in the Wedgwood neighborhood.

Performances at marching band events are between June and September.


What could I spin?

All members spin flags, but some also spin air blades or sabres.

All equipment needed to perform is provided.


What’s the skill level required? Is there an audition or cap on membership?

We welcome members of all skill and experience levels. We have a supportive environment for you to build your skills. We do not audition and we welcome members of all abilities who want to learn and excel with us!


When can I join?

Contact us at any time to let us know your interest and we will connect you with the ensemble to join at the next opportunity. The best times to jump in are in October or February each year.


How do you develop and teach routines?

We develop our routines in an inclusive process through workshops over the winter. Members are welcome to help create and develop routines.

Routines are taught by both leaders and individual members using recorded music available online for members to practice at home. Marching with the band begins in mid-May with band camp.


What are the basic requirements of membership?

We ask members to attend 80% of all rehearsals or make arrangements otherwise. Member dues are $75 per quarter, or you can utilize our Angel Fund to cover your dues in case of financial need.


 

How do I sign up?

Click here to fill out our membership interest form. We'll get back to you soon about when you can join the color guard!

Color Guard's History

For the first ten years of its history, Rainbow City Band marched without a color guard. Finally, in 2008, one of our members volunteered to put together a team to march with us in summer parades. The guard had fun, the band loved having a visual show to complement their music, and in the fall we decided to make the color guard an ongoing ensemble.

Though we started spinning just flags, we've marched with air blades, sabres, and other accessories to add variety to our shows and match the skill level of our members and the theme of our music. We continue to develop our individual skills and technique as well as working jointly with the band to create a great show.