Color Guard and Winter Guard
Join our 2-time US Bands National Champion Colorguard! Winterguard season begins in November! Dear Council RockSOUTH Marching Band Families, Thank you for your interest in our award-winning Council Rock South Color Guard! Our color guard has earned numerous accolades over the past few years including winning the Group IV-A National Championships Color Guard award in 2015 and 2016! Please note that once you become a member of the Color Guard, you become a member of the Marching Band. As such, you are expected to attend all Marching Band Rehearsals and events. Please note all of the dates on the HOME page.
If you have any questions, contact Mr. Burns jburns@crsd.org
I will continue to post periodic updates on this page. Sincerely, John Burns Director of Bands Council Rock HS South jburns@crsd.org The Council Rock South Winter Guard took the floor for the first time in the winter season of 2013. John Burns and Color Guard instructor Lauren Moffatt Burns initiated the program from a deeply held belief that Winter Guard is an essential aspect of the high school band experience. 18 young ladies and gentlemen took to the floor for the first time in the Scholastic Novice class to perform “A New Dawn” featuring an original arrangement of “Morning has Broken.” With a borrowed floor, borrowed flags, and stock costumes, the team worked diligently and finished the season in 13th place with a score of 83.5.
In 2014 the South Winter Guard performed a Production entitled “Boxed In” featuring an original composition that was crafted simultaneously alongside our staging. This was also the first time that the team donned a custom designed costume by Tommy Keenum of The Band Hall. At their first competition, South was promoted to the Scholastic Regional – A class! Council Rock South performed at their first Winter Guard International Regional competing in Regional-A and not only made finals, but also won the scholastic Regional - A division! Things continued to go well for South, and with a score of 90.98, Council Rock South won their first ever MAIN Event Championship, capping off an undefeated season!
In 2015 South moved up to Scholastic-A class with a production entitled “Indelible.” Once again original music was composed for the group. South purchased a floor and digital flags for the first time. South held their own in this competitive new class, placing as high as 2nd at various contests. The team made finals at the South Brunswick WGI Regional, and ultimately won the bronze medal at the MAIN Event!
The 2016 season proved eventful for the South Winterguard. Performing another original soundtrack for their production “Continuum” (yes we did it BEFORE that awesome Drum Corps from Texas,) south utilized 4 large strips of spandex as the stretched, and bent the SpaceTime Continuum. South took their show on the road, all the way to ITALY along with the South Marching Band! South capped off their season with another appearance at Finals in South Brunswick, winning the SILVER medal at the 2016 MAIN Championships.
We are very proud that we will offer this experience for a fifth year at Council Rock South. Bringing a quality winter guard production to the floor requires a lot of planning and hard work. Much like a theatrical production, modern winter guard utilizes artistic elements such as costumes, props, and music. Most of these props, flags, and the set itself are the result of the hard work of parents and volunteers. I’m very proud of our kids, and I try to make them cognizant of the fact that this experience would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our parents and volunteers, as well as the full support of our administration here at South. Thank You to everyone who makes winter guard a reality here at Council Rock South!
On Saturday, February 18th 2016 the Council Rock South Marching Band will host its third annual Winter Color Guard competition, “SpinOut at the Rock.” The event will feature some of the best color guards from New Jersey and Pennsylvania together in the spirit of comradery through competition. Council Rock South boasts one of the finest high school gymnasiums in Southeastern Pennsylvania, providing a superb performance venue for color guards at any level!
“SpinOut at the Rock” is a Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network (MAIN) winter guard competition. Nearly every class of competition will be represented in our contest including: Middle School, Independent and Scholastic Novice, Independent and Scholastic Regional-A, Independent and Scholastic-A, Scholastic Open, and Independent and Scholastic World! SpinOut will also feature performances from our own Holland-Richboro Middle School Winter Guard, and the Council Rock South Winter Guard. Many of the competitors in this event will move on to compete in the MAIN circuit championships on Saturday, April 26th at South Brunswick High School.
“SpinOut at the Rock” serves as a fundraiser for the Council Rock South Marching Band. Dozens of parent and student volunteers will be on hand to make every aspect of the event run smoothly. Your patronage in our beautiful cafeteria will directly benefit the students in our band and colorguard. The first performance is tentatively scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony will take place following the final performance of the night.
I hope you will join us for this very special event!
Sincerely,
John G. Burns, Jr.
Director of Bands
Council Rock High School South
Be sure to visit our website: www.spinoutattherock.com
In 2018 the Council Rock South Winterguard presented “Alone.” With original music by John Burns, and costumes inspired by the Painting “Son of Man” by Surrealist artist Rene Magritte, and designed by Tommy Keenum of the Band Hall, South wowed audiences with an expressive and at times introspective presentation. A lone figure stands beneath an umbrella on a black stage. The thoughts of this soul alone in the rain literally unfold on the stage. Though storm clouds appear, there is a bright sky on the horizon. No matter how we feel in this journey, you are never truly alone.
Saturday, January 27th Video
Spring-Ford HS Royersford, PA
Results: FIRST Place out of 3, score of 62.72
Saturday, February 3rd WGI Philadelphia Regional AT Council Rock South! Results: REGIONAL CHAMPIONS! First Place out of 10, score of 69.52
Saturday, February 17th Video Council Rock HS South Holland, PA Results: HOST
Saturday, February 24th Video WGI South Brunswick Regional South Brunswick, NJ Results: 2nd in Round 1, score of 74.770 Finalist!
Sunday, February 25th Video WGI South Brunswick Regional South Brunswick, NJ Results: Eighth Place out of 12, score of 75.050 Finalist!
Saturday, March 3rd Video South Brunswick HS Mid-Season South Brunswick, NJ Results: Second Place out of 10, score of 77.450
Saturday, March 10th Video Hatboro-Horsham HS Horsham, PA Results: Second Place out of 6, score of 81.66
Saturday, March 17th Video WGI Eastern Power Regional Bethlehem, PA Results: 2nd in Round 1, score of 81.2 Finalist!
Sunday, March 18th Video WGI South Eastern Power Regional Bethlehem, PA Results: Fifth Place out of 13, score of 82.255 Finalist!
Saturday, April 7th Video Upper Dublin HS, Fort Washington, PA Results: Second Place out of 6, score of 86.010
Saturday, April 21st Video MAIN Circuit Championships South Brunswick, NJ Results: Second Place out of 13 in the Circuit, score of 90.870 SILVER MEDALISTS and Highest Scholastic A winterguard score to date!
Below is a recap of our season so far: Saturday, January 30th Spring-Ford HS Royersford, PA Results: FIRST Place out of 3, score of 55.15
Saturday, February 6th
Hillsborough HS Hillsborough, NJ
Results: Third Place out of 6, score of 61.27
Saturday, February 20
Council Rock HS South Holland, PA
Results: HOST
Saturday, February 27th
WGI South Brunswick Regional South Brunswick, NJ
Results: Sixth Place out of 23, score of 74.08 Finalist!
Sunday, February 28th
WGI South Brunswick RegionalSouth Brunswick, NJ
Results: Sixth Place out of 12, score of 74.55 Finalist!
Saturday, March 5th
South Brunswick HS Mid-Season South Brunswick, NJ
Results: Second Place out of 12, score of 77.42
Saturday, April 2nd
Upper Dublin HS, Fort Washington, PA
Results: First Place out of 3, score of 83.22
Monday, April 11th Council Rock High School South, PA
PARENT PREVIEW SHOW (Featuring C3, Council Rock North –White, and Council Rock South)
Saturday, April 16th
MAIN Circuit Championships South Brunswick, NJ
Results: Second Place out of 12 in the Circuit, score of 89.020 SILVER MEDALISTS ******************************************************************* In its third year of existence, the Council Rock High School South winter guard is well on its way to making a name for itself as a fierce contender in the Scholastic-A class of the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network (MAIN). Following an undefeated season in the Scholastic Regional-A division, South moved up to the Scholastic -A division of competition for the 2015 season.
Despite having an incomplete show for their first 4 performances, South finished as high as second place in local competition and made finals at the 2015 WGI South Brunswick Regional, placing 5th in the Scholastic-A division. South also powered up to 2nd place at the MAIN mid-season show on Saturday, March 7th. On Saturday March 14th, South won the Scholastic-A division at Hatboro-Horsham HS.
Looking ahead, South will be competing in their first WGI Regional Championship event, held at Monmouth University. South will also compete once again at Somerville HS on March 28th. The season will conclude at the MAIN Championships at South Brunswick High School on Saturday, April 25th.
Below is a recap of our season so far:
Saturday, February 6th
Hillsborough HS Hillsborough, NJ
Results: Second Place out of 5, score of 63.68
Saturday, February 21st
Council Rock HS South Holland, PA
Results: HOSTED OUR FIRST WINTER GUARD COMPETITION!
Saturday, February 28th
WGI South Brunswick Regional South Brunswick, NJ
Preliminary Results: Sixth Place out of 19, score of 71.2 WGI REGIONAL FINALIST!
Finals Results: Fifth Place out of 10, score of 71.7 WGI REGIONAL FINALIST!
Saturday, March 7th
South Brunswick HS Mid-Season South Brunswick, NJ
Results: Second Place out of 10, score of 76.19
Saturday, March 15th
Hatboro-Horsham HS Hatboro, PA
Results: First Place out of 2, score of 75.68
Saturday, March 21st
WGI Eastern Regional Championships Monmouth University, NJ
Results: Score of 75.05 Division I status
Saturday, March 28th
Somerville HS Branchburg, NJ
Results: Third Place out of 6, score of 78.82
Thursday, April 23rd Council Rock High School South, PA
PARENT PREVIEW SHOW (Featuring C3, Council Rock North –White, and Council Rock South)
Saturday, April 25th
MAIN Circuit Championships South Brunswick, NJ
Results: Third Place, BRONZE MEDALISTS!!! *******************************************************************
TheCouncil Rock South Winter Guard
The 2014 Winter Guard Season has come to its dramatic conclusion. With a score of 90.98, Council Rock South has won their first ever MAIN Event Championship, capping off an undefeated season. Coming off of a 13th place finish in Scholastic Novice class in 2013, South set off on a mission to bring a far more energetic, and sleek look to the stage in 2014. Our Production entitled “Boxed In” feature dan original composition that was crafted simultaneously alongside our staging. The staff was confident that our team would be more competitive in the Novice Class. We were so successful however, that we were promoted to Scholastic Regional-A at our first competition!
Our expectations for the new classification were open-ended as we headed into our first competition in the new class. Low and behold, we managed to finish on top once again! Prior to the start of the winter guard season, we registered for our first ever Winter Guard International Regional, assuming that we would be well out of our league as a locally Novice color guard. Everyone was thrilled when we not only made finals, but also won the scholastic A division. When the team also won the Mid-Season show on the following week, it was clear that we had a shot at winning it all! Now that April 12th has come and gone, I can pinch myself and believe that it did happen. Council Rock South is the 2014 Scholastic-A Regional Champion.
Winter Guard is an essential aspect of the high school band experience. I am very proud that we will offer this experience for our second year at South. Bringing a quality winter guard production to the floor requires a lot of planning and hard work. Much like a theatrical production, modern winter guard utilizes artistic elements such as costumes, props, and music. Most of these props, flags, and the set itself are the result of the hard work of parents under the direction of the creative staff. There is often fundraising involved to help make these endeavors a success. Additionally, parental help is needed to get our set, props, and our equipment from Council Rock South to each or our respective competition sites. I’m very excited about the production, the cast and the amazing possibilities. Together, we can make this an amazing season!
The South Winter Guard competes in the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network. Unlike festival style contests, all of these events will be ranking contests. Additionally, how well we do at each event will help determine our order of Performance at Circuit Championships.
Click Here for a Link to our REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Here is our Full Performance Schedule:
Saturday,February 1st
Hillsborough HS Hillsborough,NJ
Results: First Place out of 7, score of 78.8 Promotion to Regional-A Class
Saturday,February 15th
J.P.Stevens HS Edison,NJ
Results: First Place out of 3, score of 67.52 First Competition in Regional-A Class
Saturday,March 1st
WGI South Brunswick Regional South Brunswick, NJ
Preliminary Results: First Place out of 7, score of 76.73 WGI REGIONAL FINALIST!
Finals Results: First Place out of 3, score of 76.47 WGI REGIONAL CHAMPION!
Saturday, March 8th
South Brunswick HS Mid-Season South Brunswick, NJ
Results: First Place out of 7,score of 78.69
Saturday, March 15th
Hatboro-Horsham HS Hatboro, PA
Results: First Place out of 5,score of 82.56
Saturday, March 29th
Somerville HS Branchburg,NJ
Results: First Place out of 6, score of 85.15
Thursday, April 10th Council Rock High School South, PA
PARENT PREVIEW SHOW (Featuring C3, Council Rock North –White, and Council Rock South)
Saturday, April 12th
MAIN Circuit Championships South Brunswick, NJ
Results: First Place out of 8, score of 90.98
Scholastic Regional – A Gold Medalists