Sophomore Bekah Tate has become a captain of the color guard. Tate stepped up when their coach had to put her instruction on pause due to a family incident.

“The on field routines are usually created by a coach. Our first few routines were created in this manner. But when our coach had to quit, the last song was choreographed by the student leaders and I,” Tate said.

Tate took charge and organized their final routine, with help from other members of the guard. The team’s goal was to express the band’s music through movement, style, and color, which they hoped would enhance the audience’s experience.

“The group has stuck together much better than expected given our circumstances,” Tate said. “We made it through a tough season and took the obstacles we faced in stride.”

Tate deems this to be one of their biggest accomplishments, considering that they did not have a coach for some time.

Ryan Arp, one of the band instructors at City and the main marching band instructor has had to work with the color guard more than usual due to the instructor not being present for the season.

“I’ve been impressed all season with the color guard and how they’ve handled themselves in the situation. They have worked hard to have the success they have had,” Arp said.

If the color guard had to stop this year due to lack of instruction, Tate indicates that the band would not have been same without it.

“I think people do realize how important we are to the show. Without the guard, the band wouldn’t look as superb as it does. If the marching band was just the instruments marching in formations on field, the audience wouldn’t be as interested. Color guard pulls eyes to the field so people actually watch and pay attention to what’s happening,” Tate said.

The guard does not only work each other, but also with the band to create an image of the music they play. Along with being a way to compliment the band, the guard is also a way to show expression and come together as a whole through their routines.

“My favorite part of color guard is the moments of unity the guard has, when our flags are extensions of ourselves and the group as a whole,” she said.

As well as performing and expression, Tate thinks that being in the guard has improved everyone in some way and that it is not only the actual act of performing that is important.

“As a group of people we have grown and have become better guard members and better people throughout this season [because of the guard],” Tate said.

Color guard will be over once the football season wraps up, but a tentative schedule for winter guard is on the table.

“We’re hoping to add on members for the winter season,” Tate said.

Arp encourages the color guard to continue strong and help the band as well.

“The more color and excitement we can add to the Little Hawk Marching Band [for next year] the better,” he said.