Submitted by Emma Nellinger
Every year the Newberry High School Winterguard likes to have a small community performance, often including other ensembles like this year’s Project Arts World, because they live in a very tight knit small town. As this is my first season instructing them, I was pleasantly surprised as to how large the turnout ended up being! I had created a Facebook event for the Panther Pride Community Show and about 30 people had RSVP-ed, and that’s if you included the members and staff. When the show was about to begin and I was making announcements, I was pleasantly shocked to see about 70 audience members with ages ranging from grandparents to toddlers. We also saw students from Santa Fe and Gainesville High School’s guards come out to support us.We performed our show “Falling For Me,” and I have never witnessed such a responsive crowd to a group of this size. We have nine members and are in B class, so generally we are performing to empty bleachers. When these kids heard the applause and cheers, you could see in their performance how much of a difference that made. Their exhaustion was nowhere to be found, even after 6 hours of rehearsal and a full run through right before this performance in a hot gym.
Project Arts did an amazing job as well, and both groups did a magnificent job of cheering and encouraging each other during their performances. It was a very good night to be a Newberry Blueberry.
Submitted by Jill Moser
The thought process behind community night originated with the idea of “A Night Without Competition”. We have all seen it or experienced it before, after an amazing run a group of performers full of excitement and pride can quickly change to disappointment over a number or a placement. An evening like this assures, we are all there for one reason… to entertain!
Each group sits in the stands collectively until it is their turn to perform. They are not outside for warm-up and rotation, they are in the gym supporting the other performers. This can be a nail biter for staffs knowing our kids are basically going to get up a do a “cold run” but the electricity in the gym motivates the performers to excel and enjoy their performance. The audience is extremely supportive and the evening turns out to be one of the most memorable of our season.
This year we were fortunate to have Mike Palau as Master of Ceremonies. He made the evening fun and kept the audience entertained in between performances.
Our night began with an incredible performance by the Nease Select Ensemble performing the Star Spangled banner to a packed house. Then we were treated by an incredible high energy performance by NOPE, Nease Open Percussion Ensemble. Atlantic Coast kicked off the guard portion with “circus”. Creekside HS had some of the most entertaining performers, you couldn’t help but smile watching them. Next up Oakleaf HS, in their new costumes full of elegance and sophistication, Followed by Bartram Trail B with clever movement, clean flags and great intensity. Then Nease JV brought a chill through the gym with their Winter Show, smiles ear to ear and lots of great moments and sparkle. After intermission Fletcher HS with a very demanding and solid show performed. Strong performers and skills in this team. Bartram Trail A took the floor with the most gorgeous costumes and floor. Their presence and training is undeniable. The evening concluded with Nease World performing “Perception”, high energy, awesome individual performers, great hands, they make guard look cool.
it was an awesome evening had by all.
