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FFCC / Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit

Colorguard, Percussion, and Winds for Northern and Central Florida

Posted by Cichele Fields

Balancing Life in the Marching Arts

By Hope Watt, Featured Performer from Melbourne High School

In addition to being the captain of her Colorguard, Hope is a dual enrollment student who will graduate with both her AA and high school diploma this spring. 

There are many of us who have lots of responsibilities and love colorguard. With these responsibilities, it can be hard to handle and can be very stressful at times. But there are things we can do to help this weight on our shoulders and there are things that our parents/coaches can help with too.

One big thing you need to have with so many responsibilities is time management. Managing everything you need to do in a week with efficiency. To get better at this I would recommend getting a planner. This helps me spread everything out so I am not as stressed and can get everything done.

Another thing that most people do not really think about is that your mental health is important. It is important to set time aside for yourself or something that you love that will keep you sane. For example, you have a ton of math to finish today. You are working hard for hours. So take a break, watch one episode of your favorite show.

When things get really stressful and you are feeling like giving up, just remember why you are doing this. For me I think, I need to get this school work done to graduate with a good gpa. I need to go to work and make money to save for college. I need to get this choreography down so I don’t break in the show. Just remember why you are doing this and focus your energy towards that.

To get some more perspective on things I interviewed a fellow FFCC Featured Performer Syndi Leon.

  1. What do you do to make sure you get everything done on time?

I find it EXTREMELY helpful to have a planner! I started using a planner in 2019 and ever since then it has allowed me to see all my assignments upcoming due dates, colorguard/ dance practice, work schedule, and other special events. Using a planner is beneficial because it helps with time management and I can visually see what I need to do in the upcoming days. I also try to work on things like 2-3 days in advanced so that I not cramping everything in one day.

  1. What do you do to make sure you are staying sane during all of it?

Like everyone else, I do sometimes get stressed out and have a small meltdowns, but I feel that is just how I am. I like to make sure I am prepared for everything and it stresses me out if I don’t know exactly what’s to come. So to help keep me sane I find it helpful joting down a to do list. By writing down what’s the most important to least important will allow me to visually see what I need to do first. And after I write down my task I feel a bit better just knowing what I need to do, and I feel relieved when I can finally check off the task.

  1. What could your parents do to help?

My parents always remind me that I am doing a great job and they continue to encourage me to keep pushing forward. They remind me to focus on what’s happening now instead of stressing over the unpredictable future.

  1. What did your coach or coaches do help?

My coach is super understanding of how busy my schedule can be. She is always willing to give some great time management and organization tips. Which I feel has helped me tremendously get to where I am now.

I hope that this information can help anyone out there who deals with many responsibilities and I wish everyone the best of luck this season.

Posted by: Cichele Fields on February 24, 2021 || Filed Under: Fan News, Front Page Feature, Guard News, NOW! News, Percussion & Winds News, Uncategorized, Winds News

Posted by Cichele Fields

2021 Championships Update

We are working diligently with the Ocean Center and the City of Daytona Beach to make sure our performers, staff, and spectators can have a great and safe experience at the 2021 FFCC Championships!

Here’s an update on the schedule and other important information you need to know as you plan your trip to Daytona Beach:

  • Schedule of Performances 

    • The tentative schedule for classes of competition is below. These times are approximate and may change slightly.
    • Seeding will be set after the March 6th competitions, and no more promotions will take place after that weekend.
    • Unfortunately, due to the length of the competition day, safety protocols, and staffing needs, we will not be offering a live solo competition this year. We will offer a virtual solo competition, hosted by Box 5, in April. Details will be available soon.
  • Tickets

    • The full schedule, along with tickets will be available on March 12th.  Anyone entering the building must have a ticket, including small children. 
    • Day passes for an entire group of flights will be available February 23rd-March 7th. There are a limited number of these passes available. Click here to learn more.
    • All ticket information will be posted on our Ticket Page as soon as it is available
  • Awards

    • There will be no full retreat ceremonies at Championships this year. Because we are using only the main arena due to reduced numbers and cost mitigation, there is not enough time in the schedule to safely conduct retreat ceremonies.
    • Placements will be announced at the end of each flight, and directors will pick up awards from a designated location.
    • Designated outdoor locations will be available to medalists for photos, etc. If you choose to meet in one of these spaces, a member of our media team will come by to take photos/video.
    • All teams are encouraged to go take pictures on the beach, boardwalk, and other outdoor spaces after their flight.
    • Senior medals must be purchased by March 15th- please don’t forget!
  • Building

    • The entire building will be open to one flight at a time.
    • Championships merchandise will be available on site.
    • Spectator entrances will be at the North side only, and wristband pick up will be at the North outside box office. There will be another event happening in the Exhibition Hall. YOU MAY NOT USE THE SOUTH ENTRANCE.
    • Director check in will be located in a separate room with access by only one person per team, details TBA.
    • Performers will enter on the East side of the building for photos and holding. Details TBA.
    • Warm up will be outdoors only, with the exception of a rain plan.
  • Virtual Program/Yearbook

    • Team entries for the the virtual yearbook are due on February 28th. Don’t miss out on your team being included this year. Please see the director newsletter or Facebook group for information, or contact Jenny Barker.
    • If your business is interested in advertising in our program, please contact Jenny Barker at jenny@ffcc.org
  • Tentative Schedule

    Schedule with times will be available on March 12th
    Session 1:
    Friday – Cadet Novice, Cadet and Class B Colorguards – Start Time – 1:00pm.  End Time – 8:52pm
    Flight 1 – Cadet Novice, Cadet, and Class B
    Flight 2 – Class B
    Flight 3 – Class B
    Session 2:
    Saturday – Scholastic AAA Colorguards – Start Time – 9:00am.  End Time – 2:40pm
    Flight 1 – Scholastic AAA
    Flight 2 – Scholastic AAA
    Flight 3 – Scholastic AAA
    Session 3:
    Saturday – Winds and Percussion – Start Time – 3:05pm.  End Time – 10:59pm
    Flight 4 – Winds
    Flight 5 – AA and A Marching Percussion
    Flight 6 – Concert, Ind A, Open, and World Marching Percussion
    Session 4:
    Sunday – AA, A, Open, and World Colorguards – 9:00am.  End Time – 6:53pm
    Flight 1 – Scholastic AA
    Flight 2 – Scholastic A
    Flight 3 – Scholastic A
    Flight 4 – Independent A, and All Open and World Class

Posted by: Cichele Fields on February 22, 2021 || Filed Under: Fan News, FFCC Championships, FFCC Now FAQ, Front Page Feature, Guard News, NOW! News, Percussion & Winds News, Uncategorized, Winds News

Posted by Cichele Fields

Preparing For Premiere in the Midst of a Pandemic

Preparing For Premiere in the Midst of a Pandemic

By: Emily Ward, Featured Performer from Sunlake HS

The Sunlake High School Colorguard program at rehearsal before their winter showcase, earlier in the year.

Every year, teams spend months leading up to the winter competition season preparing for the experience of a lifetime: performing a show for an audience full of supporting spectators to see. This year, unlike any other seen before, programs have been finding unique ways to cultivate a positive, successful learning environment, while ensuring the health and safety of every member involved in the creation of each marching arts show.

Throughout the state of Florida teams have adapted their rehearsals and shows to each district’s safety guidelines to protect all performers. Even with the addition of new safety protocols this season, all teams are as excited and ready as ever to begin showing their passion for the marching arts to the world again.

In Pinellas county, Danielle Morgan, a colorguard captain from Osceola Fundamental High School, said that her program has been making sure that “after each practice, the following morning we disinfect each piece of equipment. Our program takes the privilege of our county allowing us to compete very seriously, and we do our best to ensure everyone’s safety from the moment we enter for practice, until the moment we leave.” Along with Danielle and her team, Juan Brito, a first-year on Tampa Independent’s open class colorguard, spoke about how his program “has to wear masks the entire rehearsal, just so that we’re all staying safe and making sure no one is able to give or get covid.” Juan goes on to say that wearing masks throughout rehearsal, “honestly helps [him] feel safe, knowing that TI is doing the most we can to follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines.”

When it comes to any marching arts show, drill is a very important factor in bringing a designer’s vision to fruition. With the ever-present concern of COVID-19 in the forefront of everyone’s minds, many designers are paying special attention to how they lay out their team’s drill. Emily Peraza from Freedom High School Orlando said, at her school “the guard program has adapted the work [of our show] to be independent, and the drill is spaced out. We also have to be separated at all times and have marked squares on our floor to warm up!”

While preparing for the new season, teams had to work on recruiting new members in the midst of a pandemic, which is a bit of a challenge. Olivia Bolin, a weapon section leader at West Orange High School, said that, “as a team we have faced some difficulties in recruiting new members. Due to the shut down last year, we were unable to travel to the middle schools for recruitment, so we’ve found ourselves with a smaller number of new members than usual.” However, this has not stopped the success of the West Orange team that will make their 2021 debut at premiere central in a couple of weeks.

At many of the public high schools in Florida, mass quarantines have been happening throughout the year. Once a person gets contract traced, they are out of school and rehearsal for an average of seven to ten days, which places teams in an unfortunate position to have to have rehearsal without many of their team members. Bella Ginocchetti, a senior and captain of the Seabreeze High School colorguard, talked about how “with our school having to quarantine members who may have been exposed to COVID-19, we are missing people at our practices. It makes it harder to choreograph and write drill.” But just like Olivia and the West Orange guard program, Seabreeze is doing everything they can to have the most fun, successful, and safe season they possibly can.

With social distancing being a key factor to protecting the health of every staff member and performer in each program, team bonding is looking a bit different this season. Instead of the festive holiday parties and friendsgivings that help a team to become closer and learn to trust the people they are performing with, many programs are forgoing those things, so they can pursue a prosperous, safe season.

From Creekside High School, Hailey Gauger discussed how “team bonding has been more of a struggle than normal this season, since we can’t have gatherings outside of rehearsal, out of safety for the program.” Along with Hailey Gauger, Haley Rose, a member of the Seabreeze High School colorguard, said that her program has been going through the same dilemma, having a harder time finding ways to facilitate team bonding, while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. Haley stated that “finding time to bond has been more difficult this season, since social distancing and quarantining have made things so different from the previous seasons.”

Despite the plentiful obstacles that are being thrown in the paths of each team within the circuit, every program is finding ways to make practices work and to assure that they are able to have an enjoyable season with the FFCC, starting with the premieres that will be taking place in the coming weeks. The dawn of a new season is upon us and every single team in the circuit is stepping up to the plate, ready to show off their absolute adoration for the marching arts.

Posted by: Cichele Fields on February 12, 2021 || Filed Under: Fan News, Front Page Feature, Guard News, NOW! News, Percussion & Winds News, Uncategorized, Winds News

Posted by Cichele Fields

Mask Policy Update

An Important Update for all Directors Regarding 2021 Safety Policies

When we began planning for hosting live events during the 2021 season, our goal was to create the safest environment possible for performers, staff, and spectators.Part of that planning included the obligation to continually reevaluate our safety policies throughout the season.

Although our first premiere show went exceptionally well, and spectators, staff, and performers adhered to policies without incident, we felt it necessary to revisit the policy regarding masks during performances, which was previously left to the discretion of the school district policies of the shows hosts and of individual teams.

In an effort to eliminate any inconsistencies throughout the season and maintain the safest possible environment for everyone, the board has voted that the FFCC mask policy will include performers at all times on all campuses, including while performing, effective immediately. We want to ensure that all teams have the opportunity to complete their season, and it is our obligation to provide policy that supports the safest environment for all involved.

Thank you for your understanding.

Posted by: Cichele Fields on February 7, 2021 || Filed Under: Fan News, Guard News, Member Updates, NOW! News, Percussion & Winds News, Public FAQs, Uncategorized, Winds News

Posted by Cichele Fields

Find Your 2021 Photos

Learn more about our 2021 Photographers and where to find your photos each week!

Posted by: Cichele Fields on February 5, 2021 || Filed Under: Fan News, Front Page Feature, Guard News, Member FAQs, Member Updates, NOW! News, Percussion & Winds News, Uncategorized, Winds News

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