WGAZ Competition At Verrado
The Verrado Venom Cymbel Line posing before their competition begins
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Verrado High School hosted its annual Winter Drumline and Winter Guard competition through WGAZ (Winter Guard Arizona) program. This show is similar to the Viper Thunder Classic hosted at Verrado High School in the fall during marching season, but this show was just drumline and Color Guard performing respectively. These groups compete against each other to get the highest score and around 30 different drumlines and color guard groups competed throughout the evening.
Each performance is about 3-5 minutes long and the performers work for hours on end to try to perfect each of their delicate movements. From memorizing completed and intricate music to tossing flags, rifles, and sabers high into the air, these musicians and dancers show their passion and pride for their sport as they show off their talents to the judges.
The Verrado Venom Color Guard performed their show titled “Trials.” According to Em Penetion, one of the Venom Color Guard captions shares the premise of the narrative. “everyone has something they must overcome. Their own trial. Others support your trial but not everyone takes the help.”
Verrado Venom Percussion performed their show called “Neon Bliss.” This show tells a compelling story with highs, lows, and emotions in a cyberpunk-esk world. Emma Britain, the lead snare player, shares the compelling tale of “Neon Bliss,” sharing, “Our winter drumline show takes place in 2087, a cyberpunk city where the citizens are being controlled … but one person seems to be breaking out, getting everyone in trouble.”
Putting together this show took a lot of effort to produce, and many hours of planning and executing to put on the best performances possible. And throughout the next two months, both Winter Drumline and Winter Guard hope to see as many people supporting them as they climb the rank and get the highest score possible.
