Christmas is just around the corner! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WE WELCOME ALL 7-13 YEAR OLDS TO JOIN US AS WE BEGIN REHEARSALS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH FROM 12-3 PM AT CENTURY MIDDLE SCHOOL IN ORLAND PARK
This first rehearsal is taking place on a Sunday, however, if you look at the schedule, the majority of Cadet Guard rehearsals will take place on Saturday evenings. Some items that will nee to be filled out prior to participation: 1-is a rehearsal/contest schedule for the season (please note that some of these dates and times may change due to facitlity scheduling) 2- is a hold harmless agreement that must be filled out and signed by a parent, prior to your children joining us on the 9th 3- is a medical form that must be filled out and signed by a parent, prior to your child joining us on the 9th. 4-- is small packet of information about who are and what we do. There is also information regarding fee payments and tentative fundraising plans. We will be holding a parents meeting later in November to get our season started. This is a great way to get to know us more, learn how we operate and to sign up to assist in many ways. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to email our Cadet Guard Co-Directors: Jeanie Cacciato independencebwg@yahoo.com orLisa Otto gottatechthat2@yahoo.com
Thank you again for your interest in the Cadets of Independence!! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 9th.
Jeanie Cacciato, Lisa Otto and Chuck Cummings
The 2009 INDEPENDENCE WINTER GUARDS
of tinley park and orland park, illinois
Common Questions and Answers:
What will we do? The audition process will give you an experience to excel in your efforts. Auditions are very relaxed in order for our staff to see the full potential of each performer. You will be exposed to our movement and equipment technique principles and you will meet the entire staff. You will learn a few audition routines, perform in small groups and have fun meeting new people who love the winter guard activity. You may be asked to sit through a quick interview with the Director for us to gain better insight to you and your personality.
In the past, you offered an A and an Open Guard, will this hold true for 2009?
We are going to ask for everyone’s patience throughout the course of the 3 Sundays. In your Audition Questionnaire, there will be a question for all to answer regarding their choice of classification for the auditions. If we feel that we have the membership to maintain both an A and an Open Guard, we will make that choice once the auditions are underway. Understand that if we have an A and an Open guard, we will put individuals in the guard we feel they would excel the most in.
I am a college student. Will I still be able to perform with Independence? Absolutely. In fact, a large number of our performers over the past few years have been students at colleges and universities throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio. Our entire rehearsal schedule has been designed with students in mind.
What if I need to miss school for travel weekends?
As proponents of education, we recognize that your studies and education must come first. If you are required to miss any classes due to travel to either Regionals or World Championships, you will be provided a letter to whomever (Professor, Dean, Principal) at your particular school asking their permission to allow your absence to participate in an event that Independence is involved in. There is no guarantee that you will receive the excused absences, but we are willing to help in any way possible. On the contrary, school work is never an excuse to miss rehearsals/competitions and should be kept current throughout the season.
What does it cost to perform with Independence? While our membership dues have not yet been established, it is our intent to make the season financially feasible for the membership. We do our best to make it affordable to all performers. Our costs for the past three seasons have averaged $400-$800 (all inclusive). Each unit (Cadet, A or Open) will pay a particular amount relative to the needs for that classification. Some Fundraisers will be earmarked to assist in raising individual dues for the performers. The amount raised in these fundraisers will be placed into “individual accounts” for each member. Other fundraisers will be held to strictly raise funds for the organization, and everyone will participate in those fundraisers as well. Dues can be paid over the course of the season in monthly installments. Cast members will receive the payment plan calendar at one of the first rehearsals.
When do you rehearse?
Being and independent organization, we do not have the luxury of owning our own facility. We rely on local schools and churches for rehearsal space and do our best to schedule appropriate rehearsal times. The Cadet guard will only rehearse a few hours on Saturday afternoons. The A Guard and/or Open Guard will rehearse on Saturdays, 12-10 pm and Sundays from 9am-3pm. Overnight camps may be scheduled over the next few weeks. The entire membership will be notified in advance of these camps. These times are still tentative as we are waiting on facility confirmations.
What shows will you be attending in 2009? The Cadet Guard will remain local and compete only in the Midwest Color Guard Circuit contests and Championships. Independence A and/or Open Guards will compete in the MWCGC, as well as attend the WGI Atlanta or Nashville Power Regional, the Indianapolis Power Regional and the Winter Guard International Championships in April.
How do we travel from rehearsals and contests?
In order to keep the membership dues affordable for all, we sacrifice a little by relying on our membership to assist each other in sharing rides and/or carpooling to and from rehearsals/contest sites. At this point, we do not have our own forms of transport (our own busses or vans). Most of the MWCGC contests which we attend are within 1 hours’ driving time. We are currently looking into other modes of transportation for the Regional and Championship weekends and will have more information as it is available.
I am unable to perform with Independence for the 2009 season, may I just attend auditions just for the experience?
ABSOLUTELY!! You may join us just for the experience of how the Independence Winter Guards are instructed. You are still asked to pay the audition fees, but are welcome to join us on all 3 Dates.
I instruct a high school marching band or color guard and we have contests on the designated audition dates, how can I still audition?
Persons in this or other similar situations may audition via videotape/dvd. You must contact Chuck at independencecg@yahoo.com before sending in a tape. VHS tapes/ DVD’s should arrive at on or before September 24th . A live audition may be required after that during a subsequent rehearsal. An audition video should include the following: Please make sure you are PERFORMING FULL OUT on the video tape, this is our only chance to see you shine. In this video please introduce yourself, tell us a little about your past experience, and include movement/dance (technique and choreography), Flag (technique and choreography), and if you are planning on auditioning for weapon (rifle/ sabre/flag technique and choreography). Your video does not have a time limit, just make sure you are performing FULL OUT and that you are demonstrating skills like spins, tosses (Up to a 6 or 7 on weapon, include 45 tosses on flag), choreography (with or without music) that will show your ability to move and spin at the same time.
If you have other questions that are not covered here…………. Feel free to contact us via email independencecg@yahoo.com or by phone at 708-227-0199.
Keep checking the website for any updates at
http://independencecolorguard.org
MWCGC Independent Open Finals 4-6-08 Independence Open 86.6 1 Velocity 79.1 2
MWCGC Cadet Finals 4-5-08 CLASS GUARD PLACE SCORE Cadet Steperette Cadets 1 85.4 Cadet Cadets of Independence 2 84 Cadet Evolution Cadets 3 71.9
After a largely successful 2007 season, the Independence Winter Guard of Tinley Park, Illinois celebrates it's 10th Anniversary this year.
Independence has the philosophy that all members must be encouraged to learn using the fundamental rules established by WGI and MWCGC and grow as both performers and as people. This growth is achieved by cooperation, respect and teamwork within the members ranks, staff and also other Winter Guards.
Over the past 10 years, many individuals have been generous with their time and effort in keeping this once small organization thriving. Since its inception, the Independence Winter Guard has maintained an all volunteer staff. Many talented individuals have graced this organization with their abilities and positive attitudes to instruct our members and help them grow as individuals. Thank you to everyone who has given of their time over the years!!
Thank you to our parent organization, families, friends, local high school units, past members and the entire Mid West Color Guard Circuit for your support of Independence over the past 9 years. You have helped in so many ways!
Chuck Cummings Executive Director-Independence Winter Guard, Inc.
MWCGC Independent Open Finals 4-6-08