Learn about Allegiance Color Guard at open house

Submitted by Allegiance Youth Color Guard

Allegiance Youth Color Guard of Dundee will host an open house night for new and current members to learn about the organization’s upcoming winter guard season. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Instructional Materials Center at Dundee Middle School, 4200 W. Main St. in West Dundee.

Interested youth and their parents can stop by anytime during those hours to receive more information and have the opportunity to sign up. Membership is open to all male and female youth between the ages of 7-22 from the Fox Valley area and beyond. Previous color guard experience is not required.

“Winter guard is a fun activity that combines physical fitness and the performing arts,” said Eric Hall, director of Allegiance Color Guard. “It teaches youth teamwork and performance skills while building self-confidence and self-esteem.”

Allegiance currently offers two winter guard teams based on age and skill level. The teams are taught choreographed routines to prerecorded music using colorful flags, imitation rifles, sabers and other visual props. Once learned, the teams travel and perform their routines at Midwest color guard shows in judged competition. Last season, both groups shined at the 2012 Midwest Color Guard Circuit Championships held in La Porte, Ind. The cadet team (ages 7-14) earned the bronze medal in the Independent Junior division with their rendition of “Little Shop of Horrors” while the Allegiance “A” team (ages 14-20) took 4th out of 8 groups in the Independent “A” class division performing their show, “The Mayan Calendar.”

Rehearsals for the 2012-13 winter guard season start Sept. 18. For information, call (847) 409-4182 or email director@allegianceyouth.org. You can also visit Allegiance Color Guard online at www.allegianceyouth.org.