Winter Guard
Newtown Winter Guard 2021-22
What is Winter Guard?
Winter Guard is the flash of colorful flags; light reflecting off silver sabers, the toss of wooden rifles, eye-catching costumes and props that all create a vision of wonder. Winter guard members learn to dance, spin flags and eventually toss sabers and wooden rifles in a fun environment that culminates with a performance that is musical, artistic and athletic. It is truly the sport of the arts! Guards are judged on use of equipment, movement, ensemble analysis, and general effect. Each week, the NHS Winter Guards will travel to MAC, WGI or other competitions where they will compete against guards in their class.
Who should join?
Anyone who likes to dance, have fun, throw things in the air and catch them! No experience necessary! The art of winter guard attracts all ages and backgrounds but if you like to dance, do gymnastics, cheer or just move to music, you will love winter guard! We provide full training and invite students of any gender and skill level . No one gets cut, because our shows are more like theater productions, no one is left out.
Program Leaders and Instructors
Director : Aaron Ovsiew, NHS Director of Bands
Winter Guard Program Director : Conor Kovatch ([email protected])
Varsity Instructors : Alyson Klubek and Conor Kovatch
Junior Varsity Instructors : Becca Tobin and Billy Brown
When is the season?
Winter guard season runs mid-November – March
Competitions take place on Saturdays from late January – March.
7th – 12th graders are invited to also participate in the Fall Season with the Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard.
Our first practice where you can come and try it out will be on November 26th at the Reed Intermediate School from 6 - 8:30.
When are practices?
Varsity Winter Guard (grades 8 – 12)
Practices held at Reed Intermediate School
Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 - 9:00 ○ 4:45 arrival -
members must be there by 4:45 in order to get floor set-up and start warm-ups
Junior Varsity Winter Guard (grades 5 – 8)
Practices held at Reed Intermediate School
Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 - 8:30 ○ 5:15 arrival -
members must be there by 5:15 in order to get floor set-up and start warm-ups
Note: If school is cancelled due to bad weather, practice is cancelled.
Where Does the Winter Guard Perform?
The Middle School and Varsity Guard perform in the Musical Arts Conference and local high schools host the competitions.
Show Day schedules will be released no later than the Wednesday before the show ○ Show days are *mandatory* - Please notify us ASAP if you have a conflict with shows/rehearsals
SAVE the DATE – Winter Guard Extravaganza/Home Show
Our Winter Guard Winter Home Show is April 2nd
This show requires participation and assistance from ALL Guard parents to assist in functions ranging from setup, parking, ticket sales, food preparation and sales, guard staging etc. In addition to being a great showcase, this event raises funds to keep our program
running. Watch for details in emails, as the show is right around the corner and get ready for some fun!
Attendance
Attendance at all practices and performances is required. If the member is not there, the guard is not complete. Planned absence(s) from a rehearsal or performance should be discussed with the coaches in advance. Members who become ill on the day of a rehearsal or performance should call the coaches or guard captains. Members who are absent from school due to medical, religious, or family reasons
are considered excused from a rehearsal or performance on the same day.
When will we get updates on the details for weekly competitions?
The performance schedule is determined weekly. You will get an email on Monday or Tuesday outlining the timeline for Saturday,
including info such as:
Winter Guard Fees
This program is almost entirely funded through its “pay to play” fees. Bus transportation is paid for through the band department budget. Much of the equipment is owned by the NHSBPC, including flagpoles, flags, sabers, equipment bags, floors, props, and equipment carts. The program also receive a subsidy from the NHS Marching Band & Guard Program.
Checks (for any payments) should be payable to NHSBPC, and may be placed in the blue band box or mailed to:
NHSBPC, PO Box 3333, Newtown, CT 06470.
OR you may register via the NHSBPC Parent Portal at https://nhsbandguard.com .
Please contact DJ Ledina with questions or to obtain a portal account at [email protected].
Varsity Fees
$360 (plus $100 if a team tracksuit is needed)
Fee includes:
● Uniform & accessories
● Banquet Ticket
● Show Shirt
● Staff salaries
● Truck rental for equipment transport
● Flag design & manufacturing
● Circuit fees for participation in WGI events
● WGI practice space rental at Regional Events
● Hotel for WGI overnight trip to NJ
Junior Varsity Fees
$360 (plus $50 if a team sweatshirt is needed)
Fee includes:
● Uniform & accessories
● Banquet Ticket
● Show Shirt
● Staff salaries
● Truck rental for equipment transport
● Flag design & manufacturing
If you have any financial concerns or want to set up a different payment plan, please contact our Treasurer (Lisa Keeping) at [email protected] Note: Refunds are only considered for medical issues and a doctor’s note is required. Any refund decision will be decided upon by the NHSBPC Board.
Parent Volunteers Needed
● Chaperones – 2 chaperones for each competition
● Floor Parents – Parents needed for each competition to help with transporting floors and equipment
● Winter Home Show – Need 6-8 parents to lead winter show committees and 15-20 parents to help day of the Winter Show.
Communication
● Primary Source of Info: Emails, at least 2x/week
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nhsguard/
● REMIND™: Text the message @nhs19guard to 81010
● NHS Marching Band & Guard Website: https://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/
Note: It is the responsibility of the guard members to listen for information about uniforms, schedule changes, practice times etc. discussed during guard practices. Parent coordinators are not always aware of all the information presented at practices, so the guard members must be attentive to staff and information they communicate.
If you have any question please feel free to reach out to Susan White at [email protected]
Winter Guard is not just about having fun, traveling, and meeting new friends. It is also about confidence building, high self-esteem, endurance, self-discipline and responsibility! Join us!
What is Winter Guard?
Winter Guard is the flash of colorful flags; light reflecting off silver sabers, the toss of wooden rifles, eye-catching costumes and props that all create a vision of wonder. Winter guard members learn to dance, spin flags and eventually toss sabers and wooden rifles in a fun environment that culminates with a performance that is musical, artistic and athletic. It is truly the sport of the arts! Guards are judged on use of equipment, movement, ensemble analysis, and general effect. Each week, the NHS Winter Guards will travel to MAC, WGI or other competitions where they will compete against guards in their class.
Who should join?
Anyone who likes to dance, have fun, throw things in the air and catch them! No experience necessary! The art of winter guard attracts all ages and backgrounds but if you like to dance, do gymnastics, cheer or just move to music, you will love winter guard! We provide full training and invite students of any gender and skill level . No one gets cut, because our shows are more like theater productions, no one is left out.
Program Leaders and Instructors
Director : Aaron Ovsiew, NHS Director of Bands
Winter Guard Program Director : Conor Kovatch ([email protected])
Varsity Instructors : Alyson Klubek and Conor Kovatch
Junior Varsity Instructors : Becca Tobin and Billy Brown
When is the season?
Winter guard season runs mid-November – March
Competitions take place on Saturdays from late January – March.
7th – 12th graders are invited to also participate in the Fall Season with the Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard.
Our first practice where you can come and try it out will be on November 26th at the Reed Intermediate School from 6 - 8:30.
When are practices?
Varsity Winter Guard (grades 8 – 12)
Practices held at Reed Intermediate School
Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 - 9:00 ○ 4:45 arrival -
members must be there by 4:45 in order to get floor set-up and start warm-ups
Junior Varsity Winter Guard (grades 5 – 8)
Practices held at Reed Intermediate School
Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 - 8:30 ○ 5:15 arrival -
members must be there by 5:15 in order to get floor set-up and start warm-ups
Note: If school is cancelled due to bad weather, practice is cancelled.
Where Does the Winter Guard Perform?
The Middle School and Varsity Guard perform in the Musical Arts Conference and local high schools host the competitions.
Show Day schedules will be released no later than the Wednesday before the show ○ Show days are *mandatory* - Please notify us ASAP if you have a conflict with shows/rehearsals
SAVE the DATE – Winter Guard Extravaganza/Home Show
Our Winter Guard Winter Home Show is April 2nd
This show requires participation and assistance from ALL Guard parents to assist in functions ranging from setup, parking, ticket sales, food preparation and sales, guard staging etc. In addition to being a great showcase, this event raises funds to keep our program
running. Watch for details in emails, as the show is right around the corner and get ready for some fun!
Attendance
Attendance at all practices and performances is required. If the member is not there, the guard is not complete. Planned absence(s) from a rehearsal or performance should be discussed with the coaches in advance. Members who become ill on the day of a rehearsal or performance should call the coaches or guard captains. Members who are absent from school due to medical, religious, or family reasons
are considered excused from a rehearsal or performance on the same day.
When will we get updates on the details for weekly competitions?
The performance schedule is determined weekly. You will get an email on Monday or Tuesday outlining the timeline for Saturday,
including info such as:
- Practice times for the day by team (Varsity and Junior Varsity)
- Bus departure/arrival times
- Lunch and/or Dinner break times (so you can bring food/send $)
- Performance times -- join us there!
Winter Guard Fees
This program is almost entirely funded through its “pay to play” fees. Bus transportation is paid for through the band department budget. Much of the equipment is owned by the NHSBPC, including flagpoles, flags, sabers, equipment bags, floors, props, and equipment carts. The program also receive a subsidy from the NHS Marching Band & Guard Program.
Checks (for any payments) should be payable to NHSBPC, and may be placed in the blue band box or mailed to:
NHSBPC, PO Box 3333, Newtown, CT 06470.
OR you may register via the NHSBPC Parent Portal at https://nhsbandguard.com .
Please contact DJ Ledina with questions or to obtain a portal account at [email protected].
Varsity Fees
$360 (plus $100 if a team tracksuit is needed)
Fee includes:
● Uniform & accessories
● Banquet Ticket
● Show Shirt
● Staff salaries
● Truck rental for equipment transport
● Flag design & manufacturing
● Circuit fees for participation in WGI events
● WGI practice space rental at Regional Events
● Hotel for WGI overnight trip to NJ
Junior Varsity Fees
$360 (plus $50 if a team sweatshirt is needed)
Fee includes:
● Uniform & accessories
● Banquet Ticket
● Show Shirt
● Staff salaries
● Truck rental for equipment transport
● Flag design & manufacturing
If you have any financial concerns or want to set up a different payment plan, please contact our Treasurer (Lisa Keeping) at [email protected] Note: Refunds are only considered for medical issues and a doctor’s note is required. Any refund decision will be decided upon by the NHSBPC Board.
Parent Volunteers Needed
● Chaperones – 2 chaperones for each competition
● Floor Parents – Parents needed for each competition to help with transporting floors and equipment
● Winter Home Show – Need 6-8 parents to lead winter show committees and 15-20 parents to help day of the Winter Show.
Communication
● Primary Source of Info: Emails, at least 2x/week
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nhsguard/
● REMIND™: Text the message @nhs19guard to 81010
● NHS Marching Band & Guard Website: https://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/
Note: It is the responsibility of the guard members to listen for information about uniforms, schedule changes, practice times etc. discussed during guard practices. Parent coordinators are not always aware of all the information presented at practices, so the guard members must be attentive to staff and information they communicate.
If you have any question please feel free to reach out to Susan White at [email protected]
Winter Guard is not just about having fun, traveling, and meeting new friends. It is also about confidence building, high self-esteem, endurance, self-discipline and responsibility! Join us!
All Photographs Courtesy of Thomas Allen Photography and NHSBPC members.
Please do not use without written permission.
©2015 NHSBPC
Please do not use without written permission.
©2015 NHSBPC