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WESTLAKE COLOR GUARD
ELITE VISUAL ENSEMBLE (EVE)

2024-25 WINTER GUARD CALENDAR & INFO

No Experience Required

Open to EANES Students Grade 4-12th (All Genders)

Performance & Competition Opportunities for All

PE & Fine Arts Credit Available

Questions? Contact Director Kaysey Thompson kthompson2@eanesisd.net

OUR PROGRAM

The Westlake Color Guard (aka Elite Visual Ensemble/EVE) offers Eanes students grades 4-12th of all genders and abilities a unique opportunity to learn and perform a wide range of movement, dance, theater and acrobatics skills at both the state and inter/national levels. No prior experience required, but a background in dance, gymnastics/acrobatics, theater, guard or other performance arts is a plus.


Our elite Guard teams have won numerous awards and continue to climb in state and world rankings. As of 2024, our Varsity Winter Guard team has won state championships 3 years running and is ranked #6 in the world in their division. Our JV and Cadet teams are currently ranked top 3 in the state of Texas. 


What IS Color Guard?  Color Guard is known as “the sport of the arts” and is one of the fastest growing activities in schools across the nation. It’s a high-energy sport and performance artform that combines interpretive dance (including ballet, jazz, and modern styles), gymnastics/acrobatics, theater, and manipulation of flags, mock rifles, sabres, props, and colorful uniforms. Color Guards perform shows with both marching bands (fall/EVE) and indoors as stand-alone teams (spring/Winter Guard). 


Watch video “What IS Color Guard” for a terrific overview and search “Westlake High School Band” and “Westlake Winter Guard” on YouTube to see more videos of our program in action!


ELITE VISUAL ENSEMBLE: Each fall (August-November), EVE high school students perform as the color guard for the award-winning Westlake High School band in their halftime marching shows, competitions and other special events like the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade. EVE is an integral part of marching band performances, greatly enhancing the band’s visual impact. It’s also both an extracurricular activity and a fall semester class that’s unique: freshmen and new members get to perform in their very first year in the organization! Watch EVE’s performance in the 2023 Chap Band marching show “All the Lonely People” below in UIL State Finals competition.

WINTER GUARD:  In winter/spring (November-April), EVE transitions to Winter Guard, comprised of Eanes students grades 4-12th. Winter Guard performs custom-designed shows as three separate teams INDOORS to recorded music and competes across the state February through April on the Texas Color Guard/TCG circuit. Varsity also competes each April at WGI Worlds in Ohio.

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The Elementary/Middle schools form one unified “Cadets” competition team (as an extracurricular activity). 7th and 8th grade students can also enroll in an EVE/Color Guard class during the regular school day to build deeper skills and practice.

 

Westlake High School offers JV and Varsity Winter Guard competition teams, placed by November auditions. All participants also enroll in EVE/Color Guard class during 2nd semester (required). Watch our 2024 Varsity Winter Guard performance of “This Truth” at WGI World Championships above.

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PE and/or Fine Arts credit available for both Middle & High School participants. Contact kthompson2@eanesisd.net with questions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can join Color Guard?

  • Eanes students of all genders grades 4th-12th

  • Students of all abilities welcome – no experience required (coaches teach required skills)

  • Background in dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, color guard or other performance arts a plus, and may result in higher level team placement for high school students

  • Students who want to have fun, get fit, make new friends, travel, and join a spirited, high-performing team while building dance, acrobatic and performance art skills

  • Students seeking personal development like leadership skills, grit, resilience, responsibility, and ability to perform under pressure

 

Can you be in band (or other activities) AND Color Guard?

  • Absolutely! Band students welcome, and those who join EVE in fall play stands tunes during football games and will be a part of concert band in the spring

  • Students in other activities are welcome to join Color Guard if practice, performance and competition schedules are compatible with your schedule (and you can enroll in required school-day classes) – as an example, we have Robotics & Band students in color guard

 

How can I explore & join Color Guard?

  • Complete the “REQUEST TEAM INFO & SIGNUP FORM” above (and/or email director Kaysey Thompson kthompson2@eanesisd.net with questions)

  • Attend our Workshops & Information Sessions to explore Color Guard hands-on, ask questions and learn more (EVE in April/May, Winter Guard in November)

  • Auditions held each semester for team placement purposes only (EVE in April/May, Winter Guard in November); all who wish to participate will be placed on a team with performance and competition opportunities (and must sign up for required classes)

  • WE’LL HELP CHANGE YOUR CLASS SCHEDULE if needed so you can enroll in required EVE/Winter Guard classes – email kthompson2@eanesisd.net & your counselor for help

 

What are the time commitments for Color Guard?

  • High School EVE: See Chap Band Calendar. Band camp runs first 2-3 weeks in August. During the school year, morning rehearsals 3 times per week plus 1 late afternoon/evening rehearsal per week (schedules subject to change). EVE also participates in all football games and band competitions (approx. 6 competitions from September- November).

  • Winter Guard:  See “2024-25 WINTER GUARD CALENDAR & INFO” link above. High school Winter Guard generally practices 3 mornings per week and 1 afternoon, plus special workshops and auditions. WEEKEND TRAVEL (Austin/Central Texas area) for competitions is also required (no overnights except WGI Worlds in Ohio – Varsity only).

  • Time commitment IS significant, but so are the rewards of performing on a spirited, high-ranking Color Guard team!

 

What are the Color Guard fees?

  • Color Guard at all levels has associated participation fees to cover uniforms, props, show designers and more. Contact Director Kaysey Thompson for specifics, as fees may vary by team and year.

  • Westlake Band Parents and other fundraising efforts help cover expenses not funded by the district

  • Scholarships may be available for students who wish to participate but have financial hardship (please reach out if this is an issue – we’ll work with you!)

 

What CREDITS do I receive for Color Guard?

  • High School - PE and/or Fine Arts credit

  • Middle School – PE Credit

 

Other questions?

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