LHS Winter Guard Wins Consecutive First Place Titles

The Lemont High School Winter Color Guard won two consecutive first place titles in competitions this past weekend. On Saturday, March 9, the team placed first among ten schools in Scholastic Regional Class A in a competition at Lake Park High School, outscoring the 2nd place team by ten points. And on Sunday, March 1o, the team placed first out of seven schools in Scholastic Regional Class A in a competition at Lincoln-Way East High School. The title of the LHS Winter Guard's winning program is River Water, performed to music by the Spencer Lee Band. The program is an interpretation of what it feels like to be at a low point in life and fighting to reclaim joy and inner peace.

This is the first year that Lemont High School has offered a Winter Guard Program, and it appears to be going well. Coach Ari Corbin says, "I wanted to add winter guard at LHS because it showcases a side to color guard that you don’t see during marching band season. Winter Guard is more detailed. Performers explore more movement and dance as it relates to equipment. The audience and judges are closer in a gym than on a football field and can appreciate more of the artistry and skill being shown by the performers. It also benefits kids who want the opportunity to continue training and performing year round."

Corbin began teaching dance and color guard in 2008, and has been coaching for the Lemont High School Band and Color Guard program since 2013. She participated in color guard in high school then performed professionally for Drum Corps International with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Corbin has also performed with the Onyx Winter Guard of Dayton, Ohio.

"I love coaching because anyone can enjoy guard. It’s something you can pick up at any age and learn. The skills we learn in this activity always carry over into anything else we do in life. My favorite is seeing shy quiet kids turn into the most confident performers in front of hundreds of people," Corbin adds.

The LHS Winter Guard team is comprised of ten members. During the marching band season the LHS Color Guard program has had as many as 22 members. Guard members learn dancing and performing movement while using colored flags, spin rifles, and other props. Any Lemont High School student can join the color guard program, including incoming freshmen. For more information on joining color guard, email David Nommensen, Head Marching Band Director at dnommensen@lhs210.net. Practices for the marching band season start over the summer.

LHS Winter Guard competes as part of the Midwest Color Guard Circuit. Their last performance of the winter season will take place at Laporte High School in Laporte, Indiana on Saturday, March 30, 2019. For more information about that competition, visit http://www.midwestcolorguard.c...