Rifles were spinning out of control at the men’s varsity basketball game Feb. 10, when the revived Color Guard showcased their first routine.

The Color Guard was brought back to life by music teacher Marc Bolden with the help of baton twirling coach Christine Zoll.  They held an informational meeting on Nov. 17, and practice for the first performance officially began Jan. 12.  The members of Color Guard practiced six evenings for one hour each for their debut performance.

The six members of the color guard team that performed Feb. 10 were sophomore Megan Greig, juniors Alexa Dipeso, Brianna Glase, and Rebecca Kotula, and seniors Dana Grimmel and Heather Kirwan.

“[Practicing] was harder than I thought it was going be, but it paid off in the end . . . Thanks to the pep band, I didn’t feel nervous, and I thought it was a good first performance,” Grimmel said.

Zoll was proud of the performance that the members of Color Guard put on.  “I was really pleased with their performance. They learned a lot in a short time and really worked hard. I loved to hear the crowd reaction and I can’t wait to do more with them. In the future, I would love to see the squad grow to 20 or more and add more pieces to their shows,” Zoll said.

Bolden was happy with the progress that the Color Guard made since they started as well.  “From what I saw, it looked very good.  I was very impressed with what they put together in a short time.  If anyone was nervous, it didn’t show,” Bolden said.

Many of the girls on the team were in fact nervous before they went onto the court, however.  “I started shaking a little bit, but then the pep band started cheering and they made me feel better.  We were much better than I expected us to be,” Greig said.

Even Color Guard Captain Kotula was anxious before the performance.  “I was nervous beforehand, but I was still excited,” she said.

Though the Color Guard flew solo for their first performance, both Bolden and Zoll look forward to coordinating the band and the Color Guard together.  “[Color Guard] brings performing art to the band and adds a visual aspect.  It takes marching band to the next level.  Go hard or go home,” Bolden said.

One thing that the Color Guard can bring to the band is the potential opportunity to perform in larger-scale parades.  “The band becomes a lot more appealing to some of the bigger parades [with a color guard],” Zoll said.

Trumpet player sophomore Travis Nelson is enthusiastic about the potential Color Guard can bring to the band.  “The newly established John Carroll Color Guard will not only improve the marching band’s image, but also its level of professionalism as a high school band . . . Anything that expands our ensemble’s presence and involvement in our school community is absolutely fantastic,” Nelson said.

Bolden and Zoll hope to bring the band and the Color Guard together when they march in the Bel Air Fourth of July parade this summer.

“I’m looking forward to the integration of band and color guard into the Fourth of July Parade, even though it seems far away, and then [in] band camp,” Bolden said.

“I’m really excited for the parades once we start getting good,” Greig said.

It’s not too late to join Color Guard, and no previous experience is required.  Students may contact Bolden if they are interested in finding out more about Color Guard.

Brianna Glase is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.