What is Guard?
The members of the color guard are the visual storytellers of the marching band. It is their responsibility to make the audience see the music, convey the story and bring the production to full technicolor life. With the use of flags, rifles, dance, and props, the members of this section use their skills to create an entire world on the field that encompasses the band and invites the audience to come along on the journey. 
Our instructors have a strong focus on creating a positive and inclusive scholastic program. They believe that a strong foundation will lead to success and the opportunity to continue to do color guard beyond high school. They have a vision to grow a nationally recognized team and to compete at the WGI level with a winter program.
The fall season will concentrate on expanding the team’s training to include a multitude of flag basics including learning new exercises and tosses. There will be an influx of dance training to add a higher level of skill to their fall program. There is also a plan to include rifles on the field for this season’s show and the training for this piece of equipment is available for those students interested in learning.
​
Is any experience required?
​Color guard, while intense, does not require any previous experience in dance, gymnastics, baton or guard. Our instructors will teach all new members what they need to know and how to be successful. While the learning curve for this activity is steep and sometimes overwhelming, most members find themselves in love with the sport before the end of band camp. ​

Is Band experience required?
No previous participation in Band is required to participate in the color guard.  In fact, we encourage students who have not been in Band, but love to perform, to consider the color guard as a way to get involved in one of the most active and successful programs at Heritage High School.

Is Color Guard a class?
Color guard itself is not a class. During the fall, the guard rehearses with the HHS Marching Band and performs with the Band at all events, including football games, competitions, parades, and other performances for the school and community. The color guard will also schedule separate “sectional” rehearsals to learn, clean and perfect their field show responsibilities. ​

What is Winter Guard?
Winter Guard is the visual performing ensemble (flag, rifle, and dance) extension of a Marching Band program. During the spring semester, the Winter Guard performs and competes in both Winter Guard International and the Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association competitions. A Winter Guard program is the perfect place for students who love to dance, love performing, are ready to belong to a team in high school, and show their school spirit!

As part of this team, students are required to attend after school practices as well as perform at contests, pep rallies, and recruitment efforts at the middle schools. Students must consciously work both in and out of practice to improve individual performance and technique, while accomplishing individual and ensemble performance goals.