COLOR &Â WINTER GUARD
The color guard and winter guard programs expand music into the visual realm. They use dance, flags, rifles, and sabers to express how music could be seen, providing theme, mood, and a visual representation of what you hear. In the Fall, the Color Guard joins musicians to form the marching band entertaining both the Friday night football game crowd and the music connoisseurs of Saturday marching competitions. In the winter, the Winter Guard heads into the gym to perform by themselves to prerecorded music, competing against hundreds of other teams both locally in Virginia
and the mid-Atlantic.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |
COLOR GUARD
The Color Guard is a section of the Marching Band that uses flags, rifles, and sabres along with dance to visualize the music played by the band. In marching band competitions, the guard is an essential component of the band and their performance is influential in the overall score.
​
In August, Fall Color Guard members participate in band camp at with the marching band prior to school start. Summer band camp is a wonderful bonding experience where you will make life-long friends as you learn to perform with the marching band!
During the Fall Season, as a member of the Color Guard, you will perform with the band at half time during home football games, travel with the band to away games and competitions on Saturdays.
​
​​
SPECIAL COLOR GUARD FORMS/LINKS:
​​​
Concussion Protocol Verification
​
Purchase Guard Jackets and Bags
​
WINTER GUARD
Winter Guard is an indoor sport in which the guard performs to pre-recorded music during competitions.
Winter Guard starts after the Fall Marching season is over in November. Practices for Winter Guard begin around mid November. The first competition is in February and the last one is in April.
​​
SPECIAL GUARD FORMS/LINKS:
​
​
​
Concussion Protocol Verification
​
​
Winter Guard Registration & Form Upload (you must use your FCPS email account to complete and upload this form)
​
Vaccination verification: Email a copy of your vaccination record to mmweber@fcps.edu and prupp@fcps.edu with subject 'Winter Guard proof of vaccination' or see https://oaktonathletics.org/main/adnews/ID/54243888 for other options.
WHY GUARD?
Guard is a great opportunity to participate in representing Oakton High School, to grow as individuals and team members, to learn performance skills, and to build self-confidence and self-esteem. College admissions officers are well aware of the hard work and dedication required to succeed as a member of Color Guard or Winter Guard and your participation in Guard will greatly enhance your college applications. Many colleges have a Color Guard or Winter Guard and it can be a distinguishing factor in your application.
FAQS
WHO CAN JOIN?
Color Guard and Winter Guard are open to all students in Oakton High School! While some guard members are part of the regular band program, enrollment in the music/band program is not required for participation in the Color Guard or Winter Guard.
DO I NEED PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
No, you don’t need previous performance, dance, or other experience. The Guard coach will teach you everything you need to know to perform.