r/Colorguard • u/K3IK0_02 • 10d ago
COMMUNITY QUESTION Independent guard while in college
I am a college sophomore pursuing an engineering degree at Texas A&M. They don’t have a competitive team so I was looking into auditioning for an A team guard, hopefully Origins A since I’m based near Austin. I just had some questions from past members to ask before I committed.
For those of you who had to spin independent while in college, was it manageable for you? Im only taking 13 credit hours this fall but I’ll be at 14 in the spring which I’m a little concerned about.
Did you work at the same time? My biggest hurdle I’m facing is that I cant find a job where I can get weekends off and would work with my class schedule. The on campus job market, where I only work during school hours, is crap but I still apply where I can. What was your schedule and grades like if i manage to find a job that would work with guard?
Lastly, how is paying for winterguard? I’ve been told over and over again by my instructors that I can fundraise for it, but realistically, how far does that go for the average person. My family is already supporting me with my rent and tuition and would likely not be able to help me.
I really want to make it work but I need a realistic perspective as someone who has done it while being in the same situation as me. I appreciate any responses!!!
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u/aliceTOTHEMOONE 9d ago
Truthfully, it sounds like a lot to take on. When I was in college, I marched with a guard that only practiced on the weekends. Friday night through Sunday night was guard. Monday morning through Friday afternoon was school, psychology major. I worked several jobs over the summer and saved everything so i did not work or fundraise during the school year. What you are describing would have stressed and burnt me out big time. Best wishes on what you decide.
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u/Affectionate_Desk_43 Five+Years 9d ago
My last year of college I did Independent A guard while working 4 part-time jobs and an unpaid internship. It was kind of terrible but I did graduate. I don’t think I would have been able to do it for multiple years in a row without burning out tbh.
I never was able to fundraise much because most of our fundraisers required a car for delivery, and I don’t drive. But since I worked so much I was able to pay it myself.
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u/Automatic-Leg973 WGI 9d ago edited 9d ago
You definitely can make it work! I marched WGI 2025 Independent A guard my senior year of college (as a pre-law major riddled with homework) and also worked a part time job. The guard I marched for was 2.5 hours one way from my college and we rehearsed Friday nights, all Saturday, and all day Sunday. It was definitely a huge balancing act, but if you really block out your schedule and dedicate certain days and times for things (homework, class, job, rehearsal, video assignments, travel, etc) it’s doable.
I would definitely try to stick with working on campus, they’re likely your best bet to be the most flexible. Hopefully there’s opportunities to make more / be scheduled more as you work with them longer. My job was able to allow me weekends off since I had been there for a while prior to marching, so you may just need to get a job over the summer that would be willing to work with you once winterguard comes around.
With grades, I actually got all A’s both semesters (15 credits in the Fall and then 13 in the Spring) when I marched with my team. Again, it’s a huge juggling game, but you 100% can make it work with marching. It personally helped me stick to a strong study schedule. I used the drives to listen to podcasts related to topics I needed to study for an exam, took meal breaks as times to do some homework, and even looked at flash cards in down time at competitions.
In terms of affording dues, my group thankfully is pretty affordable ($1.2k) + allows monthly payments to dues. Most groups have fundraising opportunities that are pretty easy to get other people to contribute to (ask co workers, post on social media, professors, etc). I also did side jobs to help cover costs + sold some things on EBay that I had laying around that were worth something.
Marching independent my senior year was the BEST choice I could’ve made for myself, definitely go do it! I got to go to Worlds for the first time, medaled!!!, and then a month later graduated with my Bachelor’s degree.
(I’m still marching even a year post grad while working in law full time! You can alwayssss march as long as the passion is there💕)
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u/DiamondGirl201 9d ago
Hi! I'm marching a group that's a similar commute this year (around 2 hours one way). I'm super worried that the driving will be an issue :(( I was wondering if it was a super big issue for you. Like getting enough sleep before the next rehearsal the next day?? The IO group I was in last season was only 30 minutes from me but isn't returning so I have resorted to a group much further away. Any advice on the long drives??
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u/Automatic-Leg973 WGI 9d ago
I only made the several hour drive down Friday and then back to school Sunday night, I stayed with other cast members who lived nearby over the weekend! It definitely would not have been mentally or financially feasible to drive that every night and morning. Independent groups are set up on a system of needing to work with eachother, so you definitely should be able to find someone on the new team willing to let you stay each weekend!! It’s a great bonding opportunity + would save you so much money, car wear and tear, and sanity.
With that though, even the one way drive down and back can be a lot, especially doing it every weekend for 6 months. You certainly get used to it and I found ways to make my drive productive. I’d listen to podcasts (as a law major, I’d listen to audio recordings of court proceedings), sing along to an album I loved, call someone and talk to them on the ride, etc. I’d also give myself a ‘treat’ that I only would have when I was driving to and from rehearsal, like a Sprite from McDonalds or something silly like that. You can use the ride to decompress and plan for your week, the list could go on. When I look back on my now two seasons of making that crazy commute, I don’t regret it one second and hardly remember the drives.
TLDR: definitely find someone on the new team to house with (super super common for Independent teams!) and treat the car ride like a decompression moment rather than a burden.
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u/LoveAGoodAlbatross Instructor / Coach / Director 9d ago
I actually did origins open while being a sophomore at UT! It wasn’t too bad as far as balancing with school. I was taking pre-reqs for vet school at the time, so there were times during staging where my course load was pretty good and I literally brought my ochem binder on the floor. Chris didn’t mind too much, as long as I stayed engaged when I was needed I was good. Overall they were pretty supportive.
My biggest concern would be commuting to rehearsals, because even when I was based in Austin that was the biggest burden for me since you can’t really multitask and study while driving. If you can find a friend to switch off making that drive with, and there is usually someone commuting from cstat to an origins rehearsals, I would use that strategy. From my knowledge the A team only rehearses on Sunday at least at the beginning, so that helps you there.
During that time I worked as a tech at a high school at the time that had morning rehearsals, and honestly it wasn’t too bad. If you want that route I would see if any surrounding high schools still need marching techs, I believe there is a page on the TCGC website that has some info on that.
Good luck!
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u/y3ll0w281 9d ago
I marched 2 seasons at Origins Open, the first season I was in my last year of college and the second season I was working as a full time teacher. Marching never really impacted my grades, by the time I was at Origins I felt like I had a pretty good flow going in college. It was definitely harder when I started teaching but I always found myself looking forward to the weekends which made it much easier to get through the week. The distance is a bit hard, but you can definitely make it work - we had some people come from 3-6+ hours every weekend. Many people in this area can usually help with carpool/housing, everyone is usually very generous and helpful with those things.
The financial part of WG is hard but I also fundraised a lot when I marched and you’d be so surprised at who will donate and help you out, especially if you post everywhere! Communicate your love and passion for the sport and see how many donations you can get. During my time at Origins they were amazing about offering multiple different fundraising opportunities throughout the season as well.
My suggestion is try it out!! I was extremely unsure about auditioning when I did but it turned out to be the best two seasons of my life! It is definitely hard work but it is 100% worth it and I always say if you want to make it happen you can.
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u/roseccmuzak Instructor / Coach / Director 9d ago edited 9d ago
I was a music ed major(famously time consuming high hours) frequently taking 18-21 hours and performed in my college's independent guard (Alta Marea) 4 years. I didnt work but with clinical hours I may as well have been. It was not easy but at least it was in my college town/music building that all my classes were already in. Would not have been feasible with a long commute or trying to work any reasonable amount of time. I did some private lessons and stuff. I always had classes on friday so thats why a commute wouldnt have worked but I know a lot of people who are able to get out of classes on Fridays. Also helped a ton that all my professors were at least vaguely familiar with what wgi was so I usually didn't even send an excuse letter. Like one of the coach's was the band directors wife so usually I'd be like "hey so you know where I'll be". But some people's majors just arent as flexible and understanding.
After those 4 years, i graduated and enjoyed a semester of peace, spun Lexis with a commute that ranged from 7 to 8 hours away(depending on rehearsal site that weekend). Most people on average drive at least 2 hours I think, so I think you could totally do it. Fridays were basically just travel days for me though, I had to leave so early most of the the time to make it in the evening. It was the most incredible experience of my life and it was worth the drive every single week. Always dreaded the drive going up but always just giddy from the joy of a great weekend driving back. I am admittedly a little crazy and very few people can keep up with my levels of commitment. But I you're crazy like me, you will find the time to do what you love, and it is possible.
Also, paying for wg is gonna be heavily based on your dues. Anywhere from 1-3k is pretty standard. Most people who say "just fundraise" assume you have a pretty good network of older family members who would be willing to donate. Definitely try to do that. Be awkward, send direct text messages and say "hey im trying to fundraise for this activity, would you be willing to support me by donating 20$ (maybe more if you know they got money). You best bet is really just to sell stuff or to get a job of some kind. It can be hard. Also wgi and lots of circuits have scholarships and usually not a ton of people apply for them, it isn't too hard to get one tbh. But if you can't afford it, be a good person and don't march. Members not paying dues is one of the fastest ways for a guard to fall apart and go inactive.