We knew today was going to be a long day since we perform 2nd to last in prelims at 10.50pm. So the guard met at 10am and went to BigBoy(!) for breakfast. The staff's day started slightly earlier with check in at WGI HQ which all went very smoothly.
Having eaten breakfast we travelled to our rehearsal site for a short 4 hour block. This facility houses 3 basketball arenas so potentially could have had 3 guards there. Fortunately for us, there were only 2 (although the other was a guard from Florida with very loud music!)
Rehearsal went very well with the guard continuing to get stronger and more consistent and confident.
Once rehearsal was finished, we travelled back to the hotel for 3 hours of relaxation and show prep.
We left at 9pm in the pouring rain and headed to the arena, everyone in good spirits. We had 20 mins before our check in time, the guard had a chance to calm their nerves and watch a few guards. The atmosphere was good but the arena wasn't very full.
We checked in at 9.55 and proceeded through the process of body warm ups, transit equipment warm ups and finally to the tunnel.
The guard was relaxed if a little nervous (for many this is their first WGI experience). They had a good first performance; some of the members had their best run of the season, others were a little disappointed with their show. But nothing can change what had happened and the crowd received them warmly and had a partial standing ovation at the conclusion of the show.
After sorting all the equipment and props we moved to have our pictures taken and then made a swift exit (knowing we will have an early start tomorrow).
We all gathered in the foyer of the hotel, pressing "refresh" like crazy on our phones. Finally the scores were in and Rob announced to a jubilant crowd that we had scored 87.7 and placed 3rd in our round. Lots of looks of amazement and hugs and tears as it sunk in. Then we realised we had beaten Fantasia and Zydecco WOW!!
The guard starts early tomorrow with a short 2 hour rehearsal, some down time and then our semi finals performance at 4pm (9pm UK time).
The support from the UK (& around the world) has been amazing. And we are feeling the love and really appreciate it, it means a great deal to us, so THANK YOU.
More to come as the adventure continues.....
Friday, 12 April 2013
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Challenging Tuesday
Krissie summed today up by saying it felt like 2 days rolled into one. It was definitely a challenge!!!
We had found a rehearsal site via the people we have always used in past years and this site was bigger. However when we arrived it was very very dusty, dark and the floor was full of pot holes! Not an ideal start to the day. Michael was at rehearsal to finish staging the 2 new members and wasn't too impressed.
So PLAN B was needed (always good to have a back up plan!) and cookie hit the phones to find us somewhere else. We managed to get the location we used yesterday from3-6, so we ended rehearsal early and packed up to head south again..
As we were finishing rehearsal a stranger wandered in. He turned out to be an old member of Pride ofCincinnati and a big Mayflower fan and arranged for us to use his parish hall for free, assuring us it would be big enough. This time, we decided to check it out first, so made a slight detour as we headed south. Luckily we did because it was way too small and low ceilings, so unfortunately that didn't work out.
Anyway, back to the tennis club and 3 very productive hours resulting in two outstanding performances.
Everyone felt good as we dashed back to the hotel and then onto the exhibition show with Beatrix. We arrived slightly late and quickly ate pizza. Our performance wasn't the best, again the ceiling was low so we had flags and weapons bouncing off the roof but received a good reaction and it was great for us to watch and support Beatrix and West Ranch HS.
So back to the hotel and a relatively early night. Tomorrow is the big day. Our plan is to sleep late, eat breakfast together, go to the arena and watch guard for an hour or so then rehearse 1-5, eat, relax and head to the arena around 9pm for our prelims show at 10.50. It's all very exciting and we really have no idea where we will place, especially since our show is so different to any other group in our class. Fingers crossed for an amazing performance, and we hope lots of our friends back home will be watching and cheering.
More tomorrow .........
We had found a rehearsal site via the people we have always used in past years and this site was bigger. However when we arrived it was very very dusty, dark and the floor was full of pot holes! Not an ideal start to the day. Michael was at rehearsal to finish staging the 2 new members and wasn't too impressed.
So PLAN B was needed (always good to have a back up plan!) and cookie hit the phones to find us somewhere else. We managed to get the location we used yesterday from3-6, so we ended rehearsal early and packed up to head south again..
As we were finishing rehearsal a stranger wandered in. He turned out to be an old member of Pride ofCincinnati and a big Mayflower fan and arranged for us to use his parish hall for free, assuring us it would be big enough. This time, we decided to check it out first, so made a slight detour as we headed south. Luckily we did because it was way too small and low ceilings, so unfortunately that didn't work out.
Anyway, back to the tennis club and 3 very productive hours resulting in two outstanding performances.
Everyone felt good as we dashed back to the hotel and then onto the exhibition show with Beatrix. We arrived slightly late and quickly ate pizza. Our performance wasn't the best, again the ceiling was low so we had flags and weapons bouncing off the roof but received a good reaction and it was great for us to watch and support Beatrix and West Ranch HS.
So back to the hotel and a relatively early night. Tomorrow is the big day. Our plan is to sleep late, eat breakfast together, go to the arena and watch guard for an hour or so then rehearse 1-5, eat, relax and head to the arena around 9pm for our prelims show at 10.50. It's all very exciting and we really have no idea where we will place, especially since our show is so different to any other group in our class. Fingers crossed for an amazing performance, and we hope lots of our friends back home will be watching and cheering.
More tomorrow .........
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Day 1 rehearsal day
After a long hot tiring day, the guard is now relaxing and shortly out to dinner.
Having raided Walmart, we were ready for our 40 minute ride to today's rehearsal site. Today's focus was on expanding the floor and staging our 2 US members in- which went surprisingly well. By e end of rehearsal everyone was very tired and jet lag started to catch up.
So it's a relaxing evening to celebrate Jess' 21st birthday.
Tomorrow we rehearse 10-5 then perform with our Dutch friends, Beatrix in the evening.
Having raided Walmart, we were ready for our 40 minute ride to today's rehearsal site. Today's focus was on expanding the floor and staging our 2 US members in- which went surprisingly well. By e end of rehearsal everyone was very tired and jet lag started to catch up.
So it's a relaxing evening to celebrate Jess' 21st birthday.
Tomorrow we rehearse 10-5 then perform with our Dutch friends, Beatrix in the evening.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Good morning from a warm Dayton
After nearly 24 hours of travel, we finally arrived at our hotel at 11pm and met Greg at the airport and our 2 US members (and flag poles) at the hotel. Everyone is in great spirits.
It's a warm 27 degrees today so shorts are in order. We rehearse today from 11am and the day will be spent extending the floor and staging the extra 2 members.
Meanwhile Barry and co will be visiting all the 2nd hand stores of Dayton to buy our furniture for the show!
Our hotel in right by many retail and restaurants, so plentry of places to chose from to shop and eat.
More later.....
It's a warm 27 degrees today so shorts are in order. We rehearse today from 11am and the day will be spent extending the floor and staging the extra 2 members.
Meanwhile Barry and co will be visiting all the 2nd hand stores of Dayton to buy our furniture for the show!
Our hotel in right by many retail and restaurants, so plentry of places to chose from to shop and eat.
More later.....
Monday, 8 April 2013
We are in the USA
Aftera pain free flight and a very long queue through immigration (with Jess being accused of having a fake passport) we are now waiting for our connection to Dayton. Everyone is tired but in good spirits.
We are all checked in!
It's the morning of our departure. First stop Minneapolis.
We are all checked in, after a rather slow laborious process where we were herded around like cattle.
Anyway, our flight is on time so so far so good!
We are all checked in, after a rather slow laborious process where we were herded around like cattle.
Anyway, our flight is on time so so far so good!
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Mayflower is crowned WGUK World Class Champions
Yesterday Mayflower completed its UK winter guard season at the WGUK winterguard finals. We travelled to the north of England on Friday morning and rehearsed Friday afternoon and then relaxed in the evening.
UK finals is a LONG day with prelims in the morning and our finals performance later in the evening. Mayflower was crowned UK champions for 2013. This is Mayflower's 10th time as British Champion - a record unmatched. Also our A guard won a closely fought battle to win the A class and our Cadets placed 2nd, so a very successful day for the Mayflower organisation.
A long drive home and a late night meant that Sunday is a day of rest and packing in preparation for our flights tomorrow to Dayton.
More pictures, posts and video as the WGI tour begins in the morning!
UK finals is a LONG day with prelims in the morning and our finals performance later in the evening. Mayflower was crowned UK champions for 2013. This is Mayflower's 10th time as British Champion - a record unmatched. Also our A guard won a closely fought battle to win the A class and our Cadets placed 2nd, so a very successful day for the Mayflower organisation.
More pictures, posts and video as the WGI tour begins in the morning!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)