A student in a colourful dance outfit holding a ribbon above her head

Do you know about winter guard? It is a vivid, energized competition that brings color guard choreography and music indoors during the cold part of the year.

In early March, more than 50 winter guard teams and indoor drumlines competed in the James River High gymnasium. They traveled from throughout Virginia and North Carolina to be part of a full day of powerful presentations. Performances — ranging from novice to world class level — took place every eight minutes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

A young girl shouting in front of three large pink ballsA student playing a xylophone

A young student balancing a flag on her collarA young student twirling a flag

Hosting the winter guard and percussion event were the indoor ensembles of James River High, Robious Middle and Greenfield Elementary and the indoor drumline of James River High. Those three schools form a feeder pattern, so winter guard participants can advance throughout their years in Chesterfield County Public Schools.