04/14/07

Pride of Cincinnati wins World Championship!

Independent World
1 Pride of Cincinnati 97.90
2 Fantasia 97.60
3 Aimachi 95.70
3 Blessed Sacrament 95.70
5 Northeast Independent 94.80
6 San Jose Raiders 93.70
7 Phantom Regiment 92.60
8 Corona 92.20
9 Santa Clara Vanguard 91.50
10 Onyx 90.70
11 Braddock Independent 89.70
12 Black Watch 86.70
13 Opus 10 83.70
14 JSU Center Stage 83.60
15 Sacred Heart 81.90

Click here for some photos from WGI!

03/31/07

WGI Announces World Championships Line Up!

Pride is scheduled to perform first after the break on Friday, April 13th at 3:15pm.

Click HERE for the complete Independent World Prelims schedule!

Click Here for the complete Scholastic World Prelims Schedule!

11/10/06

Pride announces 2007 program: What's Left?

“What’s Left!?” was jokingly exclaimed at the annual Pride of Cincinnati planning meeting in July, upon hearing that we are about to celebrate thirty years of WGI.  That’s thirty years of brilliant performances, innovative shows, rich history, and unbelievable evolution.  What’s Left? Of course, that’s the challenge for every unit, but the answer is undoubtedly:  More than we can ever imagine!  The question did however lead the meeting down a very interesting path . . .

During World War I, an accomplished concert pianist named Paul Wittgenstein was wounded and lost his right arm to amputation.  After the initial, obvious set-backs, he began his crusade to once again play the piano.  This remarkable challenge included seeking out composers to write pieces specifically for the left hand.  Benjamin Britten, Paul Hindemith. Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Richard Strauss, Maurice Ravel, and Sergei Prokofiev each produced pieces for him.  The 2007 Pride of Cincinnati has chosen Britten’s Diversions for Piano (left hand) and Orchestra; Opus 21 as the sound track for this season’s production.

Pride’s cast of twenty-seven young men and women will explore “What’s Left” from every possible angle; including music, direction, motion, dexterity, sides of the brain, political philosophy, innovation, and perseverance.   These abstract themes will be realized metaphorically through floor and costume design, while also striving to, once again, set standards in staging, choreography, and performance execution.  The 2007 Pride of Cincinnati staff, board, and performing members are extremely pleased to present – “What’s Left?”

9/21/06

PRIDE OF CINCINNATI AUDITIONS PERFORMERS FOR THE 2007 CAST!

Approximately 60 performers checked in at the Middletown Armory on the evening of Friday September 15, all in hopes of achieving a role in the cast of the 2007 Pride of Cincinnati Winterguard. After a strenuous dance class, everyone learned a dance piece which would later be used in evaluating the individuals' dance and performance skills. Before ending the evening's session, a flag piece was also learned.

After several hours of "restful" sleep the potential cast members were "up and at it" again! More dance, more flag and some added routines on rifle and sabre continued throughout the long day on Saturday. Rounding out the days events was the much looked forward to tradition of "Show Me What Ya Got!", where candidates can perform any hidden talents or tricks which might just nudge them onto the list of "call backs" for the Sunday audition.

Friday and Saturday had been extremely competitive, but after careful deliberation, the Pride staff whittled the original 60 performers down to an elite 35. The smaller group continued more technique and performance exercises and everyone even survived an all sabre block. After lunch break the performers had an opportunity to showcase their acting and improvisational talents. Then... the final performances of all of the weekend's routines!

What a great weekend and what an amazing group of performers! It seems like we say it every year but it continues to be true... each audition just seems to bring out better and better performers, making the decisions of the Pride staff more and more difficult. Thanks to EVERYONE who came to auditions and shared your talents with us!

After literally HOURS of careful consideration, the staff of the Pride of Cincinnati Winterguard wishes to introduce the 2007 cast...

click here to see the cast!!

9/7/06 Entire staff returns!!!

The Pride of Cincinnati is thrilled to announce the return of their entire staff for the 2007 seaon. Director Charles Gumbert said, "Even with the life changes of several staff members after the end of this past season, we are fortunate enough to have everyone back on board for 2007."

This winter marks the tenth season for several members of the staff to be with Pride. Staffers Michael Gaines, Charlie Gumbert, Rosie Miller, Jim Moore and Keith Potter are all celebrating 10 years teaching together at Pride of Cincinnati. Starting in 1997, this team brought a fresh look to Pride of Cincinnati by changing to an all-male cast for one year and bringing "Alcatraz" to the WGI floor.

Since then, Pride has done a "design 180" each year and headed in all sorts of thematic directions. "Just we as a staff start to get comfortable with the approach to design, we turn the table on ourselves and create an entirely new set of rules," said Gumbert.

"We have worked hard to provide a place where our members can be exposed to some of the best instructors in the business and a place where the designers and technicians can call their "home". Pride has been so fortunate to have such a talented staff that has remained consistent for so long," said Gumbert.

8/27/06

Auditions are set for September 15-17. Click HERE for more info!

For news from previous seasons, click on the appropriate year:

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008