CWEA Announces New Design Clinician Program
Published November 1 2018

As part of a renewed focus on education, the Color Guard Education Team of CWEA is pleased to announce a new program designed specifically for the Novice, Regional A and Cadet classes.

Beginning this season, a “sixth judge” has been added to each show for the first five weekends of the season. This Design Clinician will provide commentary from all aspects of the program, including conceptual design and construction, training and much more! The clinicians have been chosen from familiar faces within CWEA who have had success at several different levels of competition. “The sixth judge allows our newer and developing groups to receive commentary and have an in-person dialog with a clinician who isn’t bound by any specific criteria or caption,” said Education Director Christine Clayton. “Additionally, the folks taking on these roles are current instructors who have first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing the less experienced guards. We’re very excited about the educational opportunity this will provide!”

The idea for this program was born from discussions during the Spring meetings. Discussion continued amongst the Color Guard Advisory Council at the July Board retreat, where the recommendation to the Board of Directors was to provide this outstanding opportunity for our younger groups. After discussion, the Board of Directors is proud to announce that the new Design Clinician Program will be offered without any additional costs to members or event partners and will be fully funded as part of the organization’s educational programs. “We are all very excited about the addition of the sixth judge! From an educational growth standpoint, this unique approach is poised to propel any of our Novice, Regional A and Cadet groups taking advantage of this new opportunity!” said Ben Hipp, Chair of the Color Guard Advisory Council.

As part of this program, Novice, Cadet and Regional A groups will not critique with the full judge panel for the first five weekends of the season, but rather will have the opportunity to attend an extended critique session with the show’s design clinician. Groups will still receive a full set of commentary from the judging panel. The program is only open to those Color Guards in Novice, Regional A and Cadet classes.

All design clinicians are listed on the event page as part of the judging panel. Should you have questions about this new program, please contact [email protected].