question about awards

[dancecutie808]

Hi everyone! I have been around colorguard my whole life (my mom teaches), but I have a question I can't get a good answer to. Can someone explain to me why colorguards nod their heads during award ceremonies instead of saluting? Or why they even salute at all?

Let me explain....I have performed with my mom's groups on and off over the last couple of years, but this is the first year I was really a "full-time" member of an independent guard. As I cheer from the stands, I am fascinated by the different approaches teams take to accept their awards. It seems to me there really is no standard, but rather just a schools preference? There are some long combinations, silly types, military style salutes, and even the "head nod".

I have danced practically my whole life, and competed studio dance since I was 6. I understand the dance world is different, but I would assume the "respect" factor of saluting/acknowledging/head nodding would be be somewhat universal. When accepting a dance award, one shakes the hand of the person presenting and says "thank you". The acknowledgement or salute is instead given at the end of the performance, before you exit the stage. As a dancer, whether it be a soloist or a team, a head nod is expected at the conclusion of the performance. The "nod" is to tell the judges "thank you". The thank you is for their time as judges, the comments they have given and the respect they have earned as professionals in their field. I have seen salutes during parades and on the field. I assume these are directed to the judges? But I don't undestand why guards salute when the judges aren't present? It seems weird to me to salute different schools captains week after week because they are merely handing you a trophy. I intend no disrespect to any schools leadership. I am just trying to understand the process.

I have written several papers for school this year about my dance experiences, and I would like to write a compare/contrast essay about award ceremonies. My mom gave me a satisfactory answer, but I could really use more input if I am to write a solid paper. My mom suggested I post my questions here.

I am really looking foward to hear what the "colorguard community" has to say about this topic. Please don't be shy!

Thanks in advance!

Tara

[twinmomma]

I've grown up in this activity too, and saluting has always been a matter of respect, not for the judges necessarily, but for the hard work and achievements of the other groups.

[danceswithwood]

Back in the day trophies were handed out by war veterans (VFW and American Legion posts) and the salute was for the veteran handing you the trophy. I think what we do now is a hold over from our military roots.

Having said that .... I think it's fun (especially at field shows) to watch the representative of each group "salute" the host drum major and vice versa ... it's like watching aliens greet ... lol




.

[guardthepiccolo]

... it's like watching aliens greet ... lol

LOL! quote of the day!

[bigmikedrivesbmw]

that was great!

[twinmomma]

It's not just at awards. Where I'm from, it is standard practice at football games for the home school's band leadership to make their way (usually marching) to the away side (assuming the away team has enough of a budget to send their band) and salute the leadership of the opposing team's band. Generally followed by a small amount of socializing, i.e. talking about the season, what comps each will be at, etc...

Aliens greeting? TOTALLY. BUT I will say, it's a courtesy that is so often neglected in other arenas. I was always proud of my kids as they marched over to say hi to the other band. I truly believed the lessons learned (opponents deserve respect, even while being competitive against them) will serve them well through life.

[danceswithwood]

It's not just at awards. Where I'm from, it is standard practice at football games for the home school's band leadership to make their way (usually marching) to the away side (assuming the away team has enough of a budget to send their band) and salute the leadership of the opposing team's band. Generally followed by a small amount of socializing, i.e. talking about the season, what comps each will be at, etc...

Aliens greeting? TOTALLY. BUT I will say, it's a courtesy that is so often neglected in other arenas. I was always proud of my kids as they marched over to say hi to the other band. I truly believed the lessons learned (opponents deserve respect, even while being competitive against them) will serve them well through life.

When my boys were growing up we did that sort of thing with them in soccer, tennis, etc to teach them good sportsmanship. When I teach guard now I encourage my guardies to make friends and be social and to be supportive of other units ... but that's the new school

The old school was different

.