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Eden Prairie High School Winterguard |
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Mission: The Eden Prairie Winterguard strives for competitive success through hard work, dedication, and teamwork. It is the goal of the staff to provide a challenging, yet nurturing, environment in which each member can grow as a person and a performer. Every effort is made to teach the students the skills they require to excel as a member of the colorguard and to be successful in all aspects of their present and future life. Being a member of the winterguard should be first and foremost an educational experience. The performers are given information about how to strengthen and care for their bodies to promote life-long health. They are encouraged to develop self-motivation in the pursuit of personal goals. They are asked to communicate with each other respectfully and work as a team to achieve success.
Recent Awards/Recognitions: 2010: North Star Circuit Scholastic A – 1st Place North Star Circuit High GPA 2009: North Star Circuit Scholastic A – 1st Place North Star Circuit High GPA 2008: North Star Circuit Scholastic A – 1st Place North Star Circuit High GPA 2007: North Star Circuit Scholastic A – 2nd Place North Star Circuit High GPA
History: Virtually simultaneous to the development of the competitive EPHS Marching Band Program, The Eden Prairie High School Winterguard was founded in 1990 as a method for fall colorguard performers to further their technical and performance skills in the offseason. The group was led by Katie and Dick Buelow until mid-season of 1992 when Penny Walter took the reins. At the time, Penny was the parent of two members of the colorguard, and worked with the captains of the group to choreograph the shows. Bill Sucha joined the team in fall of 1993 (joined by Jodie Walz), and took over the winter program for the 1994 season. He led the group to its best competitive season ever with a 2nd place finish at state championships. Bill moved on after the fall of ‘94, and chose recent Irondale HS grad and Phantom Regiment member, Kim Spaeth, as his replacement. Ms. Spaeth led the group through the ‘95 season, and then returned to her alma mater. Hallie Pritchett was hired as Kim’s replacement, and led the group through the winter season of 1997. She was joined on staff by ‘95 EPHS grad Jeffrey Peterson, as well as Molly Mayer. During this time the group purchased their first floor-covering and attended their first regional competition. In the winter of 1996 the program fielded two competitive winterguards, one that competed in Open Class, and one that competed in Novice class. Brian Hadley and Michael Casper taught the winterguard in 1998 and 99, with Greg Pope and Tennille Carlson joining them in 2000. Brian and Tennille continued with the organization from ’01 to ’03. During Brian’s 6 year tenure at Eden Prairie, he saw the group spin sabre for the first time, expanded the activity at EPHS from receiving points toward your band letter to a full varsity sport, and developed the group's competitive regional and national presence. Molly Norton took over the winterguard in 2004 and has served as the director since then. Jeffrey Peterson has also been involved in the program since 2004 as a co-designer and choreographer. Several other talented staff members have shared their knowledge with the Eden Prairie Winterguard during Molly and Jeffrey’s tenure, including: Justin Tollefson (’04), Emily Savage (’05), Colleen Carter (’07), Jenniffer Whitworth (’07), Tracy Burns (’07-‘09), Emily Hanson (’09), and Stina Urban (’08-‘09). The EP Winterguard’s current staff includes Sarah Greshowak (’10), Ronley Aviles (’10), Becky Bercich (’09-’10), Larysa Euteneuer (’09-’10), and Ruth Boehme (’05,’09-‘10). Over the past few years the Eden Prairie Winterguard has continued to re-imagine its technical strengths, while simultaneously developing its local competitive presence. In 2007, the group placed second at state; in 2008 and 2009, the group won state and placed competitively at WGI World Championships. In 2010, the EP Winterguard welcomed an important new addition to our administrative staff. Cindy DeJong signed on as Business Director and has been performing the difficult tasks of organizing our trips (local and national), overseeing fundraising, developing our budget, conducting parent meetings, and countless other duties. We appreciate all the time and energy she has put forth to keep us moving forward!
Past Shows: 2009: On the Porch (Music: Blackberry Winter by Conni Ellisor) 2008: To See You Again (Music: Fire and Rain by James Taylor) 2007: Circulate (Music: Martyr by Rusted Root) 2006: Clue: EP Edition (Music from the Beetlejuice Soundtrack) 2005: Binga Banga Bongo (Music: The Wild Ones by Lou Busch/Binga Banga Bongo by Terry Snyder) 2004: Babylon (Music: Babylon by David Gray) 2003: The Letter (Music: The Letter by Eva Cassidy) 2002: Music by Jimi Hendrix (And the Wind Cries Mary/Fire) 2001: Clatter, Crash, Clack! (Music from the Dancer in the Dark soundtrack by Bjork) 2000: Music from the “n” soundtrack 1999: Music by Philip Glass (In The Upper Room: Dance IX) 1998: Mambo! (Music: Taki Rari and Malambo No. 1 by Yma Sumac) 1997: Selections by Seal 1996: ABC by the Jackson 5, Spelling Bee by Meryn Cadell and Let It Be by the Beatles 1996 Eden Prairie Novice Class: Time After Time and All Through the Night by Cyndi Lauper 1995: Peace and Love Inc. by the Information Society, Because the Night by 10,000 Maniacs 1994: Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn 1993: Music by Harry Connick Jr 1992: Shades of Winter (Music by Manhattan Transfer) 1991: Overture to Candide |
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