Guard Closet News & Updates

Building a strong marching band or color guard program takes more than reps—it takes culture. In this featured workshop clip, Joey Montes (MarchingByMontes) breaks down 10 Culture Anchors to help directors create consistency, clear expectations, and student ownership that lasts beyond one season.

Watch: 10 Culture Anchors

Want the full unlisted workshop replay? Email design@guardcloset.com (name + school/program + role).

It's the end of the season. You're tired. Your kids are tired. Your staff is tired. Your show flag is probably still somewhere in the back of someone’s car. This guide was built for YOU — the marching-arts humans who gave everything this year and deserve a reset.

Follow Florida educator Juan Brito’s path from Braden River HS to Spirit of Atlanta, Carolina Crown, and The Academy as he inspires the next generation of color-guard performers.

Nicole Younger’s design career includes BOA finalists, WGI medalists, and DCI corps. Explore her work at Round Rock, Tomball, Corbin, Monarch, and The Academy.

Kim’s foundation began as a performer herself — marching with Crossmen, Blue Devils, and Blackwatch — before moving into instruction and design. Across Archbishop Wood, Pennsauken, Downingtown West, and her independent ensembles, her shows are remembered for their creativity, strong performer training, and unforgettable visual impact.

With 20 years in the pageantry arts, Alicia Sharp joins Guard Closet as a Brand Manager, designer, and adjudicator serving programs across the Southeast.

Guard Closet welcomes Marching by Montes, the creative partnership of Joey Montes and Sara Shields, bringing drill design, choreography, and marching band show design.

Guard Closet is excited to welcome Kim Jones to our Brand Manager team! With a rich background in drum corps, color guard, and marching band design, Kim brings fresh insight and trusted expertise to help programs shine on and off the field.

Guard Closet is proud to announce an exciting addition to our team: four extraordinary designers—Dylan Watson, Hunter McDaniels, Ashlee Amos, Erika Plez, and André Williams! Each of these talented individuals brings a wealth of experience and a unique creative vision to elevate our clients’ productions.

Elevate your programs with Dylan Watson—3× WGI World Class gold medalist and DCI veteran offering custom color guard choreography that transforms performances.

Welcome to another exciting episode of On A Water Break, your go-to podcast for everything in the marching arts world! In this episode, we discuss the WGI Winds division, dive into the challenges of band director burnout, and reveal some of the most exciting new show themes for the 2024 season.

In this action-packed episode of the On A Water Break podcast, we dive deep into the world of WGI Percussion, featuring insightful interviews with some of the brightest talents and rising stars in the marching arts. From the challenges of maintaining top-tier performance standards to the personal stories of the field, this episode covers it all. If you’re a fan of Winter Guard International, drumlines, or marching percussion, this episode is a must-listen!