Guard Closet News & Updates

10 Culture Anchors to build your 2026 Marching Arts Program (with Joey Montes)

by Jeremy Williams December 23, 2025

10 Culture Anchors to build your 2026 Marching Arts Program (with Joey Montes)

Marching Band Colorguard Education Symposium with Joey Montes

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).

Posted in 25th Anniversary, Anniversary, Bands of America, blue knights, broken city percussion, Carolina crown, choreography, color, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, colorguard gifts, Consignment, Costumes, custom apparel, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, drum line, drum line gifts, drummer, Eva Independent, Flags, guard closet, Guard Closet Brand Manager, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, marching band gifts, marching by montes, music arranging, News and Announcements, nicole younger, on A Water Break, Parades, percussion, performance apparel, Program Coordination, promo, Recruitment, sara sheilds, show design services, spiritwear, sustainability, Tips for Success, twirling, Uniforms, WGI, wgi winds, Winter Guard

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From Braden River to Carolina Crown to The Academy – The Marching Journey of Juan Brito

by Jeremy Williams November 11, 2025

From Braden River to Carolina Crown to The Academy – The Marching Journey of Juan Brito

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.

Posted in 25th Anniversary, Bands of America, Carolina crown, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, Costumes, custom apparel, dci, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, Flags, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, News and Announcements, Program Coordination, show design services, The Academy, Uniforms, Winter Guard

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Nicole Younger: From BOA Finalists to DCI Corps — A Designer’s Journey

by Jeremy Williams September 17, 2025

Nicole Younger: From BOA Finalists to DCI Corps — A Designer’s Journey

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.

Posted in 25th Anniversary, Auditions, Bands of America, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, Consignment, Costumes, custom apparel, dci, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, drum line, Flags, guard closet, Guard Closet Brand Manager, majorette, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, music arranging, News and Announcements, nicole younger, on A Water Break, Parades, percussion, performance apparel, Program Coordination, Recruitment, Round Rock, show design services, spiritwear, The Academy, Tips for Success, twirling, Uniforms, WGI, Winter Guard

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Kim Jones | Pennsauken’s “Let Them Eat Cake,” The Light & Downingtown West

by Jeremy Williams September 15, 2025

Kim Jones | Pennsauken’s “Let Them Eat Cake,” The Light & Downingtown West

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.

Posted in 25th Anniversary, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, Consignment, Costumes, dci, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, drum line, Guard Closet Brand Manager, Kim Jones, majorette, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, music arranging, News and Announcements, Parades, performance apparel, Program Coordination, promo, Recruitment, show design services, spiritwear, Tips for Success, twirling, Uniforms, WGI, Winter Guard

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Meet Alicia Sharp | Guard Closet Brand Manager & Designer

by Jeremy Williams August 18, 2025

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

Posted in 25th Anniversary, alicia Sharp, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, Costumes, custom apparel, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, Etude Winter Guard, Guard Closet Brand Manager, Gulf Coast Judges Association, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, music arranging, News and Announcements, Parades, percussion, performance apparel, Program Coordination, show design services, spiritwear, Uniforms, Winter Guard

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Guard Closet Welcomes Marching by Montes | Joey Montes & Sara Shields

by Jeremy Williams August 18, 2025

Guard Closet Welcomes Marching by Montes | Joey Montes & Sara Shields

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

Posted in 25th Anniversary, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, Costumes, custom apparel, dci, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, drum line, drummer, Eva Independent, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, marching by montes, News and Announcements, on A Water Break, Program Coordination, sara sheilds, show design services, Tips for Success, Troopers Drum Corps, twirling, Uniforms, WGI, wgi winds, Winter Guard

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Guard Closet Welcomes Kim Jones: Your Marching Arts & Pageantry Expert

by Jeremy Williams August 18, 2025

Guard Closet Welcomes Kim Jones: Your Marching Arts & Pageantry Expert

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.

Posted in 25th Anniversary, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, Costumes, design drill design, drill design, Guard Closet Brand Manager, Kim Jones, Marching Arts, Marching Band, marching band consultant, music arranging, News and Announcements, Parades, show design services, spiritwear, Tips for Success, WGI, Winter Guard

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Introducing Lori Winschel: Guard Closet’s New Brand Manager & Marching Arts Consultant

by Jeremy Williams July 17, 2025

At Guard Closet, we partner with marching arts programs on every detail—uniforms,props, spirit wear, and performance-day execution. That’s why we...

Posted in Auditions, choreography, Color Guard, colorguard, colorguard gear sourcing, Costumes, custom apparel, design drill design, drill design, Drum Corps, drummer, Flags, guard closet, Guard Closet Brand Manager, marching band consultant, music arranging, News and Announcements, Parades, performance apparel, promo, show design services, spiritwear, Tips for Success, Uniforms, WGI, Winter Guard

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