Color Guard and Winter Guard

At Catawba Ridge High School, our Color Guard is proud to compete in two dynamic and exciting seasons: Marching Band and Winter Guard.

Our Marching Band season kicks off with auditions each spring and runs through November. During this time, members receive foundational training in flag, weapon, and dance technique, while also learning an original, choreographed show. This visually captivating performance is featured during halftime at football games and showcased at marching band competitions, with the Color Guard playing a key role in bringing the show to life.

When the Marching Band season wraps up in November, we transition into Winter Guard, which continues through April. Winter Guard performances take place indoors—typically in gyms and arenas—and are set to recorded soundtracks. With the guard as the sole visual focus, performers take their skills to the next level, advancing their technique and mastering more intricate choreography and equipment work.

Catawba Ridge is proud to field three competitive Winter Guard teams:

  • Cadets
  • Junior Varsity (JV) Guard
  • Varsity Guard

All three teams compete in the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA) and on the national stage with Winter Guard International (WGI).

Whether on the field or the floor, our Color Guard members demonstrate passion, discipline, and artistry—continuing a tradition of excellence at Catawba Ridge.

Percussion

The Catawba Ridge Indoor Percussion Ensemble is a highly skilled, audition-based group made up of dedicated percussion and wind students. Known for their precision and musical excellence, the ensemble competes in the following prestigious divisions:

  • 2025 – Scholastic A Division
  • 2021-2024 – Scholastic Concert World Class Division

Each season, the ensemble represents Catawba Ridge at the highest levels of competition within both the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) circuits—earning recognition for their commitment to performance excellence.

Major Accomplishments
  • 2025 Season: “Light Our Way”
    • CWEA SA Premiere – 2nd Place
    • WGI SA Spartanburg Regional Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA SA Riverbluff Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA SA Rock Hill Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA SA Championship Champions – 1st Place
    • WGI SA World Championship – 10th Place
  • 2024 Season: “Beneath Our Soles”
    • CWEA SCW Premiere – 2nd Place
    • WGI SCW Spartanburg Regional Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA SCW River Bluff Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA SCW Indian Land Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA SCW Championship Champions – 1st Place
    • WGI SCW World Championship Champions – 1st Place
  • 2023 Season: “Syzygy” Chapter III
    • ◦ WGI PSCW Silver Medalist – 2nd Place
    • ◦ CWEA PSCW Champion – 1st Place
    • ◦ WGI Spartanburg PSCW Champion – 1st Place
  • 2022 Season: “Aether” Chapter II
    • WGI PSCW Bronze Medalist – 3rd Place
    • CWEA PSCW Champion – 1st Place
    • WGI Spartanburg PSCO Champion – 1st Place
    • South Carolina (SCBDA) PSCO Champion – 1st Place
  • 2021 Virtual Season: “The Cosmos” Chapter I
    • CWEA Virtual PSCO Champion – 1st Place
    • WGI Virtual Finalist

Winds

Indoor Winds is an extension of our Marching Band program for students playing Brass and Woodwind instruments.  All members must be enrolled in a band class. This audition-based, extracurricular group, meets during the Winter season and will perform in the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) competition circuits. Indoor winds auditions will be held in late November, and the ensemble will rehearse 2 to 3 times weekly afterschool from December to April. During the season students will learn a show that demonstrates a high level of excellence in visual and musical artistry.

Major Accomplishments
  • 2024 Season: The Darkside Experience
    • CWEA Premiere Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA Mooresville Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA Charlotte Regional Champions – 1st. Place
    • CWEA Indian Land Champions – 1st Place
    • CWEA Dorman Champions – 1st Place
    • WGI World Championships Champions – 1st Place

Jazz Band

Jazz Ensemble is an extra-curricular ensemble that will meet outside of school hours during the spring semester. Students must also be a member of a band class. Students will be studying jazz ensemble music and all of its various styles through the performance of jazz literature. Jazz Ensemble students will perform multiple concerts throughout the year, and will be responsible for some community performances. Jazz Ensemble students are eligible to audition for All-State Jazz Band.