
 |
- 7th July '08
Click the image for details of The Academy's 21st birthday.
Tickets available online today ! |
————————————————————————————
CYCLISTS WANTED!!! - 13th May '08
SPONSORED CYCLE RACE – HELP RAISE MONEY FOR TA
Basically, we get sponsorship individually (but race as a team), we send all the sponsorship money we raise to the events coordinator (Rotary
club) and they send TA a cheque back with extra money added on to the total we raised!
SUNDAY 1st JUNE 2008 - 9AM
7 MILES AROUND GRAYS (or 21 or 42 miles if your brave!)
£5 Entry fee (free if under 16)
PLEASE CONTACT LISA DARTON FOR FORMS BY 16th MAY Anyone marching BK has permission to participate in this event and then go straight to rehearsal after
————————————————————————————
Roaring success to end of a great 2008 season
- 13th May '08
On Saturday 10th May 2008 the Stifford Clays social club was host to a fantastic evening celebrating the end of TA's successful 2008 season.
The season brought many highlights, including the creation of our new cadet unit, which has already doubled in size, and trips to Holland for the European regionals, and to the World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
And of course we cannot forget the incredible achievement of the A guard who, after merging with last seasons Junior guard, went on to win the British A Class Colourguard Championships in Brentwood on 5th April. The 1st time in TA's history for taking the A class title.
It was great to see such a big turn out for the presentation evening, which surely contributed to such a successful evening. Congratulate all the members who won awards of achievement and excellence in 2008, and to all the staff who were an integral part of the successes we achieved this season. But most of all i would like to thank everyone for being part of TA's 2008 journey. It was a pleasure to see everyone enjoying themselves so much after working as a team for the past 8 months.
We raised a whopping £667.64 on the night, so thanks must go to Stifford Clays Social Club for sponsoring the event, to Matt Johnson for producing the DVD's which sold extremely well on the night, and of course to Linda Gray and Diane Mansfield for making over £190 on the raffle (and would have sold more had i had more tickets!).
We still have a few DVD's for sale if anyone not attending wishes to purchase them. This includes Open WGUK prelims, Open WGI prelims and A Class WGI prelims. DVD's are £3 each or £5 if you buy 2. Please contact Lisa Darton if you wish to purchase one
Photos will be up very shortly, as well as all the award winners and thank you's.
Anyone wishing to take part in the Grays Cycle Marathon on Sunday 1st June please contact Lisa Darton ASAP
Thank you again for such a great end to a great season Lisa
————————————————————————————
The Academy and Black Knights enter Strategic Partnership - 27th Feb'08
The director and management of The Academy Performance Ensemble and Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps are delighted to announce that a new strategic partnership has been put in place from February 2008.
After many years of sharing members between the two organisations it was decided that the knowledge and practices of both organisations could be better used in a partnership. The partnership is not designed to affect the everyday running of either organisation but to build friendships, databases, vested interests and to encourage movement of members between the organisations.
The Academy director, Lisa Darton, and management team are looking forward to working with the director and management team of Black Knights Drum and Bugle corp.
————————————————————————————
Uniforms for Sale - 7th May '08
The Academy are selling both their A guard and Open guard 2008 uniforms.
A guard uniforms: ALGY uniforms - 12 girls Ivory & green dresses/Culottes with sashes and 2 matching boys uniforms (trousers and
top) = £420 OVNO (£30 per dress)
Senior guard uniforms: Bandhall uniforms - 12 burgandy velvet all in ones, full sleeved, high neck, zip back = £420 OVNO (£35 per uniform)
Please contact Lisa Darton for more info Lisa.Darton@googlemail.com
07904 262377
————————————————————————————
TA Need Your Funiture ! - 21st Feb'08
Our Mission: Clear out the TA garage...... Kit it out with wardrobes, chest of drawers, shelves etc..... Get all TA gear back under one roof....... Stock take..... organise our assets!
Should you choose to accept it:
Saturday 23rd February........ Van + men at garage = DUMP all bootsale boxes (This means we need men!)
APPEAL 1...... If you have any old wardrobes, chest of drawers, shelving units, wood and brackets you could donate to TA please let LISA know ASAP (whilst she is still off). We are willing to bring the van to you and off load you of your stuff!
APPEAL 2...... Over the years TA have lost a lot of 'stuff' in peoples houses, garages, lofts, cars etc. These are all TA assets and could help with our financial situation considerably. If you have any stuff belonging to TA at all, silks especially, uniforms, accessories, poles, weapons, plates, cups, tins, floors, scenery etc etc.. Please can you return this to TA by 16th March 2008. This is simply because we know there is a lot of stuff out there and we really do need it at the moment.... Please pass this message on to members who are no longer with us and may have equipment.
Saturday 22nd March.......... Van + lots of men/women = The Organisation of the garage and ALL TA ASSETS! (This means we need helpers!)
————————————————————————————
Name Change - 15th Jan '08
The Academy would like to announce a name change for competing at both the WGI European regional and WGI World Championships for the 2008 season, for both their Open and A class competing Units.
The Academy (UK) will now be registered as the following:
The 'Thurrock' Academy
This incorporates our original name and will also ensure their is no confusion between The Academy (UK) and The Academy (US) colourguards!!!
————————————————————————————
TA Bursary applications are now open - 9th Jan '08
Friends and supporters of TA have been working together over the past few months to put together a bursary fund to help members of TA in funding their season. The rules and application forms for this bursary are now available on our website. Applications for 2008 season need to be returned by 31/01/08. All the members of the bursary fund will be meeting 1 week after the closing date and will announce successful applicants within 1 week of meeting. Any questions please contact Ken Mansfield. This bursary fund is open to anyone who has previously completed a season with TA.
[Download Area]
————————————————————————————
The Academy is pleased to announce show programmes and staff for the
2008 season.
- 7th Jan '08
Open Class - [more] A Class - [more] Cadets - [more]
————————————————————————————
PREVIEW WEEKEND & floor painting!- 3rd Jan '08
6pm til 8pm - £1 Entry
Free Tea/Coffee/Squash and Biscuits
St Georges School
Meadow Road
Gravesend
DA11 7LS
Delayed Christmas Raffle to be drawn - Please bring back ALL tickets (Sold i hope!)
6:00pm watch all 3 guards warming up
6:30pm Cadets 2 performances
6:50pm A Guard 2 performances
7:15pm Seniors 2 performances
7:45pm Raffle to be drawn
————————————————————————————
Cadets star in '12 Days of Christmas' - 12th December '07
Our newest group of young members made their first public appearance last week, at the '12 days of christmas' theatre show produced by Thurrock council. The show includes stars and dancers from the most recent west end musicals, and show cases a few different performances from local community groups each day. [more]
————————————————————————————
Rehearsal Schedules - 12th December '07
Schedules for all units for 2008 can be found in the download area.
————————————————————————————
TA Bursary Fund (Scholarship) - 11th September '07
As you know we have been talking for some time now about starting a TA Scholarship
GOOD NEWS !!!!
This will be going ahead for the 2008 season.
The scholarship will be open to all units within TA, so watch out for more details after Sunday 7th October 2007.
————————————————————————————
TA LAUNCH NEW WEBSHOP! - 3rd September '07
Shop online and raise funds for The Academy.
As part of an on going fundraising drive, Ray has found a new and simple but effective way of easy fundraising by setting up the TA Webshop.
Over 100 retailers are accessible through the webshop, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, RAC, Carphone Warehouse, Asda and Thorntons. Many retailers provide exclusive offers to the webshop, such as discounts or offering free delivery to the customer, providing more reasons for you to buy products through the webshop.
The idea is simple and fundraising/donating to our organisation couldnt be easier. We recieve between 2% and 12% commission on ever purchase made through the webshop. There's no extra cost to you when you help fundraise via our webshop. You will pay the same prices as shopping directly with the retailer. This means shopping online can be secure, quick and beneficial for you and our organisation.
So go on, have a look at www.buy.at/theacademy or click on the "buy.at" banner on the home page...and remember we all benefit from this so spread the word...tell your friends and family about our new webshop.
HAPPY SHOPPING!
————————————————————————————
APPEAL FOR MOBILES & COINS RECYCLING -
16th Aug'07
As part of a tough fundraising drive this season Jeremy has registered The Academy for 2 appeals which will help us financially and help the planet!
Mobile Phone recycling - We are collecting old mobile phones, printers, toners, print cartridges, which The Academy get money for to recycle.
Now i know you must all have at LEAST 1 old mobile phone at home, the amount you all text!
Therefore please collect in as many old mobiles as possible (family, friends etc) and bring to a) my party on Saturday b) Cadet / Junior registration day on Tue 4th Sept or c) A / Open registration day on Sun 8th Oct. Alternatively contact Darren or Jeremy to arrange collection. I might be in South America from Sunday but i will be keeping track and hope to see at least 40 mobile phones collected in!
Dont forget printer toners / cartridges and printers can also be donated
Coin Collection - Its holiday season which means EVERYONE must have a few left over foreign coins or notes around the house. We are also collecting any left over coins / notes you have floating round the house, which we send to an official organisation who in return send us the equivalent £ back.
EASY FUNDRAISING... I expect to hear that we raised lots of money from this!!!!! So off you go, start searching now
————————————————————————————
Directors
report! - A day in the life of TA at Wembley -
15th Aug'07
Day 1 in the TA house.....
Its saturday 4th August
and 30 members of The
Academy team
boarded a coach very early, heading
towards the impressive new wembley stadium for
their first rehearsal as part of the opening ceremony.
TA are to be part of an opening ceremony at the FA Community Shield match,
Man U vs Chelsea. Treated like VIP's the members were shown to their changing
room, next to the Man U changing rooms, which were identical to the players
rooms. Seriously impressive changing rooms, very modern, and the super
powerful hand dryers kept the kids amused for ages! [more]
————————————————————————————
Now
a registered Charity - The Academy - wins funding for WGI trip
- 27th
July '07
Yesterday
was a great day for TA and certainly put a smile on my face
It is with much excitement that i announce finally The Academy has become
a registered charity, as of Thursday 26th July 2007. This will be a huge
benefit to the members, staff, trustee's and supporters of TA and make
a huge difference to our fundraising capabilities.
Additionally, The Academy secured £5000 sponsorship from The Jack
Petchey Foundation to help reduce the cost for our members travelling
to Dayton, USA for the WGI world championships in April 2008.
Further details will be announced to members at the Fun day on sunday
29th July 2007.
————————————————————————————
Shannon
Meadows June 2007 Jack Petchey Achievement Award winner
- 25th July '07
Shannon Meadows was more than
suprised at a local performance at Grays Beach on Saturday 21st July,
when the Mayor of Thurrock called Shannon up to present her with the June
2007 Jack Petchey Achievement award on behalf of The Academy. Shannon
was nominated by the staff of TA for her hard work and determination in
the past few months. As many TA members enjoy their summer off, or are
working hard with drum corp, Shannon has been attending junior rehearsals
every tuesday night. Shannon has since moved up to spinning a 6ft flag
pole, and recently learnt the whole flag routine for our football performances.
Shannon also loves attending all the fundraising events and local performances,
helping out where she can. The staff are all very proud of shannon and
hope that she continues to work hard over the coming years and carry on
achieving like she is.
John
Sharman recieves the 2007 Jack Petchey Leaders Award
- 25th july '07
John Sharman was at Grays beach
on Saturday 21st July, where TA were performing at a local music festival,
to recieve the 2007 Jack Petchey Leaders award from the Mayor of Thurrock.
It was with great pleasure that TA nominated John Sharman for his long
standing service, dedication, passion, commitment, tears, sweat and joy
that he has given to TA over the years. John was the founder of The Academy
(then called Thurrock Academy) back in 1989, when Thurrock Marching Brass
disbanded.
He kept the guard going for many years, until handing the responsibility
to Ken Mansfield. But John continued to teach the guard for many years,
producing many medal winning shows, and of course our first gold medal
in open class in 1996. John also worked hard to start up our first junior
guard in 2001, going on to write the junior class show in 2002 which won
junior class british championships. Taking a short break John is now well
and truely back teaching our junior guard, and of course keeping his 3
kids involved at all levels. Many of you will know John for his 'loud'
teaching techniques, i know, i was taught by him for 10 years. But Johns
inspirations and achievements in teaching so many young people is enbedded
deeply into TA, an ever expanding organisation now being run by the shy
little girl who came to him aged 13 and who he taught for more than 10
years! Thanks John for everything, on behalf of all of TA, you deserve
it.
TA
recieve £4,900 funding from Thurrock Thames Gateway Community Funding
- 25th
July '07
It is with great pleasure that
i announce TA have been successful in being awarded £4900 from the
Thurrock Thames Gateway Community Funding scheme. These much needed funds
will be used to support additional rehearsals on Tuesday Evenings, helping
to develop our A guard and Senior members for competition in WGI World
Championships in April 2008.
Additionally these funds will help support funding for new equipment and
costumes for our groups who will be competing against the worlds top colourguards
in their respective classes. The Academy would like the thank TTGCF for
their support to our organisation. Keep your eye out in the local papers
for media relating to The Academys successful funding bid.
————————————————————————————
TA
FUN DAY & REHEARSAL - SUN 29th JULY
(Not SAT 28th as originally announced)
————————————————————————————
TEDDY
BEAR FANCY DRESS PICNIC - 20th July ''07
LOUISE invites
all MEMBERS/STAFF/FANS of TA to join in a fancy dress teddy bears picnic
at TA's Fun Day. This means dressing the teddy bear up, not yourself!
So please bring your favourite teddy bear along, in fancy dress
[more]
————————————————————————————
Quarry
Hill School Images - 18th July ''07 [more]
————————————————————————————
JP Achievement Award Winner for 1st Quarter 2007 -
5th June ''07
Kimberely Hogg was
awarded the Jack Petchey Achievement Award for 1st Quarter 2007. This
award covered January to March 2007 and was awarded for her outstanding
contributions to fundraising, her committment to rehearsals and her determination
to work much harder throughout the 2007 season. The staff for the A guard
said 'Kimberely has changed so much in the last year, helping others at
rehearsals and pushing herself really hard in technique and performance.
She has been a pleasure to teach'.
The management committee also commented on her committment to fundraising
events and the work she does at home for tombola and merchandise stalls.
The 2nd Quarter
awards will be presented in the next 2 weeks
————————————————————————————
The
Academy local Summer Performances
- 30thMay '07
The Academy is pleased
to announce 2 more dates to our summer schedule.
TA will be performing their fun summer flag routine using music from Hard
Fi - Living for the weekend, Missy Elliot - Pass the Dutch and Gwen Stefani
- What you waiting for.
Dates are
as follows
Sat
14th July
- Quarry Hill Infant and Junior school fete
This will include
a performance by the Senior, A and Junior members in their combined flag
routine, as well a workshops to encourage young people to come and try
'flag dancing' on the day. Quarry Hill is the most local Infant and Junior
school to The Academy's base at Grays Media Arts School. All members of
TA's summer scheme will be need to be available for this performance (expected
mid day)
Sat
21st July
- Celebration of Thurrock - Grays Beach
This is a huge event
run by Thurrock Council and sponsored by many local businesses. Many local
bands, rock bands and music groups will be performing during the day,
with an ABBA tribute performance in the evening. The Academy will be performing
their summer flag routine throughout the day, as well as running workshops
to encourage young members to try 'flag dancing' on the day. All members
of TA's summer scheme will need to be available for this performance.
Members performing will get free tickets for the ABBA tribute concert
in the evening.
Sat
28th July
- TA Fun day
Members and
friends of TA please remember that we have a fun day on 28th July - SAVE
THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY! anyone welcome, please let Lisa Darton know if
you can attend. This will be the last TA event Lisa will be attending
before jetting off to South America for 3 1/2 months!!!!!!
————————————————————————————
The
Academy launch new Cadet group - 30thMay '07
The Academy are pleased
to announce the successful launch of their new cadet group, taking TA
to a four group organisation. TA will now be competing in all 4 classes
for 2008 WGUK season. This is great news for the future of TA, as we strive
to encourage young people into our flourishing and rewarding activity.
The cadet group is
the result of hard work from Gaynor Woodcock and Cheryl Corcoran who are
running this very young group. Both have joined the staff and worked hard
in recruiting members and putting together a fun show for the 2008 season.
Cheryl was an original member of The Academy and is famous for her rifle
tricks. After many years out to concentrate on her large family, we now
have 3 of her children performing in TA. Gaynor was a member of Blue Ambassadors,
a local drum corp back in the TMB days. Gaynor has become addicted to
colourguard after her daughter joined us last year!
The cadets rehearse
every Tuesday evening from 6pm - 7:30pm at Grays Media Arts school sports
hall. Last night was their 2nd rehearsal where
6 young members were learning ballet basics and flag basics. The show
is being designed with the help of Lara Corcoran and Aimee Agombar and
will be announced at a later date, along with TA's other groups shows.
Members are aged 4 - 9yrs and their guard captain is Shayne Howlett
We are currently working
hard to recruit for our Cadet and Junior groups, including local displays
in July. The groups will be performing around Thurrock during July and
hope to encourage many more young people into our activity. Please watch
this space for dates of performances
If anyone
is interested in joining our groups please contact Lisa Darton on the.academy.uk@googlemail.com
Young people are encouraged to come along and join in for free to see
if they like it
————————————————————————————
The Academy competing in WGI 2008 -
22nd May '07
The Academy are delighted and excited to announce that both TA's A and Open class guards will be travelling to Dayton in April 2008 to compete in the WGI Championships. This is The Academy's 3rd trip to the WGI Championships, and the first time TA's A guard will be making the trip.
Both guards will be travelling to Dayton for 6 days where the members will have the opportunity to perform with some of the worlds top guards leading up to the championships. [more]
————————————————————————————
TA entertain 24,500 football fans!!! - 9th May '07
On Monday 7th May 20 members of TA gave up their bank holiday to perform at the FA Womens Cup Final in Nottingham Forest. Televised live on BBC One the members entertained the largest ever FA Womens cup final crowd of 24,500 football fans. This was also the biggest ever crowd TA have performed in front of!!!!!!
[more]
————————————————————————————
POKER NIGHT - 8th May '07
Details [more]
————————————————————————————
TA PRESENTATION NIGHT - 26th April '07
Details [more]
THE ACADEMY PERFORM AT FA WOMEN'S CUP FINAL - 25th April '07
It is with great pleasure that The Academy announces it will be performing at the 2007 FA Women's Cup Final in Nottingham Forest on Monday 7th May.
The FA Women's cup final between Arsenal and Charlton is already set to break record ticket sales, with over 14,000 fans expected to attend.
This game will also be broadcast live on BBC One. The Academy will be performing their new 3 minute flag and dance routine at the opening ceremony at 12:40pm, followed by a Guard of Honour at 1pm, where they will be presenting the team players onto the pitch.
This is a great start to The Academy's summer program and an honour to be performing at such a high profile event. This event will see members of The Academy's A guard, Senior guard and staff all performing together for the first time.
RACE FOR LIFE - 19th April '07
Sandra Darton is running in the Race for Life in June.
This is a big challenge for her and she is helping to raise much needed fund for Breast cancer research and care. She will be bringing a sponsor form round at the presentation evening, please be generous as its a worthwhile cause. If you are not attending the presentation evening and would still like to sponsor her please email her on Sandra_Darton@salvationarmy.org
BOOT SALE - 19th April '07
CONGRATULATIONS to Aimee Agombar, Lara Corcoran and Kimberely Hogg (supported by Lisa & Darren Darton) who worked hard at Nevendon Bootsale on 15th April and raised a total of £113 for TA. This was a great effort and they got great tans as well. The Van is now full of bootsale stuff and anyone wishing to do a bootsale should let me know their prefered date and venue and we'll get the van there for you.
Charlene, Aimee and Lara will be working hard again on 22nd April at another bootsale, please contact Lisa Darton if you are able to help them.
Quote from Aimee and Lara..... "I never knew it was so easy to raise so much money from selling other peoples stuff, we should do this more often, we raised enough money for a full set of flags in 1 morning"..................
Fundraising Evening 16th March - 28th Feb '07
Available through the Download area and here - [link]
Maps available :
[high level map]
[low level map]
WGI Regional Images Added - 21st Feb '07
Available through the images menu above and here - [link]
2007 Images Added - 9th Feb '07
Available through the images menu above and here - [link]
Soaring to Success - 6th Feb '07
It's with a smile on our face that we put together this latest news report for all three TA colourguard's.
2007 kicked off on January 14 th in Grantham followed in quick succession by Burgess Hill and Burton on Trent. All three units have amazed and surprised judges and audience alike.
Junior Guard
A fifth and two thirds so far in 2007, the competition is strong but all the members of the Junior guard are holding their own and are exceeding the expectations of their staff. The unit is on an upward spiral and the staff is re-adjusting their goals and expectations every weekend.
‘A' Guard
Joint fourth at the first show, third at Burgess Hill and second at Burton . This group of young girls and boys are technically setting new dimensions for an Academy ‘A' class unit. Their show is well received by audience up and down the country. This group is also performing above expectations performing some equipment work that would not look out of place in Open class.
Seniors
Wow, wow and WOW. What else can we say about this group? Audiences are gob smacked at their performances, the judges are responding to their total package. The grace and posture along with emotional, intellectual and atheistic qualities are beginning to shine through. '07 is the best start The Academy seniors have made to a WGUK season since 2003 with two thirds and a first so far.
Overall
All three units are one big family in 07, something I don't think we have EVER had at The Academy in all of our 19 th year history. The support, camaraderie, belief and love spread though all three units.
See you all at the WGI Regional, February 17 th 2007, at the Crystal Palace International Sports Centre, London Preview - FREE - Sun 7th Jan - 5-7pm - 5th Jan '07
TA are proud to be hosting their preview on Sunday 7th January at Sydney Russel Leisure Centre, Parsloes Avenue Dagenham, RM9 5QT. The evening will be kicking off at 5pm with 2 performances each from all 3 of The Academy guards and time to socialise after the event. We will be finishing and cleared out by 7pm. The event is FREE to any spectators, we will be selling raffle tickets on the night to help contribute towards our ever increasing rehearsal site costs, there will be a cash prize drawn at the end. There will also be a small bar on site to purchase soft drinks, beer and wine. Please bring along as many friends, family and supporters as possible to support the young members in their last performances before entering into competition next weekend. The support from you all gives them much needed confidence and encouragement to succeed. [click for map]
Members Information [more]
PAINTERS WANTED - 28th Nov '06
Sat 9th Dec (10-12am) - To help paint guards floors at Dagenham
Xmas Raffle Tickets -- 28th Nov'06
Xmas raffle ticket sales are going well, but we still have a long way to go to complete our target of raising £900 this xmas. Over 1000 tickets went out so we should be able to reach this target. Please remember to get out and about selling your tickets and bring back sold tickets and money as soon as possible (any unsold tickets can still be sold by others so remember to bring them back too!). The draw is taking place on Sunday 17th Dec and tickets need to be returned to Lorraine Gray or Lisa Darton by 10th December. All money raised will be going towards the £1500 needed for costumes/shoes this season. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get out and about selling those tickets.
TA awarded funding for theatre scheme - 7th Nov '06
The Academy Performance ensemble is extremely excited to announce that we have recieved a further £7,000 funding from LNF (Local Network
funding) to help support our new scheme to take colourguard to theatres around the country in 2007. The Academy is working hard to put plans together to develop this scheme and open colourguard to a wider audience.
The scheme will be running from April to Sept
and will incorporate shows and performances in
various theatres around the country and possibly
abroad. The members of TA and anyone wishing
to be involved in this scheme will get to
experience colourguard in a theatrical
environment, as well attend sessions to develop
skills in costume design, dress making, theatrical make up and hair, lighting and stage scenery.
As part of the scheme TA will be supporting Rock Challenge and local initiatives to promote performing arts in Thurrock, as well as helping to save well known sites in the area. Very shortly we will be announcing the first round of performances and will be adding to these over the next few months.
Anyone wishing to be part of this scheme, either as a member of the performance ensemble, or as a volunteer teaching colourguard, dance, visual, costume design/dress making, makeup & hair, theatre lighting or scenery building etc should contact Lisa Darton on the.academy.uk@googlemail.com
please check our new website regularly for updates on this scheme
The Academy announce plans for 2007
The Academy seniors are excited by new additions to their staff line up this season. KC Michel and Damon Padilla will be joining The Academy as Visual and Equipment designers; both of whom have a wealth of Colourguard experience in WGI and DCI. It is with great pleasure that we welcome them on to our team along side our UK staff Darren Darton, Ken Mansfield, Lisa Darton, Lorraine Gray, Peter Lippiatt and of course Dale Powers who will help co-ordinating the guard. The Academy senior show will be announced on our website after their first rehearsal on 15th October, along with staff bios, so please stop by and have a read. The guard will be taking challenging steps forward this season with what promises to be one of our most beautiful and challenging shows yet.
The Academy A guard are also excited to welcome Matt Johnson on to their staff line up, joining Darren Darton, Lisa Darton, Karen Walsh and Charmaine mansfield. The A guard will this year be performing to Galileo by the Indigo Girls, in a show depicting the life and death of the great Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. The guard are taking giant leaps forward with this exciting and definitely the most challenging show we have produced in A class.
The Academy Junior guard has grown over the summer thanks to our successful summer scheme. This year we take great pleasure in welcoming back to the junior staff line John Sharman, Vicky Thurston and Trudy Lawrence, who have been part of TA since the very beginning. The juniors are performing to a version of Simple Gifts sang by children and a gospel choir. The members are having a lot of fun learning the art of ‘flag dancing'
The Academy groups will all be performing at Reflexions preview in Brighton on 16th December as well as our own preview on 7th January in Essex.
Summer tour 07 - The Academy is also proud to announce the launch of their summer tour, taking Colourguard to the stage in spectacular style. The Academy will initially be performing in theatres in London and around Essex with plans in progress to extend the tour around the country and possibly abroad. With the help from Local Network Funding, Jack Petchey and Awards for All we hope this will be one of The Academy's most successful projects, spreading Colourguard to wider audiences and giving members new and exciting experiences. |