what is color guard

Color guard, also known as color team or color party in some countries, refers to a team of performers who execute choreographed dances and routines with various equipment to enhance and interpret the music of a marching band or drum and bugle corps show. The equipment used by color guards includes flags, fake rifles, sabres, and other props. They are often found in American colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools, and independent drum corps. In the military, a color guard is a detachment of soldiers assigned to the protection of regimental colors and the national flag. They typically consist of a "Color Sergeant" carrying the National Colors, a unit or command color bearer, and two color escorts carrying rifles and/or sabres. The purpose of the color guard is to interpret the music that the marching band or drum and bugle corps is playing via the synchronized work of flags, sabres, rifles, and dance. Additionally, there are also winter color guards that participate in competitions, using flags, sabres, mock rifles, and other equipment, as well as dance and interpretive movement