After a heavy Winter and much speculation about what was or wasn't going to happen during the 2006 Winter Season, it was time to let the programs lose, and boy, what a spectacular start to the season it was!

The Juniors were 1st out of the block for Northern Academy, and with a theme that has been well received internally by all members, staff, parents and supporters, taking the field for the first time in Winter were many new youngsters from the local area, including from the legendary Concord Drum & Bugle Corps, a new addition to the NAPA Family of members this year.

The Anne & Nicola Garlick costume designs were fantastic against the floor representing the sound bars stretching from one corner to the next, and the members delivered the program with a confidence and smoothness that was richly and warmly received by judges and audience alike, giving them top honors in the first show of the season with an impressive score of 68.1, and also taking high honors in Equipment, Movement, Ensemble and GE Captions! An outstanding start for the youngsters that have plenty more to give as the season unfolds.

The Day moved on, and it was the turn of the senior Open Guard to deliver their program for the first time in competition. This years program had already sparked the imagination both here in the UK and also in the USA, and the team have put together yet another original concept and package that will challenge the viewer and members alike. The moment in time journey of the JFK assassination is a hugely brave and mammoth undertaking, but one that the Northern Academy staff are more than prepared for.

The opening dance sequence was amazing, and the poise and beauty of the music were matched with a performance level that truly inspired before entering into the frenzied, chaotic confusion that signified that something terrible had happened. With so much layering going on, there are clearly some areas of this portion of the program that will develop going forwards, but the transition into the final lone trumpeter section was breathtakingly emotional, and the delivery, even at this early stage in the season was rich with quality of performance that will stand the guard in good sted to build on going forwards.

This program challenges your thought process, and your emotions, not only as a viewer, but also as a marching member, and as it unfolds and develops, will be talked about and remembered for a long time to come.

In only their 3rd season at this level, Northern Academy had their best ever start, coming 2nd to an impressive Mayflower (70.7) and with an equally impressive score of 68.2, taking High honors for GE overall in the process.

Congratulations to all competing guards, and especially to Mayflower for their victory at Stoke. It looks set to be a great year for WGUK.