Panteras Independent
Performance Ensemble
What is Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble?
Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble is an Independent A Class winter guard founded in 1993 as Pell City High School Winter Guard in Pell City, Alabama. In 2007, Pell City High School Winter Guard was renamed Panteras Winter Guard, remaining with Pell City High School until it became an independent organization in the fall of 2009. That year it entered into the Regional A (Independent B) Division of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit under it's present name. * In the fall of 2010, Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble moved into the Independent A Division of SCGC and entered into a formal agreement to merge with Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, Georgia.
Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble prides itself as a youth education, performing-arts organization dedicated to the development of self-esteem and self-reliance of adolescents. It encourages team work, sportsmanship, civic pride and contributions of one's personal best to a group effort through a musical- and performance-focused activity in which there is a blending of the arts and athletics.
*Pell City High School regrouped under the name Pell City High School Winter Guard in 2009 and currently competes in the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Scholastic AAA Division.
What is an Independent Winterguard?
An independent winterguard competes separately from scholastic groups. School-based groups are sponsored by their schools' marching band, arts program, or general activity funds and do not have to pay for their rehearsal facilities. We are truly an independent organization, although we do rehearse at some local schools in the Birmingham/Gadsden area that are kind enough to offer us space for rehearsals. As an independent organization, we pay for everything that is not donated to us.
How old do you have to be to join?
Members of Panteras Independent are young men and women between the ages of 14 and 22 years old. If you are in that age range and you are interested in performing, feel free to contact us for information about our program!
I don't have a lot of experience, can I still join?
Most of our members have experience with "younger guards": Regional A, AAA, AA classes. We will train you in "Panteras-technique" so that you can be successful with your responsibilities in the guard!
Can I be in school or work and still perform with Panteras Independent?
ABSOLUTELY! Almost all of our members are full time students or have jobs. Some of them do both! We recommend that you take your Panteras Independent schedule to work and or school to see if there might be any conflicts. You will find that most of the time, things can be worked out. If you find that there is a conflict that cannot be worked out, speak with us about it and we will see what can be worked out. Unlike most Independent Guards, we are concerned that you have time to maintain your school or work activities/duties.
We do everything on our end to make sure that you have that time, but that means you have to plan and do your part! Make sure you are caught up on all your school work before you come to rehearsal. If you find that you have a lot of conflicts between rehearsals/performances and school or work, you may need to reconsider joining Panteras Independent.
How often does Panteras Independent rehearse?
Usually, we rehearse only on weekends. This is generally Friday evenings for about 4 hours, all day on Saturdays, and Sunday for about 6 hours. In extremely rare circumstances, we may extend rehearsal hours before a big competition. During "Camp" week ( Dec 27, 10 – Dec 31, 10), we will rehearse 8 - 10 hours per day.
How much does it cost to perform with your group?
Performer fees are $800, these fees are based on the cost of running the organization, which varies based on the cost of props, costumes, rehearsal facilities, competition fees, the number of members we have, and our other costs to run the program that season.
Most of our staff do NOT get paid for their work.
We always say, "Do Not Let Worrying About Money Stop You From Participating!" We will offer fundraising opportunities throughout the year including candle sales, and car washes. We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE getting donations/sponsorships from local businesses, friends and family, or fans of the activity. Sponsorship forms can be found in the "Forms" section of this website.
Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble is an Independent A Class winter guard founded in 1993 as Pell City High School Winter Guard in Pell City, Alabama. In 2007, Pell City High School Winter Guard was renamed Panteras Winter Guard, remaining with Pell City High School until it became an independent organization in the fall of 2009. That year it entered into the Regional A (Independent B) Division of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit under it's present name. * In the fall of 2010, Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble moved into the Independent A Division of SCGC and entered into a formal agreement to merge with Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, Georgia.
Panteras Independent Performance Ensemble prides itself as a youth education, performing-arts organization dedicated to the development of self-esteem and self-reliance of adolescents. It encourages team work, sportsmanship, civic pride and contributions of one's personal best to a group effort through a musical- and performance-focused activity in which there is a blending of the arts and athletics.
*Pell City High School regrouped under the name Pell City High School Winter Guard in 2009 and currently competes in the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Scholastic AAA Division.
What is an Independent Winterguard?
An independent winterguard competes separately from scholastic groups. School-based groups are sponsored by their schools' marching band, arts program, or general activity funds and do not have to pay for their rehearsal facilities. We are truly an independent organization, although we do rehearse at some local schools in the Birmingham/Gadsden area that are kind enough to offer us space for rehearsals. As an independent organization, we pay for everything that is not donated to us.
How old do you have to be to join?
Members of Panteras Independent are young men and women between the ages of 14 and 22 years old. If you are in that age range and you are interested in performing, feel free to contact us for information about our program!
I don't have a lot of experience, can I still join?
Most of our members have experience with "younger guards": Regional A, AAA, AA classes. We will train you in "Panteras-technique" so that you can be successful with your responsibilities in the guard!
Can I be in school or work and still perform with Panteras Independent?
ABSOLUTELY! Almost all of our members are full time students or have jobs. Some of them do both! We recommend that you take your Panteras Independent schedule to work and or school to see if there might be any conflicts. You will find that most of the time, things can be worked out. If you find that there is a conflict that cannot be worked out, speak with us about it and we will see what can be worked out. Unlike most Independent Guards, we are concerned that you have time to maintain your school or work activities/duties.
We do everything on our end to make sure that you have that time, but that means you have to plan and do your part! Make sure you are caught up on all your school work before you come to rehearsal. If you find that you have a lot of conflicts between rehearsals/performances and school or work, you may need to reconsider joining Panteras Independent.
How often does Panteras Independent rehearse?
Usually, we rehearse only on weekends. This is generally Friday evenings for about 4 hours, all day on Saturdays, and Sunday for about 6 hours. In extremely rare circumstances, we may extend rehearsal hours before a big competition. During "Camp" week ( Dec 27, 10 – Dec 31, 10), we will rehearse 8 - 10 hours per day.
How much does it cost to perform with your group?
Performer fees are $800, these fees are based on the cost of running the organization, which varies based on the cost of props, costumes, rehearsal facilities, competition fees, the number of members we have, and our other costs to run the program that season.
Most of our staff do NOT get paid for their work.
We always say, "Do Not Let Worrying About Money Stop You From Participating!" We will offer fundraising opportunities throughout the year including candle sales, and car washes. We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE getting donations/sponsorships from local businesses, friends and family, or fans of the activity. Sponsorship forms can be found in the "Forms" section of this website.
