Blue Devils C Winter Guard is a beginning-level experience that combines music, dance, and props into a theatrical production performed in a gymnasium. No Experience Required. Ages 8–14.
Recent Honors
- "Most Entertaining Guard" – 2013, 2016 California Circuit Championships
- 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2017 California Circuit Champions
- 2002 WGI West Regional Regional Class A Champions
History
BD Performing Arts began in 1957 when the Concord branch of the V.F.W. acquired the Martinettes (an 50-member all-boy drum corps and all-girl drill team) and founded the Blue Devils – named "Blue" for the V.F.W. color and "Devils" after Concord's local landmark, Mt. Diablo. Read the full history of BDPA.
In 1958, the Blue Devils spun the Majorettes (baton twirlers) off as an independent unit of the organization named Twirlers. By 1965, with Erlene Shaffer as manager, the Twirlers fielded a group of twelve members to compete in field shows and parades.
The organization's first California Color Guard Circuit championship was won by the Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard in 1971. This group then moved up from the B classification to the A class and a younger B unit was formed. Both the A and B Winter Guards dominated the local circuit throughout the 70s and early 80s. Younger guards were formed in the late 80s, and have met with consistent local success, while the older Guard advanced to national prominence.
The Twirling Corps continued to grow after their first trip to the National Championship in 1974. They won their first National Championship in 1977 and went on to win six National Corps titles and twelve National Team titles, the most recent one in 1997. The Twirlers were gold medalists at the U.S. Trials in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1986. They went on to compete in the World Championships in those years, and won two back-to-back World titles in 1983 and 1984.
The Blue Devils World Winter Guard performed at the Winter Guard International Championships from 1988 through 1992 and emerged as one of the most talked about and respected units in competition. The Blue Devils' return to the WGI arena in 1995 was marked by the first of their four consecutive World Class Championships. The Blue Devils Winter Guard currently holds the Winter Guard International record high score of 99.45, earned at their 1996 championship performance.