Welcome to the first issue of our new quarterly magazine for prospective members, friends and fans of the Golden Delight Auxiliary. In this issue, you will find some helpful information about the 2010 auditions as well as a look back over Season 2009. This is one of many new and exciting things that are planned for the ensemble in the years to come. A new decade to us means the opportunity to continue to cultivate the performance standards, image and overall direction of Golden Delight. The versatile auxiliary was a foreign concept only a few short years ago, - now it is a well respected genre of performance in HBCU bands. Expect the staff and women of Golden Delight to take the unit to even greater heights through creative choreography, trendsetting uniforms, and dynamic showmanship. We thank you for your continued support. For prospective members, come prepared to have the experience of a lifetime! We work hard, laugh hard and perform harder.
One interesting thing about Golden Delight is that we rarely recycle features throughout the season. We try to do a new routine and wear a new uniform for each game and indoor Battle of the Bands. This means that squad members must learn fast and have a great work ethic. However, it also means lots of creativity and fun! This article highlights some of the features from the 2009 season!!!
Radar by Britney Spears featured an opening circle stunt sequence and ending with a kick line that splits off to the ending jump.
The season began with a dance feature to a medley of Prince songs including When Doves Cry, Soft and Wet and 1999. The feature starts off with an energetic and visual intro and includes technique and the signature GD kick line found in all routines.
Field shows begin with a fanfare and drill, then highlight a dance feature. After these ladies dance, the execute visual and entertaining twirling routines. Season 2009 routines were “You Put A Move on My Heart”, “Kissing You” and “Turn Off the Lights.”
The annual Band Brawl event held between the NC A&T Blue & Gold Marching Machine and the NSU Spartan Legion is a fan favorite. Each year the Delights create a theme and take spectators to a different world! This season Spartan Toys issued a recall on their Hot Ice doll for being defective. In light of that announcement, toy giant MATTELL released their 2009 Golden Glam Barbie. Ladies danced off of Glamorous Life by Fergie and Glamorous Life by Sheila E. (left) At the Norfolk vs. A&T game, Golden Delight did a eature to Beyonce’ Sweet Dreams. The theme was Futuristic. Delights used uniforms and theatrical movements to tell the story.
(left) Homecoming is always a big deal in Aggieland. The squad did a never done before routine using chairs. Squad members flipped over chairs, executed technical movements and wowed the crowd!
We are always looking to set the standard and do things never seen before. This year, the squad did just that. Our majorettes have twirled fire batons for years...but this season, our flags Twirled fire and danced with it! Six foot fire sticks were lit on both sides as ladies executed a advanced dance routine with the equipment. Majorettes twirled two fire batons on elevated boxes and also used streamers. Other squad members used fire swing flags to create a Latin Nights theme to remember. Song selection was Lets Get Loud by J.Lo and Oye by Gloria Estefan.
The season ended with a fun, high energy dance routine to Circus by Britney Spears. The Sweethearts went up against MEAC rivals SCSU in an indoor battle. The ladies dressed up as magicians and created a magical circus theme that included a contortionist, lion and lion tamer!
When current squad members were asked if they could give one piece of advice to incoming freshman, they would tell them… “It’s not high school anymore. It is college. That means harder work, harder routines, and a different state of mind…”” From a staff perspective, that couldn’t be more true! It is very important for prospective members to understand that when auditioning for a collegiate level squad, the rules are very different from high school dance teams and flag lines. We want ladies to be as prepared as possible, so we generated this list of tips based on feedback from squad members and staff expectations. Come with you’re A game at all times and do the following:
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Make sure you are fully aware of minimum guidelines and requirements for auditioning. Take full advantage of all clinics, camps and prep class opportunities. At these events, staff gives you important feedback for improvement. Do not assume that because you have experience you are good to go. College routines are fast paced and difficult. Stretch daily. Flexibility is the key to high kicks, great technique and execution of routines.
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Work out at least 3-4 times a week beginning months before auditions. How your body looks is a MAJOR part of auditions. Come to tryouts with a great attitude and be ready to learn. If you have never twirled before, get with someone who has so you have a foundation for the basics. Watch Golden Delight footage. That is a great way to begin to get a feel for the style. Check the website often for announcements and dates.
At the final audition being presented to judges.
Picture from audition photo shoot
Squad members working out during band camp in Aggie Stadium
Keyanda M. Thompson joined the Golden Delight squad in 2006. As a freshman, she worked with majorette advisor Mrs. Tanika to make the transition to a collegiate level twirling squad. She is from Hertford County, North Carolina and did have baton twirling experience when she arrived. Over the years, Keyanda developed into a dynamic twirling and dance performer. She has a sweet spirit and worked exceptionally well with her squad mates. It is for that reason that in 2008, Keyanda answered the call to leadership and became one of three dynamic captains. This season, the squad saw new levels of showmanship and performance excellence. Keyanda also lead the squad to it’s first Honda Battle of the Bands appearance. During her last year, she served as captain again and was known for leading productive rehearsals and creating outstanding choreography. Keyanda is a graduating Journalism/Mass Communication major. She is an active member of the Theta Zeta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc and the Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Thompson has a stellar academic record and has been inducted into honor societies on campus. She is a great leader and an exemplary role model for Delights and young women to follow.
Fans and spectators see the finished product each Saturday. Few know what goes into the performances that take place on a weekly basis. Camp is the time when the squad works to develop a bond and build the skills and abilities of the ladies. Also during this time, we condition our bodies and create the routines for the first half of the season. Creating routines is an enjoyable part of being Golden Delight because there are no rules!! It is that way of thinking that leads to some of the innovative routines done during the season. Band camp runs from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm daily for two weeks. It is an intense period of time and not everyone is cut out for the rigors of a collegiate ensemble. Squad at a band camp stands rehearsal in July 2009.
There are many elements of Golden Delight, - field dance, stands, cadences, marching style & walks, baton twirling, flag twirling and building sisterly relationships. Come behind the scenes with us on a few elements of what we do and get some little known facts about the Delights.
Choreography for dance features is created by the staff and squad members themselves. An important component of the audition process is “original choreography� because the staff has to know that candidates are able to work creatively. Our features focus on use of space and movement, high energy, stunts, technique, funk and of course props!
Squad members must display high energy and demonstrate dynamic showmanship in the stands. The squad has 8 count movements as well as full stand dances and routines for specific songs. The Marching Machine is known for its powerful sound and Musicianship, making performing in the stands a fun and intense experience for the Sweethearts!
The baton twirlers at NC A&T SU are one of a kind. Not only do these ladies serve as feature dancers, but they are advanced level twirlers. Feature twirlers can “freestyle� their routines; twirling with a squad is extremely difficult because movements must be in sync. Our majorettes twirl 2 and 3 batons, fire, knifes and more!
Golden Delight has the most extensive collection of flags, props and equipment of any HBCU squad. Ladies twirl at an intermediate to advanced level and incorporate dance and tricks in their routines. Creativity is the most important part of preparing a twirling routine. These women twirl two ended flags, swing flags, 5 and 6 foot poles, and even FIRE!
The “off-the-field� experiences of our squad members are the most important. From early on, ladies are exposed to development activities and leadership trainings. Rookie members enjoy the benefits of a Big Sister/Little Sister mentorship. Squad members enjoy social outings and activities out of rehearsals. Many of the ladies are roommates! The bond of the squad makes performing together an even greater experience.