BY EMILY TREASURE

Ayala (CA), BOA Utah's champion, claimed the awards for Outstanding Visual Performance, Outstanding General Effect, and tied for Outstanding Music Performance with the runner-up, American Fork (UT).

Their 2018 production, “Inevitable,” sets the tone with a fast-paced solo, while large props disguise the band and a majority of the color guard. Guard members are slowly revealed, as the props glide across the field and change color. The opener solo continues, and suddenly, the entire band appears on the field in a stunning visual display with their bright white uniforms against the green turf. The first of one of the large central props is opened, almost like a large flower or egg, revealing yet another guard member inside.

As the band transitions into chaos, the guard tosses and moves with the large white "orb" props. The flag-work and weapons are so clean, who knows what they’ll bring to the upcoming season of WGI. No newcomer to award-winning guards, we can see the expertise of Mario Ramirez, guard caption head and also director of Diamante, on the field. 

In the lot, their uniforms, a fun contrast of white lace and opalescent hues and luminescent makeup transform the guard members into something otherworldly. When paired with their inspiring skill-level, Ayala’s color guard is truly a tremendous force in the west this year.

The same props that unfolded earlier are now positioned into a makeshift stage drawing all eyes onto a percussion feature. Ayala’s indoor percussion placed fourth this past spring in WGI's Scholastic Marching World, and on Saturday, their lot was reminiscent of a Saturday night in April in Dayton. A highly anticipated feature, Ayala’s battery did not let down. They are nothing less than impressive, constantly redefining the standard for high school percussion ensembles.

All throughout “Inevitable”, it seems the band has hardly stopped playing once. They often cover the full expanse of the field, continuously playing familiar yet complicated classical pieces.

As the props change color once more towards the closer, we are brought full circle in nature’s color spectrum. A single vocal at the end rings out, “Goodbye winter,” confirming the cyclical journey. Such as change is inevitable, Ayala’s future successes seem to be as well.