Farmer Focus: Senior Carlos Villatoro

“That tall person dancing on the field is me”

This+year+we+have+a+lot+more+elaborate+choreography+that+forces+us+to+become+the+show%2C+and+to+give+that+pop+of+life+which+makes+guard+great.

Jharin Hemphill

“This year we have a lot more elaborate choreography that forces us to become the show, and to give that pop of life which makes guard great.”

This week’s Farmer Focus is on senior Carlos Villatoro who is a color guard member for the marching band, and also a tuba player for the symphonic winds band.

SNAPSHOTS

Playing an instrument or dancing: Dancing

Bacon or sausage: Sausage

Music or movies: Movies with good music

Wi-Fi or food: Wi-Fi so I can order food

Looks or personality: Personality

ZOOMING IN

Q: What made you want to do color guard?

A: “I was already with the guard on the marching field and I just wanted to see what the heck it actually was, so I started with winter guard.”

Q: Would you do guard outside of high school?

A: “Yes, I plan on doing Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International.”

Q: What are your thoughts on this years guard work in the marching band show?

A: “This year we have a lot more elaborate choreography that forces us to become the show, and to give that pop of life which makes guard great. It also forces us to get involved with the music and expressing that with everything we do, and I’m still excited we get to spin lighting bolts.”

Q: Would you ever go back to marching tuba?

A: “No, it’s just boring now that I’m with guard. I also had a back injury last march so I can’t really carry all that weight on my shoulder. I like being able to say ‘Hey, yeah, that tall person dancing on the field is me.’ I like that attention.”

Q: Tell me a struggle that comes with being in guard?

A: “Long hours and long rehearsals. Frustration comes so quickly. You have to constantly be thinking when you’re performing, [and] constantly interact with everyone else around you in order to make everything flow smoothly. [You have to] be articulate with every single move of your hand, every jump, every toss. Nothing can be left to chance. Everything has to be drilled and redrilled because it’s usually changed…and usually as in always.”

Q: What’s it like being in the guard section versus being in the tuba section?

A: “Well I went from a group of all boys to all girls. So yes, there’s a lot of situations that are common when a group of girls are together that I just distance myself from. I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m just going to spin in the corner while they deal with whatever that is.’ I do miss my tuba’s, but I can’t really spin a sousaphone.”

Q: Being your last year, what advice would you have for anyone wanting to join guard or band in general?

A: “Joining band is tricky especially if you don’t have that middle school foundation, but it’s something that can be accomplished if you work hard. Join guard. The program gets overlooked so much, but it’s a beautiful performance art. Picking up the basics is tedious but it’s nice, and honestly that goes for anything you want to do. Surround yourself with good people that support you and enjoy what you do. Especially if you’re paying for it.”

Q: What are you most excited about after high school?

A: “I’m so excited to leave Lewisville. I just want to get out of the metroplex, see what the world has to offer, and make a name for myself. Even if it’s a small name, [it’s] a name nontheless.”