MARCHING.COM: Dutch world class guard champion Beatrix' headed to Dayton

Anne Frank production resonates beyond borders

Beatrix' Winterguard is presenting the emotional story of Anne Frank in 2011.

HILVERSUM, NL, March 29, 2011 — Fresh from a ground-breaking win on Saturday night in the Color Guard Netherlands (CGN) championships, Beatrix' Winterguard is riding a wave of momentum with its 2011 production "Anne Frank."

The win is significant, because this is the first year guards have competed in World class at the CGN championships. In past years Beatrix has performed in Open class.

Even without this competitive success, the 2011 show is especially meaningful for Beatrix' members. The reality of Anne Frank's story unfolded at her hiding place in Amsterdam, just 20 miles from Beatrix' hometown of Hilversum. The story has a universal impact and is certain to touch audiences in the U.S. when the guard performs next at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.

The emotion of the show has propelled the guard all season, according to Beatrix' communications director Jeroen Ten Brinke.

"There was a standing ovation even before the members were on the floor," Ten Brinke said. "The audience and the members did not manage to keep their tears in."

Beatrix' is the first champion in the new World Class at Color Guard Netherlands.

Beatrix' is the first champion in the new World Class at Color Guard Netherlands.

Ten Brinke pointed to reviews and comments posted on the Color Guard Netherlands forum as examples of the impact the show is having on viewers.

"Superlatives cannot describe what Beatrix' did this season. Quiet as the wind one moment, followed by deafening waves of applause. The Anne Frank show from Hilversum has written history and became the first ever CGN World Class Champion. On to Dayton!"

"Beatrix' made a big statement and won the World Class, bringing the more than 2,500 people in the hall to tears."

A total of 49 guards competed in seven classes of competition during the CGN championships, which were held at the Indoor Sports Centre in Eindhoven. There were also eight percussion ensembles competing in the event. Full results are available at www.Colorguard.org.

At the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Beatrix' will compete in Independent World class with a prelims performance in Nutter Center at 6:20 PM on Thursday, April 7. Beatrix' last performed in Dayton in 2009, when the guard earned a spot as a finalist in the Independent Open class.

Complete schedules and results of the WGI World Championships are available at wgi.org.

Source material and images courtesy of Beatrix' Drum & Bugle Corps.

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Dutch world class guard champion Beatrix' headed to Dayton