A father and son walk by the Wareham Middle School gym, and the son asks his father what’s going on.

“That’s the dance team practice,” the father replied.

While the mistake can easily be made, it was actually the Wareham indoor color guard practicing in the gym on Feb. 20.

The guard was performing its parent preview. It’s the final performance before the show is taken into competition at Dartmouth High School on Feb. 22.

“I know I’m going to be a wreck because I was a wreck last night, crying, ‘this is my last parent show,’” captain Brianna Morin said. “It’s good to have that emotion because we can then put that emotion into the show.”

This year’s show is called "Tornado," which depicts a relationship falling apart.

Dance has become a crucial element of modern color guard, but there is also an importance on timing and equipment work. These elements make up a judged show.

The show includes the song "Tornado" by Jónsi, and is designed by director Michelle Marshall, who came up with the concept.

“A friend played this song for me because I said I wanted something pretty but different,” Marshall said. “She played the song, and I fell in love with it. It happened just like that.”

Much work went into making the concept into a show.

“I think we have put in 23 hours of work in the last three days,” sophomore Cameron Decas said.

The guard normally practices three times a week for five hours each practice.

“We have been working really hard,” Decas added.

Decas has a featured toss in the show that requires a behind-the-back grab, which is as difficult as it sounds despite Decas making it look effortless.

“We added that in probably 20 minutes before we preformed tonight,” Marshall said.

“I’m very honored to have a featured part in the show, and I’m excited because I love the rifle with the tosses,” Decas said.

Decas has been with the guard for three years, and spun rifle for two.

The guard is led by three captains, Morin, Megan Monty and Rachel Freeman, who have been on the guard for five years.

“They’re a strong group,” Marshall said.

Last year, the guard had 24 members, but this year that number dropped to 16. This was attributed to graduating seniors and others leaving for various sports. 16 is an average size for a guard, though.