Les Roses Color Guard

Les Roses Color Guard (previously known as Liberty Bell Color Guard) is a Division I independent color guard based in the City of Barcelona, Catalonia. It operates under Llibertat Marching Arts, an organization that runs groups in all FMA circuits. Les Roses is a current member of the League of Gentlemanly Color Guards (LGCG). Due to it being one of few corps based in Europe, they are able to take recruits from all around the EU.

## General History

First founded in season 41, Les Roses is one of the older currently operating groups in the FMA circuit. Les Roses inaugural season was moderately successful, scoring a 59.710 with their show "Stardust. Their performance was able to land the group 40th place in Division III at FMA semifinals. The following season, season 42, would be another step forward with their program "Shocker", which was based on the concept of electricity. The program would land them 24th place at Division III semifinals, with a score of 64.035. It is here, similar to other groups under Llibertat Marching Arts, where Les Roses ran into financial struggles. The group, which was based in Moscow, Russia at the time, was having difficulty funding the amount of travel needed to perform in the FMA circuit at the time. The group resorted to performing locally for a majority of seasons between season 43 and season 114. During the time, the highest the Les Roses placed in the FMA circuit was during season 72, where the group placed 6th in division III with their program based on the music of ExileLord.

The group remained in Moscow, Russia until season 102. Following the breakout of war between Russia and Ukraine, the group was not able to continue functioning. Much of Llibertat's leadership would leave Russia and eventually find themselves living in the State of Catalonia, more specifically the city of Barcelona. The groups previously under Llibertat began to reform and caught the attention of Barcelona city officials. Funding was provided to Llibertat, which allowed them to make their first competitive appearance in many years,

Season 114 was a season of substantial improvement for Les Roses. Due to the increased funding, Les Roses were able to pay a very talented design team, as well as provide members with a substantial amount of training compared to previous seasons. Additionally, their more central location allowed Les Roses to gain members from all over the EU, as well as parts of northern Africa. Les Roses also received and invitation to join the League of Gentlemanly Color Guards slightly before the season began, which made members even more eager to compete. These effects was seen immediately at their first performance of the season, the Gentlemanly Season Kickoff, in which the group beat their previous all time high with a score of 69.195. This success continued and Les Roses program, *An Inventors Passion,* would be cemented in FMA Division III color guard history. With a score of 91.120, Les Roses became one of only 8 Division III groups to pass the 90 point barrier, and placing Les Roses at 3rd in all-time Div III color guard.

Following the success of season 114, Les Roses was promoted of Division II in the FMA color guard circuit. Les Roses also continued to receive addition funding, which allowed them to put more focus into their show design. The groups announced their season 115 program, *To Danse with Death,* on August 8th, 2023. The program was based on the idea of dancing with the concept of death in everyday life, and trying to make light of the fact the death is inevitable. The group would go onto break their score record again, scoring a 95.955 and breaking the 95 point barrier for the first time. This marked yet another undefeated season for Les Roses, with them receiving their first Div II gold medal. Les Roses would all place 9th among all divisions with this score.

Les Roses would remain in Division II for season 116, with their program entitles *Love in the Air*, which aims to display what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. The program features music from Laufey, a newly popular jazz-adjacent singer, as well as music from the animated show *RWBY*. This program would end up breaking their score record for the 3rd season in a row, with a score of 96.610. This score would award Les Roses with their second Div II Color Guard Medal. They would also place 9th out of all active color guards in season 117, repeating the placement from season 115.

Following their second Div II gold medal, Les Roses were invited to participate in Div I color guard for season 117. Les Roses were 1 of 3 groups under Llibertat Performing Arts to be promoted from Div II to Div I for season 117, joining Castania Outdoor Performance Ensemble and Piedra Del Sol. Their season 117 program was entitled *Nothing Gold Can Stay*, and is based on the idea that one should savor that good things in life. It featured the famous poem by Robert Frost by the same name. Les Roses would achieve their goal of making division I finals in season 117, placing 9th overall. They would also break their scoring record, scoring a 97.845.

Les Roses would retain their division I spot in season 118. Their program *A Night In Tokyo* features music from Japan in the 1980's and aimed to evoke the feeling of being in a country that is developing into a technological powerhouse. Les Roses would achieve a record high score of 98.485, placing 9th at Division I finals.

Les Roses season 119 program is entitled *In a Field of Flowers*.

### Name History

The group adopted the name "Les Roses Color Guard" following season 116. Previously the group performed under the name Liberty Bell Color Guard . The name was chosen based on a common flower found in the city of Barcelona, the rose. The name was chosen because of the association with the city, as well as the performances of Les Roses being call "as beautiful as a rose".

## Gallery of Previous Show Posters

Les Roses s115 Program, "To Danse With Death"Les Roses season 116 program "Love in the Air"Les Roses season 117 program "Nothing Gold Can Stay"Les Roses Season 118 Program "A Night In Tokyo"