Unexpected ESPN2 Surprise

As most of you know, I was a “band nerd” growing up in Junior High all the way through college at MSU. Some of my favorite memories growing up were around the marching band field or specifically, Drum Corps International. I had several friends who went on to be in some of the top corps or Division I corps. One friends was in the Madison Scouts, another started in the Phantom Regiment and then later on in the Blue Devils, and another was in the Cavaliers. I really wished I could have been in the Drum Corps, but it is only “bugles” and don’t have trombones or woodwinds. My friend Mac and I went to KC two years in a row to the World Championships in Arrowhead Stadium “back in the day.” Every so often, they come here to Springfield during the summer. It is really a lot of fun to check out their hard work and talents on display.

It was a tradition with several of my friends that we would get together on Labor Day and watch the DCI World Championships on PBS. I haven’t seen it for several years, but was looking for it this Labor Day and didn’t see anything on PBS. The reason, it has “grown up” and become an official “sport” and was on tonight on ESPN2. There is a part of me that really misses that whole scene of being a part of a musical group that you are depending on every person to succeed. I can still remember walking on the practice field at SMSU when I was a freshman and the band played a B flat concert scale and I began weeping because of the huge wall of sound. There is something about having over 300 people playing together that is really special.

I know, I know . . . let it go man! You’re 34 years old! But I love watching those kids work so hard over the entire summer to play music and entertain people all across the country. If you haven’t been to one of these competitions, they are quite the pageant. One of my favorite times is when the Corps is getting ready to play and face backfield and “warm up.” I love everything about it . . . the drum cadence, the drum major leading the band, the drum line, the big “company front” at the end!! I know . . . I am a total band nerd! Once a band nerd, always a band nerd.