Judge on O'Fallon world champion drummer: 'You are insane!'



The Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat reports that Spirit percussionist Arthur "Arty" Johnson Jr. is following in the footsteps of his father, a gold medal winning boxer at the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, after taking gold in the multi-percussion category of the DCI Individual & Ensemble Competition on Aug. 5 in Indianapolis. Johnson, 18, has been playing drums since he was a toddler and is currently a student at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.



Read the article at BND.com.




Lewisburg High student realizes a dream on the march



The Memphis (Tenn.) Commercial Appeal reported on tuba player Jerin Harrison after finishing up his first year as a member of the Cavaliers. Auditioning for the corps last November on the encouragement of his band director, 17-year-old Harrison said that he didn't know what to expect coming into the summer but by the time the World Championships came, "It was a blast." In addition to Harrison, a handful of other local students participated with other corps this summer including the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment and the Troopers.



Read the article at CommercialAppeal.com.




Student heeds distant drummer



The Huntsville (Ala.) Times reported on high school snare drummer Cameron Fish who just finished up his first season marching as a member of Music City in their inaugural year as an Open Class corps. Outside of his drum corps experience, Fish keeps a busy schedule performing as part of his school's marching band and indoor drum line in addition to a rock band he started a few years ago and a contemporary Christian band at his church.



Read the article at AL.com.




Clayton Valley High proves fertile ground for world champion Blue Devils



The Clayton (Calif.) Pioneer reported on eight local students who came home with gold medals after participating as members of the World Champion Blue Devils B this summer. Sixteen-year-old Emily Nunn has been a part of the Blue Devils organization since 2001. Participating in the winter guard program through 2007, she earned a spot with the corps for this season also winning a second gold medal for her solo sabre routine at the World Championship Individual & Ensemble Competition.



Read the article at ClaytonPioneer.com.




Legends Drum and Bugle Corps takes 10th



Legends' hometown Kalamazoo Gazette reported on the corps' 10th place finish at the DCI World Championships on Aug. 8. Starting small and slow, Legends Director Ibe Sodawalla in just a few short years has built the corps into an Open Class finalist. Sodawalla this season was named the Open Class Director of the Year, and Legends was recognized as the most improved corps of 2009. The corps' drum major, Kelly Koch, also was the recipient of the Jim Jones Leadership Award.



Read the article at MLive.com.