The thrill to perform comes almost immediately in corps. You spend so much time in the beginning of the summer learning drill you become overly anxious to get onto the field and show the audience what you have. Once you get the first crowd response, you feed off of it and crave more and more of it each night.

Kristin Kray
I remember in 2002 walking onto the field at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver. Pioneer was hyping being the first corps to perform in the new stadium. I remember looking at the audience in our opening set and seeing the anticipation in their eyes, just wondering what was going to happen next. At the end of the show, I can still see the people in the stands standing up and applauding for the show that we had done. Being able to look into the stands and see a standing ovation is one of the greatest moments you will ever experience while marching corps. Moments when you accomplish the goals you have set for yourself and for the corps also induce great feelings. Drum corps emotions come quick, and many come at the same time. They can range anywhere from feeling homesick and excited to perform to not wanting to go home and being upset you can't perform the show just one more time. Drum corps is a funny thing. You don't know what to expect from day to day. Sometimes we would count the days in between each bus breakdown. The longer we went without having one, the better. Once you get into this great activity, you only crave it more and more. There's no way to escape it. You're in it for life regardless if you're a member of a corps, staff or just a spectator in the stands you will always be a part of you within the activity. You put so much blood, sweat, and tears into three months worth of work that you seem to amaze yourself that you are still alive. Your parents are amazed you are still alive, especially after they see your farmer's tan, newly defined abs, new muscles and weightloss.

Drum corps is a great activity no matter what way you look at it. I know I have grown as a person since I saw my first show in Orlando in 1999. But I knew I grew even more after my first summer marching in 2001. Enjoy the summers you are able to march. They are too few and precious. I know it's audition time for all corps. I just want to wish all of you auditioning the best of luck where ever you are going! I've been lacking the e-mail lately so e-mail me sometime! Piosfloridian@aol.com.