Irish musician and podcaster Keith Kelly took the reins of the Field Pass podcast this summer in his special-edition series, “Finding Drum Corps.”
Kelly, who just a few years ago was a complete outsider and uninitiated to Drum Corps International, used the series to give a fresh take on what it is that attracts people worldwide to the drum corps activity and turns them into avid participants and fans.
As the series came to a close this August, Field Pass host Dan Potter caught up with Kelly to talk about the reaction to the podcast.
Series Episodes
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1. Origin stories
In Episode 1, Keith talks through his introduction to the drum corps activity and learns more about the drum corps origin stories of a number of notable personalities.
Special guests include: Santa Clara Vanguard brass caption head Mark Nichols, Inbhear Mór Performance Ensemble director Oisin Molloy, DCI senior director of global business development John DeNovi, former Bluecoats executive director David Glasgow, DCI CEO Dan Acheson, Blue Devils brass caption head and arranger John Meehan, and former Blue Knights member and podcast co-producer Mallory Anderson.
2. Those who have come before
In Episode 2, Keith has an eye on the past to better understand the future, tracing the history of the drum corps activity from before the founding of Drum Corps International through changes and developments that have shaped the way we experience marching music performances today.
Special guests include: DCI CEO Dan Acheson, DCI Hall of Fame member Michael Cesario, Marching Arts Education podcaster Tim Hinton, DCI judge administrator John Phillips, and former Blue Knights member and podcast co-producer Mallory Anderson.
3. What it takes
What is it about the drum corps experience that drives young people around the world to dedicate their lives to a moment, that while fleeting, will endure in memories for years to come? In Episode 3, Keith looks at what makes a great performer or performance.
Special guests include: Marching Arts Education podcaster Tim Hinton, Crossmen drum major Lydia Marshall, Santa Clara Vanguard brass caption head Mark Nichols, former Boston Crusaders drum major Thompson Vou, Bluecoats drum major Payton Grunzke, and former Blue Knights member and podcast co-producer Mallory Anderson.
4. The show on the road
After months of preparation practice and planning, it’s time to take the show on the road! In Episode 4, Keith looks at what it takes to put a drum corps on the road and what that experience is like for performing corps members who travel thousands of miles across the country on their annual summer tour.
Special guests include: DCI senior director of global business development John DeNovi, Madison Scouts alum Austin Armstrong, Blue Devils director Pat Seidling, former Boston Crusaders drum major Thompson Vou, and former Blue Knights member and podcast co-producer Mallory Anderson.
5. The contest
In Episode 5, Keith explores the competitive side of Drum Corps International from both the perspective of judges and of fans.
Special guests include: DCI judge administrator John Phillips, Santa Clara Vanguard brass caption head Marc Nichols, Bluecoats alum John Weldy, Marching Arts Education podcaster Tim Hinton, DCI CEO Dan Acheson, and former Blue Knights member and Finding Drum Corps co-producer Mallory Anderson.
6. The "I" in DCI
In Episode 6, Keith explores the drum corps activity as it exists outside of the United States and how ensembles around the world are inspired by DCI and its corps.
Special guests include: Chair of Marching & Performing Arts UK Alan Thompson, Inbhear Mór Performance Ensemble director Oisin Molloy, Brazilian band director Leandro Pascui, Calgary Stampede manager of bands Ryan Hancock, Jubal director Hans Kloppert, Beeches Performance Ensemble director Andrew Dallison, DCI senior director of global business development John DeNovi, and former Blue Knights member and Finding Drum Corps co-producer Mallory Anderson.
7. Finals
The drum corps season is a crescendo that ends in a truly magnificent display of talent and skill each August. It's DCI Finals Week, and in Episode 7 Keith turns his gaze to Lucas Oil Stadium to explore the season-ending events of the DCI Summer Tour.
Special guests include: Santa Clara Vanguard brass caption head Nark Nichols, Bluecoats drum major Peyton Grunzke, Blue Devils brass arranger John Meehan, DCI CEO Dan Acheson, DCI Judge Administrator John Phillips, Old Bridge Elementary Drumline director Colin Bell, Crossmen drum major Lydia Marshall, and former Blue Knights member and Finding Drum Corps co-producer Mallory Anderson.