Name, age: Adrian Caswell, 21
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? The Cadets, trumpet player and horn sergeant.
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I've marched in The Cadets since 2001. Before that, I didn't even know corps existed.
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I saw the Cadets in 2000 at my first drum corps show. The next fall my friend was heading up to Dallas to audition for the Cadets and asked if I wanted to come. I went because I thought it would be a great experience, and I used to live there, so why not go and visit some of my old friends? That turned out to be the best decision I've ever made.
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I saw the PBS broadcast while flipping channels and said, "Wow, these marching bands are awesome!"
What advice would you give to young people who want to march? If there's something you want bad enough, you can do it. The biggest difference between you and a corps member is that they've done it before. That's it. Drum corps is a wonderful experience and something that everyone can do. You deserve to treat yourself to an extremely rewarding summer. The last good book I read: "Maggie, a Girl of the Streets" The last great film I saw: "The Lord of The Rings" Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I'm a music studies major at The University of Texas, our way of saying music ed. Jobs I have/have had: I used to be an Abercrombie and Fitch merchandise rep. I'm also a marching tech at Westlake High School. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Mahler, "Symphony No. 2," Arturo Sandoval mix, Radiohead's "Amnesiac."
My favorite TV show: "The Apprentice." I'm a huge reality TV fan.
Favorite performers: Michael Jackson from the 80's, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Tower of Power
How do you "blow off steam?" Relax to some tunes What has been your formative drum corps moment? My rookie year during spring training I called home on the second day for a plane ticket home. I decided to quit and told a couple of people. I was convinced to think it over. That night after rehearsal, the horn line got together and Joe Fussel, the baritone tech, said we would need another trumpet. I butted in and said I was in and we sang "Cadillac of the Skies." The next day all staff and the members showed so much support and I realized how much of a family I had away from home. Ever since that day, I've never had another glimpse of quitting.
Every moment has been life changing from then on. Best drum corps show ever: Cadets 2000. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Making the most out of my age-out year. Best thing about being in a drum corps: Waking up in the morning knowing I'm doing what I love. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Being away from my girlfriend Jenny for three months. During tour, the best part of the day is: Food, and tons of it! During tour, the worst part of the day is: Rainy days! Favorite drum corps personality and why: George Hopkins. He really is a personality, but to me he's on of the most caring and hardest working men I've ever met.
What I want to be when I "grow up": A high school band director. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. Age limit is increased to 70. Drum, bugle, woodwind and electronic drumline corps. For real, I'm looking forward to seeing the performance level in 2015 and what paths individual corps take themselves.
Adrian Caswell
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I saw the Cadets in 2000 at my first drum corps show. The next fall my friend was heading up to Dallas to audition for the Cadets and asked if I wanted to come. I went because I thought it would be a great experience, and I used to live there, so why not go and visit some of my old friends? That turned out to be the best decision I've ever made.
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I saw the PBS broadcast while flipping channels and said, "Wow, these marching bands are awesome!"
What advice would you give to young people who want to march? If there's something you want bad enough, you can do it. The biggest difference between you and a corps member is that they've done it before. That's it. Drum corps is a wonderful experience and something that everyone can do. You deserve to treat yourself to an extremely rewarding summer. The last good book I read: "Maggie, a Girl of the Streets" The last great film I saw: "The Lord of The Rings" Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I'm a music studies major at The University of Texas, our way of saying music ed. Jobs I have/have had: I used to be an Abercrombie and Fitch merchandise rep. I'm also a marching tech at Westlake High School. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Mahler, "Symphony No. 2," Arturo Sandoval mix, Radiohead's "Amnesiac."
My favorite TV show: "The Apprentice." I'm a huge reality TV fan.
Favorite performers: Michael Jackson from the 80's, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Tower of Power
How do you "blow off steam?" Relax to some tunes What has been your formative drum corps moment? My rookie year during spring training I called home on the second day for a plane ticket home. I decided to quit and told a couple of people. I was convinced to think it over. That night after rehearsal, the horn line got together and Joe Fussel, the baritone tech, said we would need another trumpet. I butted in and said I was in and we sang "Cadillac of the Skies." The next day all staff and the members showed so much support and I realized how much of a family I had away from home. Ever since that day, I've never had another glimpse of quitting.
Every moment has been life changing from then on. Best drum corps show ever: Cadets 2000. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Making the most out of my age-out year. Best thing about being in a drum corps: Waking up in the morning knowing I'm doing what I love. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Being away from my girlfriend Jenny for three months. During tour, the best part of the day is: Food, and tons of it! During tour, the worst part of the day is: Rainy days! Favorite drum corps personality and why: George Hopkins. He really is a personality, but to me he's on of the most caring and hardest working men I've ever met.
What I want to be when I "grow up": A high school band director. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. Age limit is increased to 70. Drum, bugle, woodwind and electronic drumline corps. For real, I'm looking forward to seeing the performance level in 2015 and what paths individual corps take themselves.