Name, hometown, corps, school, extracurricular activities: My Name is Andrew Parker and my hometown is Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and I am a part of Fusion. I attend the University of Calgary and I am involved in outside music ensemble within the University. What is your role in the corps this summer? My role this summer for Fusion is drum major.

Andrew Parker
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background, and how each position prepared you for the leadership role you're in this summer. I have been with Allegiance Elite for five years, and I will spend my sixth season with Fusion, the combination of the Edmonton Strutters and Allegiance Elite. I have gone through the ranks of drum corps from a green-horned rookie to baritone section leader for my last two years in the horn line. It has given me some experience in being responsible for the productivity of the section and making sure everyone was on the same page. Trying to make my section the best in the horn line was always my goal, and in my opinion, they were the best section. The last good book I read: The last book I read which was excellent was "Motherless Brooklyn" by Jonathan Lethem. The last great film I saw: The last great movie I saw was "Donnie Brasco" with Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: If I had to choose three CDs to have a deserted island, they would have to be "O" by Damien Rice, "Fight For Your Mind" by Ben Harper and "White Ladder" by David Gray. My favorite TV show: My Favorite TV show would be "The Simpsons" Favorite performers: My favorite performers would have to be the members of "Stomp" and the members of "Blast!" How do you "blow off steam?" I blow off steam by practicing for my lessons or playing basketball and squash. Why I march with the corps I am in: I march with this corps because I feel that it gives me more practice and gives my experience in an ensemble setting. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? It was always a goal to be in a leadership role, and it is great that I get to fulfill that as drum major. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? In terms of being a friend and drum major, I will leave whatever happens on the field, on the field. Making sure that I help setting a fun mood for practice and carry that through, no matter what kind of day I am having, is also a goal. Best drum corps show ever: Best show ever is an extremely hard question, but if I have to choose, it would be the 1995 Cavaliers, "The Planets." What are you most looking forward to about the summer? The one thing I am looking forward to is the first time I am on the podium in front of the crowd on the first show of the year, and the first time I turn around after the first show with my adrenalin at an all-time high. Best thing about being a drum corps leader: The best thing about being a leader is that everyone looks up to you and hopefully respects you. Worst thing about being a drum corps leader: The worst thing would be if something goes wrong, you're the first name that comes up. But bring it on! During tour, the best part of the day is:The best part of the day on tour would be the four-hour block right after dinner until sunset, where it is not too hot and hot too cold, and the sunsets I find in the States are gorgeous. The worst part of tour is: The worst part would be the evening after finals, when I realize that I have to go back to the real world. Favorite drum corps personality: My favorite DCI personality is Steve Rondinaro. What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? When my career in drum corps is over, I am going to finish my degree in music education to become a teacher, and hopefully go into graduate school.