Name, hometown, corps: Jake Drissell, St. Charles, Mo., Capital Regiment What is your role in the corps this summer? This summer I am the horn sergeant. I will be the member of the horn line that dresses the arc. I also will be the member that makes sure everyone in the horn line is running on time. I believe that my main job is to give guidance to the members in the horn line whenever they need it. Where do you go to school, and what extracurricular activities are you involved with there? I am currently attending St. Charles Community College, where I am studying music education. I play with all three instrumental groups: Orchestra, jazz band and concert band.
When I went up to Capital Regiment in November of 2001, I had never picked up a valve instrument in my life, and the brass staff was about to cut me, but they gave me time to improve. So I think that I learned a lot from that experience alone. The last great film I saw: "Miracle," it was great. I recommend that everyone go see it. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Beatles' "One," Garth Brooks' "Double Live," Spitalfield's "Cloak and Dagger Club"
My favorite TV show: "The Simpsons" and "That '70s Show" Favorite performers: I love going into the city to listen to the St. Louis symphony. They are amazing, I would love to perform with them someday. How do you "blow off steam"? The way I blow off steam is by playing my trombone. It always helps, because when I hear myself, I think about how far I have come as a musician. That always makes me smile, and makes me relax. Why I march with the corps I am in: I really like the family atmosphere in the corps. I can think of every member as my brother, or sister. I also like how it is a young, growing corps. Not many people can say that they helped build a great organization. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No, I never wanted to be in a leadership position when I started, but I know that I will do a good job. This is because the members in the horn line are great individuals, and they make the leader, not the individual. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I don't see that as a problem. I just have to act like I always do. I just have to make sure that I am always there for my family. What has been your formative drum corps moment? My favorite drum corps moment was in 2002, when the brass staff took us to the beach, and we did horn arc on the beach. That was so much fun, and inspiring. It was a beautiful day out, and the wind was somewhat calm. It was just perfect. Best drum corps show ever: The best show had to have been in 2003 at the BOA summer camp show in Normal, Ill. We performed right before a big storm, and it was so much fun, coming into the field house and hearing all those summer camp kids go crazy for us. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? I am just looking forward to getting out there and performing with my brothers and sisters. Best thing about being a drum corps leader: I will have a bigger impact on individual lives. Hopefully I can affect the lives of some of the members like my old horn sergeant did to me. Worst thing about being a drum corps leader: I have a lot more responsibilities. I will have less time to do my things. During tour, the best part of the day is: The warmup before a show, and the show. During tour, the worst part of the day is: The short amount of time when leaving a housing site. This is the most stressful time. Favorite drum corps personality and why: A good friend of mine named David, a.k.a. Amos. He always can put a smile on your face even when you are in a bad mood. What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? I want to become a high school band teacher, as well as a brass tech with a drum corps. I want to give back to the programs that made me who I am.
Matt Briddell, Jake Drissell, Derrick Braswell and Alex Eickhoff
When I went up to Capital Regiment in November of 2001, I had never picked up a valve instrument in my life, and the brass staff was about to cut me, but they gave me time to improve. So I think that I learned a lot from that experience alone. The last great film I saw: "Miracle," it was great. I recommend that everyone go see it. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Beatles' "One," Garth Brooks' "Double Live," Spitalfield's "Cloak and Dagger Club"
My favorite TV show: "The Simpsons" and "That '70s Show" Favorite performers: I love going into the city to listen to the St. Louis symphony. They are amazing, I would love to perform with them someday. How do you "blow off steam"? The way I blow off steam is by playing my trombone. It always helps, because when I hear myself, I think about how far I have come as a musician. That always makes me smile, and makes me relax. Why I march with the corps I am in: I really like the family atmosphere in the corps. I can think of every member as my brother, or sister. I also like how it is a young, growing corps. Not many people can say that they helped build a great organization. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No, I never wanted to be in a leadership position when I started, but I know that I will do a good job. This is because the members in the horn line are great individuals, and they make the leader, not the individual. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I don't see that as a problem. I just have to act like I always do. I just have to make sure that I am always there for my family. What has been your formative drum corps moment? My favorite drum corps moment was in 2002, when the brass staff took us to the beach, and we did horn arc on the beach. That was so much fun, and inspiring. It was a beautiful day out, and the wind was somewhat calm. It was just perfect. Best drum corps show ever: The best show had to have been in 2003 at the BOA summer camp show in Normal, Ill. We performed right before a big storm, and it was so much fun, coming into the field house and hearing all those summer camp kids go crazy for us. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? I am just looking forward to getting out there and performing with my brothers and sisters. Best thing about being a drum corps leader: I will have a bigger impact on individual lives. Hopefully I can affect the lives of some of the members like my old horn sergeant did to me. Worst thing about being a drum corps leader: I have a lot more responsibilities. I will have less time to do my things. During tour, the best part of the day is: The warmup before a show, and the show. During tour, the worst part of the day is: The short amount of time when leaving a housing site. This is the most stressful time. Favorite drum corps personality and why: A good friend of mine named David, a.k.a. Amos. He always can put a smile on your face even when you are in a bad mood. What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? I want to become a high school band teacher, as well as a brass tech with a drum corps. I want to give back to the programs that made me who I am.