Name, hometown, corps: Casey Hawthorne, Tyler, Texas, Bluecoats
What is your role in the corps this summer? Drum major
involved with there? I attend Tyler Junior College. I'm a two-year member of the color guard there, and I was captain of the color guard in 2003. I am also the director of the color guard at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas. 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'm a second-year member of the Bluecoats color guard. I was captain of the guard in high school, and a color guard member before that. I marched at Tyler Junior College my freshman year and during my sophomore year I became guard captain. I was a member of the varsity choir all four years in high school, a vocalist for the high school jazz band my senior year. I was also a state solo and ensemble participant all four years in high school. The last good book I read: Anything by John Grisham The last great film I saw: "The Pianist" Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Perfect Circle, Incubus, Staind My favorite TV show: "Dateline" and "20/20" How do you "blow off steam?" Running/jogging/working out Why I march with the corps I am in: I have been attending the Bluecoats shows since my freshman year in high school. I was intrigued by all the talent in the performing arts. The Bluecoats serves as my second family. The people you meet and the friends you make are beyond anything I have had before, and the learning experiences are priceless. Once a Bluecoat, always a Bluecoat. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No, I wasn't planning on it, but the opportunity was there, and I have been in a leadership role before, so I took a shot at it. I greatly enjoyed spinning in the guard last season, but you only live once, so I took a chance, and now I'm experiencing something that is beyond words. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I see myself as the go-between, I am here for the members and my ears are always open. I believe relaying the message between staff and members and staying balanced as a corps is very important. I will maintain discipline and encouragement for the members, while seeing that all jobs are taken care of and that as a whole we are all successful this season. Best drum corps show ever: I enjoyed the Bluecoats' "Homefront" show in 1995. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Our show. I can't wait to see the response our show brings from the crowd. Best thing about being a drum corps leader: You get to see things from a different prospective. You learn a lot from the members, and learn a lot about yourself. Worst thing about being a drum corps leader: If something goes amiss, they'll look to you first. During tour, the best part of the day is: Full ensemble, and final run-through. It's a great feeling to end your day knowing that you're one step closer to your goal as a corps. During tour, the worst part of the day is: Wakeup. Not everybody is a morning person. What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? Currently I am a broadcast journalism major. I want to replace Barbara Walters on "20/20" one day. Maybe teach elementary education along with color guard on the side as well. I live to take advantage of all of life's options -- to live for today, and to look for tomorrow. I am forever thankful for all of God's many blessings in my life and I tend to use them to their full extent.
Casey Hawthorne
involved with there? I attend Tyler Junior College. I'm a two-year member of the color guard there, and I was captain of the color guard in 2003. I am also the director of the color guard at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas. 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'm a second-year member of the Bluecoats color guard. I was captain of the guard in high school, and a color guard member before that. I marched at Tyler Junior College my freshman year and during my sophomore year I became guard captain. I was a member of the varsity choir all four years in high school, a vocalist for the high school jazz band my senior year. I was also a state solo and ensemble participant all four years in high school. The last good book I read: Anything by John Grisham The last great film I saw: "The Pianist" Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Perfect Circle, Incubus, Staind My favorite TV show: "Dateline" and "20/20" How do you "blow off steam?" Running/jogging/working out Why I march with the corps I am in: I have been attending the Bluecoats shows since my freshman year in high school. I was intrigued by all the talent in the performing arts. The Bluecoats serves as my second family. The people you meet and the friends you make are beyond anything I have had before, and the learning experiences are priceless. Once a Bluecoat, always a Bluecoat. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No, I wasn't planning on it, but the opportunity was there, and I have been in a leadership role before, so I took a shot at it. I greatly enjoyed spinning in the guard last season, but you only live once, so I took a chance, and now I'm experiencing something that is beyond words. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I see myself as the go-between, I am here for the members and my ears are always open. I believe relaying the message between staff and members and staying balanced as a corps is very important. I will maintain discipline and encouragement for the members, while seeing that all jobs are taken care of and that as a whole we are all successful this season. Best drum corps show ever: I enjoyed the Bluecoats' "Homefront" show in 1995. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Our show. I can't wait to see the response our show brings from the crowd. Best thing about being a drum corps leader: You get to see things from a different prospective. You learn a lot from the members, and learn a lot about yourself. Worst thing about being a drum corps leader: If something goes amiss, they'll look to you first. During tour, the best part of the day is: Full ensemble, and final run-through. It's a great feeling to end your day knowing that you're one step closer to your goal as a corps. During tour, the worst part of the day is: Wakeup. Not everybody is a morning person. What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? Currently I am a broadcast journalism major. I want to replace Barbara Walters on "20/20" one day. Maybe teach elementary education along with color guard on the side as well. I live to take advantage of all of life's options -- to live for today, and to look for tomorrow. I am forever thankful for all of God's many blessings in my life and I tend to use them to their full extent.