Name, age, hometown: Jack Borland; 19 years old; Lenox, Iowa What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I am a member of the Colts cymbal line

Jack Borland
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I marched for five years for the Lenox Marching Tigers playing snare, and I have marched one year for the Hawkeye Marching Band playing cymbals. This is my rookie year with the Colts. ^How did you decide to be a member of your corps? Ever since I found out about drum corps, I have always been attracted first and foremost to Iowa's corps. I have always heard that the Colts have the most amazing family atmosphere in DCI, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to march with them this summer. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I first found out about DCI in 2002, which was my junior year in high school, when my band director showed us a video of the 2002 Colts show, "Revelations." I really enjoyed doing competitive marching band, and I was immediately impressed with the precision and power of it all. Later that year, we watched the Cavaliers famous 2002 show, "Frameworks." I was hooked from then on, but I never thought I had what it took to make it in the drum corps world. Then, this last fall, the boyfriend of a girl on the snare line here at Iowa and I were talking about drum corps, and he said he was going to try out. I told him that I'd always wanted to, and he talked me into it. The rest is history. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? No matter how scared you are of something new, you absolutely must go for it. I am very lucky that I will be able to march three years before aging out, but I could have marched four, five or even six years. If it isn't for you, that's OK, but it is something that you have to find out for yourself. If you don't try it, you're probably going to regret it down the road. Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? Well, I havn't been on the road yet, so no. I guess my favorite camp anecdote would be the Colts January camp, when I found out I was being contracted. I wanted to give Lauren (Colts cymbal tech) a huge hug, but there were too many people around, so I had to act natural. The last good book I read: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" – now in a theater near you. The last great film I saw: Ummm, the last time I went to the movies was to see "Meet the Fockers." Very hilarious. Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I'm a freshman at the University of Iowa studying music. Jobs I have/have had: Well, I mowed yards and shoveled snow since I was a little kid until the summer after my senior year, when I had to give it up to come to college. I have worked in a couple restaurants in Lenox, the Tiger Den and Breadeaux Pizza. I worked in an egg processing factory for a month which was by far the smelliest, most gross job I've had, but it paid well. I now drive a bus for the University of Iowa, which is pretty fun. My favorite TV show: I don't watch much TV anymore, it used to be "Friends." Favorite performers: Any drum and bugle corps. These performers are some of the hardest-working in the world, and you probably won't encounter any performers who will pour their heart into a show like a member of a drum corps. How do you "blow off steam?" I'm pretty easy-going, so I don't get steamed very often. When I do, I will either vent to a friend, or just be by myself for a while until I can calm down. What has been your formative drum corps moment? Again, probably when I was contracted. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. Best drum corps show ever: I really like '02 Colts and '02 Cavaliers, but watch out for the '05 Colts show. It's going to be amazing. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Being with the most intense group of people I've ever met, including my amazing girlfriend. Best thing about being in a drum corps: The camaraderie. I've only been with the Colts for three months, and I can't describe to you the family atmosphere that I already feel a part of. And also, the food. You rock, Colts cooks! Worst thing about being in a drum corps: I haven't come across this one yet, I pretty much love every aspect so far. During tour, the best part of the day is: Well, the best part of camp is when we do the dog and pony show, or in the case of this weekend, the final run-through of drill. There is such a feeling of accomplishment. During tour, the worst part of the day is: I guess the worst part of camp is right after a meal. Your body is still digesting the food, and it takes extra effort both physically and mentally to stay focused. Favorite drum corps personality and why: Greg Orwoll. He is an extremely motivational person. Also Mike Grimes, the Colts visual caption head. This man is the most extreme person I've ever seen. What I want to be when I "grow up": Well, the plan right now is to teach high school instrumental music. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I really like to think that it isn't going to change too dramatically.
More competitive, of course, which will come with more people knowing about the activity. Faster, louder, like nothing we've seen so far. Feel free to add anything else you'd like. I guess I'd just like to reiterate the fact that if you want to march, then you have to go for it! Since I became a member of the Colts, tons of great things have happened. It's been an exciting time in my life, and every day I think about how lucky I am that I was talked into trying out. I hope that for those of you reading who are on the fence about trying out, this article does something to persuade you to just take the plunge. And oh yeah, GO RED TEAM!