Name, age, hometown: John Powlison, 16, Camp Hill, Pa. What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I'm a rookie member of the Crossmen trumpet section. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. Hmm, not much to say here. Aside from marching three years with my high school's marching band (Cumberland Valley), I have very little marching experience.

John Powlison
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I saw the Crossmen at Hershey in 2004, and the horn line just blew my face off. I absolutely loved it and decided I had to be a part of it. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I saw the 2003 DCI finals on PBS and became completely hooked. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Well, as I am pretty young myself, all I can say is that everyone should march. It's definitely worth the work! The last good book I read: "1984" by George Orwell. The last great film I saw: "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" Where I go to school: I'm currently a junior at Cumberland Valley High School. Jobs I have/have had: I used to babysit a lot. Now I guess I have to get a real job to pay for drum corps. Three albums I'd want on a deserted island: Anything by Reel Big Fish, any of the M.F. Horn albums, anything by Chuck Mangione. My favorite TV show: "Saturday Night Live." Favorite performers: I'm a big fan of "Blast!" Every time I watch the DVD it amazes me more and more. How do you "blow off steam?" Practicing trumpet or playing pool usually helps me get my mind off things. What has been your formative drum corps moment? Playing through "Radar Love" with the Crossmen for the first time. The horn line had been practicing separate from the percussion all day. It wasn't until we put it all together that I realized how fun it was to play. So loud! The crowds are gonna throw babies when they hear it! Best drum corps show ever: I can't pick just one: Star '93, Cadets '00, Madison '96. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? I can't wait to put on a uniform and perform at the first competition. Best thing about being in a drum corps: Knowing that every single member of the corps has the same goal in mind. Everyone wants to succeed. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Really long music rehearsals at the winter camps. Standing in one place for that many hours gets pretty boring. During tour, the best part of the day is: Lunch? During tour, the worst part of the day is: "Good morning Crossmen!" Favorite drum corps personality and why: Steve Rondinaro is pretty cool. He makes shows seem that much more interesting and points out the good qualities in every corps. What I want to be when I "grow up": I'd love to be a high school or college band director. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I hope the visual programs continue to grow and become even more difficult and exciting. With all the innovations in the past, I can't wait to see what they come up with in the future. How about a trumpet soloist playing while being thrown through the air by the guard? Or the pit playing on a floating platform?