Name, age, hometown: Jonathan March, 20, Bedford, Texas


Jonathan March
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I am in The Cavaliers, and I am a marching member in the mellophone section. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I have marched one year with the Cavaliers (2004) and will be marching again this summer (2005). I marched for two years in high school, 2000 and 2001 at Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas, and one year at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I decided to become a member of the Cavaliers in mid-February 2003, when I saw a video of them on a friend's computer (she marched Bluecoats 2003 and 2004). I noticed how flawless it was. The whole experience reminded me so much of myself, striving for perfection in everything that I do, that I became an instantly an avid fan. I bought all of the T-shirts and fan "stuff" that any normal fan of the Cavaliers gets. I knew that I was going to tryout in November of 2003. What got me hooked on this dream was when I saw them live for the first time in Wichita, Kan. It blew me away. All of the months of practicing the audition music up to that point and seeing the show made me want it so much more. I knew I wanted to march with the Cavaliers. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? I found out that my friend Bethany, who marched with the Bluecoats in 2003 and 2004, was marching with a drum corps. I had never really seen drum corps or really heard much about it until she explained it all. She showed me some videos of some drum corps and I knew that I liked it at first sight. What really hit it home was when I saw her march in the Atlanta, Ga., area in June of 2003. It amazed me at how intricate the shows were and how good they were after such a short amount of time! What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Some key elements to marching where you want are motivation, dedication and a good attitude. You have to want to do it. The motivation is probably the easiest part of it. Just seeing a drum corps perform is normally enough motivation to want to do it. Dedication is a bit more difficult to come by. After you see the show, you are excited for a few weeks. After a while your dedication to practicing and getting better can wear off, but you have to keep working. Keep your eye on your goal. A good attitude is necessary to the whole process. If you do not keep a good attitude about everything, disappointment is magnified. You just have to know that there will be good days and bad days when preparing for auditions. Do not ever give up. The last good book I read: I read this amazing book, "Both Sides of the Story" by Marian Keyes, while I was in the Czech Republic this spring. It is not profound or really influential, but just a good book. The last great film I saw: "Ray" Where I go to school and what I'm studying: the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, studying accounting. Jobs I have/have had: I am currently a server at a dining hall on campus. Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: I really wouldn't have to worry about this because I just got an iPod, which holds every amazing song that I have ever heard. I would have these CDs: John Mayer, "Room for Squares"; Coldplay, "Rush of Blood to the Head"; and something top 40 -- I would need some music to keep my spirits up! My favorite TV show: "Will & Grace" Favorite performers: This is a loaded question. My favorite group to watch perform in drum corps is the Cavaliers. My favorite music artist to see perform live is John Mayer. My favorite professional wind ensemble to watch is the Dallas Wind Symphony. How do you "blow off steam?" I find that I either work out really hard or I listen to music. I find that the first is more helpful in getting ready for the summer, but sometimes music is just the key to feeling better. What has been your formative drum corps moment? Seeing the Cavaliers perform live in Wichita, Kan., in 2003. I couldn't help but go crazy every time anything happened. I knew that I was hooked on the Cavaliers after that. Best drum corps show ever: I guess the 2002 Cavaliers "Frameworks" show by default. It isn't my favorite show, though. My favorites are the Cavaliers 1998 and 1999 shows. The music gets me every time. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Not being new. It is going to be so much less stress this year not having to worry about what you are or not doing right. Once you do it one year, it isn't much different in the performing aspect of things. I am also looking forward to seeing my friends that I made last year again. Best thing about being in a drum corps: Not having to go to summer school or get a summer job. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Not going to summer school and not having a summer job. During tour, the best part of the day is: The time right after doing the final run-through on a rehearsal day and having that feeling of accomplishment. During tour, the worst part of the day is: Waking up on the morning of a rehearsal day. Favorite drum corps personality and why: Jeff Fiedler. Even before I had auditioned for the Cavaliers, I was reading the forums on the Cavaliers Web site, and I always looked forward to reading his posts online. They were always witty and usually funny. What he stands for in terms of the future of drum corps is definitely a position that I agree with. What I want to be when I "grow up": I want to be a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in a major accounting firm in Chicago or Dallas. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I hope it doesn't look much different than it does right now.