Name, age, hometown: Jordan Roddel, 17 years old, Sioux Falls, S.D. What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? Pioneer bass drum two Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. This will be my second year with Pioneer, my first was on cymbals (as shown in the quarterfinals picture). And I have marched with the Roosevelt High School Marching Band, in Sioux Falls, for four years.

Jordan Roddel
How did you decide to be a member of your corps? When Pioneer came to Sioux Falls in 2003, I went to their practice site just to watch them, while there I was approached by both staff and members who made me feel extremely welcome and that I was already a member of their family. They invited me to try out for the next season and I really felt like I wanted to join. When I went to audition for the 2004 season, I was immediately greeted by people who recognized me and befriended me and that made me realize that this was the corps that I wanted to belong to. What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? When Sioux Falls first held the Sioux Empire Spectacular in 2002, I volunteered to help behind the scenes and I got to watch the shows from ground level. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Go for it! There is no other experience in the world that can come even close to drum corps. What other organizations allow you to do something you love with people, from all over the world, who love the same things? The last good book I read: The "Left Behind" series The last great film I saw: "Coach Carter" Where I go to school and what I'm studying, if applicable: Next fall I'll be attending South Dakota State University and be majoring in music merchandising. Jobs I have/have had: Busser/host at Red Lobster, current busser/host at TGI Fridays. Three albums I'd want on a deserted island: Casting Crowns, self titled; Breaking Benjamin, "We Are Not Alone"; and "An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess" My favorite TV show: "Whose Line is it Anyway?" Favorite performers: Dream Theater, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Newsboys How do you "blow off steam?" Running -- lots of running or rollerblading, one of the two. What has been your formative drum corps moment? You want me to narrow it down to just one? I don't think that's possible, but if I had to I would pick stepping off Invesco Field in Denver, realizing that I had just experienced the best summer of my life, and then realizing that I get to do it all again next year! Best drum corps show ever: I don't really have a favorite, I just love watching as much as I can. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Reuniting with my second family and becoming "Better Every Day."    Best thing about being in a drum corps: Pushing myself as hard as I can to achieve my very best and knowing that everyone around me is doing the same. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: The word "sleep" seems to escape your vocabulary. During tour, the best part of the day is: Final run-through and pushing through to the end. During tour, the worst part of the day is: "What? It's time to wake up already?" Favorite drum corps personality and why: Mickey Hartzog, because he's so motivated and supportive that I would not want to drum for anybody else. What I want to be when I "grow up": Hopefully a salesman or spokesman for a major music corporation while continuing to work with a drum corps. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I hope it looks exactly the same as it does today, I wouldn't change a thing about drum corps. Except I could live without amplification. Feel free to add anything else you'd like. In drum corps, you learn that any decision made by one member can influence the entire corps. This makes me think through everything I do and wonder if what I'm doing will best benefit the corps. But most importantly, I gained a confidence and self respect for myself. Without drum corps, I wouldn't know some of my best friends today, and I honestly don't know where I would be without it.