Name, hometown, corps: Kevin Whalen, New Brighton, Minn., marching with the Blue Stars.
What is your role in the corps this summer? Drum major
involved with there? I go to Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minn. I'm in the marching band, jazz ensemble, show choir, National Honor Society, and I play varsity baseball.
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've marched for four years at Irondale, two as a trumpet and two as a drum major. I was fortunate to learn about conducting and leadership from some awesome music educators as a drum major there.
The last good book I read: "For Whom the Bell Tolls," by Ernest Hemingway The last great film I saw: "The Passion of the Christ"
Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," Coldplay's "Parachutes," and Radiohead's "The Bends"
My favorite TV show: "Saturday Night Live" Favorite performers: Chris Martin from Coldplay and Roy Hargrove (awesome jazz trumpet player) How do you "blow off steam"? A nice long run. Why I march with the corps I am in: The Blue Stars have a pretty awesome tradition, and that was what brought me to the first camp. When I got there though, I found out that there's such a sense of family within the corps. It's different than anything I've ever experienced marching. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No ... I guess I've always wanted to be wherever I am most useful to the group. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I view the two as being one and the same. What has been your formative drum corps moment? The first time I witnessed drum corps live was in 2000 when I went to watch a Madison Scouts rehearsal. I was floored, and I knew that I would march drum corps some day.
Best drum corps show ever: Madison Scouts 1995 What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Performing. During tour, the best part of the day is: I never marched until now During tour, the worst part of the day is: I never marched until now Favorite drum corps personality and why: None yet! What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? I want to teach high school, hopefully English or history.
What is your role in the corps this summer? Drum major
Kevin Whalen
involved with there? I go to Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minn. I'm in the marching band, jazz ensemble, show choir, National Honor Society, and I play varsity baseball.
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've marched for four years at Irondale, two as a trumpet and two as a drum major. I was fortunate to learn about conducting and leadership from some awesome music educators as a drum major there.
The last good book I read: "For Whom the Bell Tolls," by Ernest Hemingway The last great film I saw: "The Passion of the Christ"
Three CDs I'd want on a deserted island: Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," Coldplay's "Parachutes," and Radiohead's "The Bends"
My favorite TV show: "Saturday Night Live" Favorite performers: Chris Martin from Coldplay and Roy Hargrove (awesome jazz trumpet player) How do you "blow off steam"? A nice long run. Why I march with the corps I am in: The Blue Stars have a pretty awesome tradition, and that was what brought me to the first camp. When I got there though, I found out that there's such a sense of family within the corps. It's different than anything I've ever experienced marching. Was it always your goal to be in a leadership role? No ... I guess I've always wanted to be wherever I am most useful to the group. How will you go about balancing the roles of leader and corpsmate? I view the two as being one and the same. What has been your formative drum corps moment? The first time I witnessed drum corps live was in 2000 when I went to watch a Madison Scouts rehearsal. I was floored, and I knew that I would march drum corps some day.
Best drum corps show ever: Madison Scouts 1995 What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Performing. During tour, the best part of the day is: I never marched until now During tour, the worst part of the day is: I never marched until now Favorite drum corps personality and why: None yet! What do you want to be when your drum corps career is over? I want to teach high school, hopefully English or history.