Name, age, hometown: My name is Kit Manuel. I'm 21 years old and I am from Vacaville, Calif.
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? I am the 4th bass drummer in the Phantom Regiment. It is my rookie year with the corps.
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I marched high school band for four years (two on bass, two on snare) at Armijo High School in Fairfield, Calif. I marched with the Mandarins for the last three years. I spent my first two years on 4th bass and my last one on 2nd.
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? Getting better as a player and performer
What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Practice the basics. It may not always be fun, but a corps would rather have someone that could play a bar of 16th notes correct every single time as opposed to someone with can't. Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? Back in Mandarins, we used to have bus war wrestling with everyone, even the staff. The last good book I read: "Upfront" by Jim Casella and Jim Ancona
The last great film I saw: "Rush Hour 2." I saw it on a plane ride home. Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I'm going to my local community college. I switched my major from programming to physical therapy. Jobs I have/have had: I work retail at Mervyns in Vacaville, I also teach two high school drum lines: Fairfield High in Fairfield, Calif., and Hogan High in Vallejo, Calif.
My favorite TV show: "Family Guy"
How do you "blow off steam?" I complain to someone who wants to listen if I can't do anything about it. If I can, I will try to do something about it.
What has been your formative drum corps moment? In 2002 for Division II & III finals night, the corps was on standby at the Badger Stadium and we were waiting for Magic to finish performing. While waiting, all the other corps were there screaming and cheering us on like no other thing I have ever experienced. (They were) telling us we were the only ones who could beat Magic, and that we were an awesome corps. Even though we didn't beat Magic, needless to say it was such a hype that night waiting for Magic to finish.
Best drum corps show ever: 1998 Vanguard What are you most looking forward to about the summer? A new experience.
Best thing about being in a drum corps: Getting better
Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Long rehearsals
During tour, the best part of the day is: Downtime at a housing site after practice
During tour, the worst part of the day is: Any part if you are sick
Favorite drum corps personality and why: (DCI judge) Allan Kristensen. He is a real knowledgeable guy and can make a good tape. What I want to be when I "grow up": Um, happy. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I hope there won't be anything other than drums, brass and guard.
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. I marched high school band for four years (two on bass, two on snare) at Armijo High School in Fairfield, Calif. I marched with the Mandarins for the last three years. I spent my first two years on 4th bass and my last one on 2nd.
Kit Manuel
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity? Getting better as a player and performer
What advice would you give to young people who want to march? Practice the basics. It may not always be fun, but a corps would rather have someone that could play a bar of 16th notes correct every single time as opposed to someone with can't. Do you have any favorite road anecdotes? Back in Mandarins, we used to have bus war wrestling with everyone, even the staff. The last good book I read: "Upfront" by Jim Casella and Jim Ancona
The last great film I saw: "Rush Hour 2." I saw it on a plane ride home. Where I go to school and what I'm studying: I'm going to my local community college. I switched my major from programming to physical therapy. Jobs I have/have had: I work retail at Mervyns in Vacaville, I also teach two high school drum lines: Fairfield High in Fairfield, Calif., and Hogan High in Vallejo, Calif.
My favorite TV show: "Family Guy"
How do you "blow off steam?" I complain to someone who wants to listen if I can't do anything about it. If I can, I will try to do something about it.
What has been your formative drum corps moment? In 2002 for Division II & III finals night, the corps was on standby at the Badger Stadium and we were waiting for Magic to finish performing. While waiting, all the other corps were there screaming and cheering us on like no other thing I have ever experienced. (They were) telling us we were the only ones who could beat Magic, and that we were an awesome corps. Even though we didn't beat Magic, needless to say it was such a hype that night waiting for Magic to finish.
Best drum corps show ever: 1998 Vanguard What are you most looking forward to about the summer? A new experience.
Best thing about being in a drum corps: Getting better
Worst thing about being in a drum corps: Long rehearsals
During tour, the best part of the day is: Downtime at a housing site after practice
During tour, the worst part of the day is: Any part if you are sick
Favorite drum corps personality and why: (DCI judge) Allan Kristensen. He is a real knowledgeable guy and can make a good tape. What I want to be when I "grow up": Um, happy. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I hope there won't be anything other than drums, brass and guard.