Name, age, hometown: Melissa M. Soule, 21, Sacramento, Calif..
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer? Mandarins, baritone.
is my second year, and my ageout. How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I actually had never even played an instrument before I was introduced to drum corps. I was a sports girl all the way. When I was presented with the idea that I could play an instrument if I was dedicated and motivated enough, I decided to try something new and go for it! It was such a great idea. I have learned to play music, march, and have gotten to do something that I had told myself for years that I was never going to be able to do. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? My advice would be to never give up. If this is something you are serious about wanting to do, DO IT! Don't secondguess yourself. And, if someone who has never played and never read music can do it, then anyone can. The last good book I read: I honestly don't know. I work with kids so all of the books that I read are 1st-through-6th grade. The last great film I saw: "The Pianist" Where I go to school and what I'm studying, if applicable: I go to American River College and I am in the process of getting my teaching credentials and my EMT certificate. Jobs I have/have had: I am the site coordinator for an after-school program at the elementary school level. Three albums I'd want on a deserted island: Boyz to Men, "Evolution"
Elton John, any of his greatest hits
Garth Brooks, any greatest hits My favorite TV show: CSI How do you "blow off steam?" I usually just like to be by myself. I have tried to write and I have tried to talk about it but just being by myself usually works the best. I can calm down and get back to my usual happy self. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Since this is my ageout year I am looking forward to meeting all of my personal goals. I want to prove to myself that I put out 110 percent and that I did all that I could to contribute to a wonderful season. Best thing about being in a drum corps: The best thing for me about drum corps is the variety of people you come in contact with. I have made so many friends and connections with people that I otherwise would not have gotten a chance to meet. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: I would have to say that the worst thing about being in drum corps is the month or two after tour. Your body is in such good shape and we eat so well on tour that when we make it back home we don't move around as much and we gain back some of the body that we managed to lose over the summer. During tour, the best part of the day is: I think the best part about the day on tour is when the sun is just about down. I love to look around and see the sunset during practice. Not only because it is pretty, but because you know that bedtime is only a couple of hours away. During tour, the worst part of the day is: The worst part of the day is mid-afternoon. You have just eaten lunch and you know that only a fraction of your day is complete. The sun burning your back just adds to the greatness of this part of the day. What I want to be when I "grow up": I either want to teach elementary school or work as a fire rescuer. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I think the setup will be the same but I hope that a lot of the smaller corps gain more people so that the competition of all the corps will be closer.
Melissa Soule
is my second year, and my ageout. How did you decide to be a member of your corps? I actually had never even played an instrument before I was introduced to drum corps. I was a sports girl all the way. When I was presented with the idea that I could play an instrument if I was dedicated and motivated enough, I decided to try something new and go for it! It was such a great idea. I have learned to play music, march, and have gotten to do something that I had told myself for years that I was never going to be able to do. What advice would you give to young people who want to march? My advice would be to never give up. If this is something you are serious about wanting to do, DO IT! Don't secondguess yourself. And, if someone who has never played and never read music can do it, then anyone can. The last good book I read: I honestly don't know. I work with kids so all of the books that I read are 1st-through-6th grade. The last great film I saw: "The Pianist" Where I go to school and what I'm studying, if applicable: I go to American River College and I am in the process of getting my teaching credentials and my EMT certificate. Jobs I have/have had: I am the site coordinator for an after-school program at the elementary school level. Three albums I'd want on a deserted island: Boyz to Men, "Evolution"
Elton John, any of his greatest hits
Garth Brooks, any greatest hits My favorite TV show: CSI How do you "blow off steam?" I usually just like to be by myself. I have tried to write and I have tried to talk about it but just being by myself usually works the best. I can calm down and get back to my usual happy self. What are you most looking forward to about the summer? Since this is my ageout year I am looking forward to meeting all of my personal goals. I want to prove to myself that I put out 110 percent and that I did all that I could to contribute to a wonderful season. Best thing about being in a drum corps: The best thing for me about drum corps is the variety of people you come in contact with. I have made so many friends and connections with people that I otherwise would not have gotten a chance to meet. Worst thing about being in a drum corps: I would have to say that the worst thing about being in drum corps is the month or two after tour. Your body is in such good shape and we eat so well on tour that when we make it back home we don't move around as much and we gain back some of the body that we managed to lose over the summer. During tour, the best part of the day is: I think the best part about the day on tour is when the sun is just about down. I love to look around and see the sunset during practice. Not only because it is pretty, but because you know that bedtime is only a couple of hours away. During tour, the worst part of the day is: The worst part of the day is mid-afternoon. You have just eaten lunch and you know that only a fraction of your day is complete. The sun burning your back just adds to the greatness of this part of the day. What I want to be when I "grow up": I either want to teach elementary school or work as a fire rescuer. Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015. I think the setup will be the same but I hope that a lot of the smaller corps gain more people so that the competition of all the corps will be closer.