Occasional Musings by Kevin Russell
August 6, 2019 I am on the campus of Bluffton University in Buffton, Ohio. This campus is under siege by the Boston Crusaders whose ranks are spread out among the many fine campus halls under the welcome shade trees. The sopranos are in one quad, the baritone in another. Tubas are in a field behind the stadium and the mellophones are somewhere. The percussion … Continue Reading →
August 3, 2019 “This mouthpiece is like a [deleted] flame thrower.” – Donny Allen, trumpeter, educator. I’m sitting in Allentown, PA with brother Garry and friend Donny. It is 2:00pm and we are in anticipation of night two of the Mecca of drum corps. Donny is trying out different mouthpieces in the park (ing lot) behind the Ham-Fam Restaurant a block away from J. … Continue Reading →
August 1, 2019 You know those word salad diagrams that visually demonstrate the key words describing a topic, the larger ones being the one more often used? Well, I think the words LOVE and FAMILY would be very prominent among the array of the other obvious words that aptly describe the drum and bugle corps activity such as dedication, excellence, etc. I have just … Continue Reading →
June 20, 2019 – Detroit 9:50am Yesterday, I arrived at the Detroit airport (DTW) on a non-stop flight from Burlington, VT (BTV) to visit friends and see the premiere DCI event at Ford Field tonight. Each airport could not be more uniquely different. At Burlington International Airport the parking garage, check in counter, and gates are all within a few yards of each other. … Continue Reading →
June 10, 2019 Maybe you know the story of David and Goliath. It is a symbolic underdog story of mere David of the Israelites pit against the Philistine giant Goliath. The unassuming David slays Goliath with a single shot to the head with a stone from his sling. This is the story that the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps (BAC) is bringing to … Continue Reading →
May 25, 2019 – Anticipation Builds for DCI 2019 It has been a long winter. Fortunately for me, it was a snowy one. With over one hundred days of skiing, many of them teaching, I can attest that it was a great off-season from drum corps. Back in 2012 when I rediscovered drum corps, I was excited to find a summertime activity that equaled … Continue Reading →
August 20, 2018 Upon Further Reflection of 2018 The state of drum corps is alive and well. Let’s drink to that! I have been home on the Mill Brook for a couple of weeks now after my 2018 Drum Corps International (DCI) tour. Coaching high school golf, hiking and working around the house on deferred maintenance to occupy my time, as drum corps continues … Continue Reading →
August 12, 2018 Homeward Bound 2:00pm The journey eastward from Indianapolis began this morning. It is Sunday, the day after the DCI final championship performances and I am homeward bound. Setting the on-board navigation system for Waitsfield, Vermont showed the usual interstate highway system routes. I chose to deviate to a less traveled route and put the Silver Bullet, my newer Volvo, in motion. … Continue Reading →
August 11, 2018 11:45 PM I am in the cafe area within Lucas Oil Stadium after the final performances of 2018 taking a minute to get these words down. After an exhilarating afternoon and evening of intense music and motion, the final line up of twelve DCI World Class drum and bugle corps finished in the reverse order of performance with no change … Continue Reading →
August 11 – Saturday, Finals Day 1:30 pm I am at the Indiana Convention Center, a block away from Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. This vast indoor environment would rival most shopping malls for indoor space. There is a comfortable lounge for me to sit, plug in and write. The air-conditioned building is a very welcome escape from the mid-Summer, mid-Western heat. I … Continue Reading →