AHS band program hosts drum corps

The Atlanta High School band program hosted the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps overnight July 17 while they travel the country performing in various competitions. Members of the drum corps spent the night in the band hall and practiced at the stadium and high school facility.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the generosity of people like Atlanta ISD,” director Joe Roach said. “Just before the Fourth of July, myself and about 150 other student performers started traveling around the country. We basically live in schools.”

Music City Drum and Bugle Corps–a performance ensemble of brass, percussion and color guard–is the marching music education program of Music City Youth in the Arts from Nashville, Tennessee.

The organization consists of high school and college students ages 16-21.

“Atlanta has hosted drum corps in the past, before you built this beautiful stadium and great band facility,” Roach said. “We either spend the day rehearsing, or we just sleep and go to the next place.”

Performers from all over the country audition for spots beginning in the fall, and those selected attend a camp in April.

“Memorial Day weekend, we all started together, so it’s a quick process,” Roach said. “We won’t be home until Aug. 13, so it’s a pretty intense commitment.”

After about 30 performances around the country, the tour culminates in Indianapolis for the Drum Corps International World Championships where about 40 drum corps will compete for three days.

In addition to honing musical talents, the program provides experience in learning life lessons, such as responsibility, teamwork and respecting others.

“I knew that it would give me a lot of experience and would definitely help me grow in my skills,” color guard member McKenna Asher said. “Also, I knew that drum corps can help you become a better person, so it’s a great way for me to grow not only as a color guard member but as a person.”

Asher said she hopes to use what she’s learned during senior year on color guard in Paducah, Kentucky.

“Hopefully, I can be part of leadership with my guard back home,” Asher said. “This will help with my leadership skills and time management, getting things done more efficiently,” Asher said. “Movement with a purpose–we say that a lot.”

For more information about the program or auditions, visit musiccityyouth.org.