For many marching band students, the music stops when their high school career is over. But for a few former Redhawks, leaving The Nest hasn’t been the end of their performing career as they’re a part of Drum Corps International (DCI).
DCI is an organization of various marching bands who perform and compete at a professional level with former Redhawks Josh Graves (The Sacramento Mandarins), Caroline Wolfe (The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps), Isabelle Raade (Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps).
“This was very different from my high school experience, where the season begins in July and [we] don’t rehearse the same amount of hours every day compared to what we do in drum corps,” Graves said. “Something else that is unique about DCI compared to high school is that the members consist of people from around the country and sometimes from other countries, all with different backgrounds and experiences.”
Although the Redhawks start rehearsing over the summer, DCI groups often require an even greater time commitment.
“I thought DCI was going to be challenging but I never knew just how challenging it would be until I was outside for 12+ hours a day, getting limited water breaks, barely getting food, pushing my body to its full limit and forcing myself to go even further than that for 73 days straight,” Raade said. “Even with how challenging it was, it was the best experience of my entire life. I’ve met some of my best friends from marching with the Madison Scouts.”
According to Raade, even though being in The Madison Scouts can be difficult and tiring at times, her passion and willingness to be challenged in her skill is what pushed her to continue guard.
“I love the emotional outlet that color guard brings. It’s a performance based activity that’s challenging mentally and physically,” Raade said. “After putting in months upon months of hard work and training, making a beautiful show that’s enjoyable to perform and to watch is such a fulfilling feeling. I wanted to do DCI because I love color guard and wanted to do it at a higher level. After making world class finals, and being the first class of women in the Madison Scouts to make finals, this season I feel much more confident in my skill and in my team.”
Rhythm, notes, and choreography aren’t the only things members learn in this program.
“DCI changes you in so many ways [that are] not even band related,” Wolfe said. “I have gained so much more awareness and self confidence. I also feel that I learn a lot faster than before.”
For some who had dreamed of being in this program for many years, these memories in DCI are ones to be cherished for years to come.
“It was always a big dream of mine to perform at DCI Finals with such an outstanding group, and seeing the sold-out stands full of people cheering after our final performance of the show was an amazing experience that I will never forget,” Graves said.
Since Graves’ first day with The Mandarins, he has always felt like the community has welcomed him like family.
“One of my many favorite memories was sitting in front of our alumni on history night as they played our corps song for the new members,” Graves said. “That was when I truly felt how close the family aspects of drum corps were, and how amazing it was that I was welcomed and accepted by such a wonderful community even from day one as an auditionee.”
