My Home for two of my summers
Not exactly the first thing that pops into most people's minds when they think about their favorite places they have ever visited. However, for me, this a bus like this was my home for two summers with some of the best people I have ever met in my life. During the Summer's of 2014 and 2016 I was fortunate enough to march with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a baritone player.
Me in action
A quick google search is all it would take to figure out some of what we did together those summers, but will really only provide a glimpse at all that went on. To be brief, drum corps are essentially professional marching bands, and they travel around the country competing with other top ensembles to crown a world champion. While all the music and marching aspects of that crazy activity were some awesome memories. The ones I truly miss the most now-a-days are the down time. All the crazy bus stories that I wouldn't imagine would have happened. Going to bed at 11PM in one city on your traveling home, and awakening 3-7 hours later in a completely new area ready to practice and work all day. Getting a day off and finding the closest place to grab a beer with my friends. It still doesn't make all that much sense to me how I could miss such an uncomfortable and difficult situation so much, but it was all worth it in the end. That Bus is still one of my favorite places in the world, and I hope it continues to create memories for all those future members.
When all else is gone...
Tour Bus Image
Hi Stephan! Like I said in the email, the idea of a favorite place that MOVES is very cool indeed. And I hope you can use this class as a way to connect with the amazing drumming and other musical traditions of India. It's very much a part of the mythology, with Shiva's drum being one of his iconic objects! It's called a damaru: Shiva and the Damaru
ReplyDeleteSo, keep an eye out for references to music in the epics and other reading for class: you will find lots!
Stephan, this is an awesome post! I think that the tour bus is a unique part of your life that deserves its claim to fame as your favorite place. We often underestimate those types of experiences until they are in the past, but I'm glad that you value your time doing that. As I mentioned in another post, I am so inspired by your balance of school and music. It is awesome that you invest so much time into something you love!
ReplyDeleteThis might be the most interesting "favorite place" post I have seen. It sounds like such a great experience and a wonderful chance for you to not only practice your passion of music, but also see some really cool places around the country. Like Professor Gibbs said, it is really neat that your favorite place is one that moves. Thanks for sharing!
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