DCI 2017 Benjamin & Jessica
Donation protected
As some of you may know, Benjamin achieved a particularly long-held dream of being a part of Drum Corps International, last year. Many of you generously helped him with that. He passed this bug on to his little sister, Jessica, when we went to see him perform at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Jessie is a junior this year at Mountain View High School and, like Ben, is a percussionist. This year, for the first time, she started playing bass. All of them. Our band is not large enough to be able to march our percussion section, so one person plays all 4 basses. To be truthful, that is exactly how she likes it! However, in September she made the decision to try for DCI, with no previous experience in either the instrument OR marching. At that time, understanding how incredibly hard DCI is, I thought she had lost her mind. In fact, Ben relayed that one of the Genesis previous members, who is now on staff, has also been a Marine. He said that drum corps was harder than the Marines! Ben was supportive of Jessica's obssession (Well, of course! He has the same one!) and gave her tips and constructive criticisms over the next 2 1/2 months. Jessica poured herself into preparation, often finishing her homework around 11pm-midnight, and then practicing for 1-2 hours after that. Every weekend was spent the same way - homework and hours of practice, memorizing all of the drills in her audition packet - not just for one bass. ALL 5 of them. 5 parts per drill, learned and memorized. She wanted to be prepared. She was.
Ms. Anastasia Chuca, Band instructor at East Montana Middle School and percussionist extraordinare, gave of her time to coach and mentor Jessica, for which we are very grateful!
Benjamin and Jessica auditioned on November 25, in Bastrop, TX and they both were awarded contracts that weekend! Newbies RARELY get a contract the first time. They usually get a call back if they are not cut.
They will have to travel to Bastrop, TX (700 miles), one weekend a month until May, when they will move in for 5 weeks of intense and arduous work, 15 hours every day in the hot Texas sun. Now we know why it is compared to the Marines!
Even though DCI is a 501(c)(3) organization, it costs all participants about $3300 each in fees to participate. This fundraiser is to help them both pay their fees. As their mom, I wanted to help them with this and also wanted a way to express my deep appreciation. All donations of $40 or more will receive the gift box pictured above, with 4 individually wrapped, handmade soaps, mailed to the address you provide. You may provide the address in the donor comments or message Thymeless Bath & Oils privately through Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/thymelessbath/
Ms. Anastasia Chuca, Band instructor at East Montana Middle School and percussionist extraordinare, gave of her time to coach and mentor Jessica, for which we are very grateful!
Benjamin and Jessica auditioned on November 25, in Bastrop, TX and they both were awarded contracts that weekend! Newbies RARELY get a contract the first time. They usually get a call back if they are not cut.
They will have to travel to Bastrop, TX (700 miles), one weekend a month until May, when they will move in for 5 weeks of intense and arduous work, 15 hours every day in the hot Texas sun. Now we know why it is compared to the Marines!
Even though DCI is a 501(c)(3) organization, it costs all participants about $3300 each in fees to participate. This fundraiser is to help them both pay their fees. As their mom, I wanted to help them with this and also wanted a way to express my deep appreciation. All donations of $40 or more will receive the gift box pictured above, with 4 individually wrapped, handmade soaps, mailed to the address you provide. You may provide the address in the donor comments or message Thymeless Bath & Oils privately through Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/thymelessbath/
Organizer
Bethany Conrow Cervantes
Organizer
El Paso, TX
