Sponsor Mason's Summer With The Blue Knights
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Dear friends, family, and band lovers alike, My name is Mason Moore, I am a freshman Music Education major at the University of Arkansas. This past month I have been offered a full contract with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp based out of Denver, Colorado. While this is an exciting opportunity it is also an expensive one. The total cost of tour fees for this upcoming summer is $4100. This, however, does not include any fees from auditions, rehearsal camps, or flights from XNA to Denver. Between my personal savings and the help of my parents, I have been able to cover the fees so far. However, Being a full-time college student taking 17 hours while also being an active member of the University of Arkansas band program has kept me from being able to have a scheduled job to cover the rest of the costs. Leaving me limited free time. I am trying to pick up odd jobs during any available free time to help cover my remaining fees. If there is anything I can do to help anyone in return for contributions towards my DCI dream please let me know. Any contributions or donations are greatly appreciated and I can not thank you enough for your time. Below I have included more information about my history in the marching arts along with more information on what Blue Knights and drum corp actually is.
What is Drum Corps?
Very simply put, drum corps is the highest and most professional level of marching band. There are several different circuits of drum corps. The most selective/demanding is Drum Corps International (DCI). This is the "major leagues" to the marching arts. Many high school and college marchers look up to the members of these groups, and for good reason. Starting with initial auditions in the fall, the members of these corps go through a rigorous process to receive a spot in a corp. There are 6 weekend-long training camps that happen once a month, starting in January, that continue through to May. From there they travel to a Spring Training site for 3 weeks and then the corps set off on a cross-country tour, competing with each other and participating in parades.
My Marching Background
My Marching journey began with my freshman year of high school where I marched sousaphone with the Bentonville high school marching band. The pride is the leading marching band in the state of Arkansas. While in the pride, I got the opportunity to compete on a national level and attend many of the top Bands of America events, including Grand national championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. My junior year I was also selected to be apart of the Bands of America honor band that marched in the 2017 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena California. Outside of pride, I participated in my high school winter drumline during my freshman year. Then, for the next 3 years, I was apart of Bentonville High School's winter guard program. During my four years of high school, I fell in love with the marching activity and music in general, leading me to attend the University of Arkansas to study music. This past semester I completed my first season with the University of Arkansas Marching Band. The next step in my marching career would be marching in a top DCI corp. The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps have consistently been a finalist at Drum Corps International for the past few years. Marching with this corp would not only improve my skills as a performer but set me up for success when I begin my search for a band director position after college. Below I have included a video of The Blue Knights 2015 show "Because" for some more reference.
What is Drum Corps?
Very simply put, drum corps is the highest and most professional level of marching band. There are several different circuits of drum corps. The most selective/demanding is Drum Corps International (DCI). This is the "major leagues" to the marching arts. Many high school and college marchers look up to the members of these groups, and for good reason. Starting with initial auditions in the fall, the members of these corps go through a rigorous process to receive a spot in a corp. There are 6 weekend-long training camps that happen once a month, starting in January, that continue through to May. From there they travel to a Spring Training site for 3 weeks and then the corps set off on a cross-country tour, competing with each other and participating in parades.
My Marching Background
My Marching journey began with my freshman year of high school where I marched sousaphone with the Bentonville high school marching band. The pride is the leading marching band in the state of Arkansas. While in the pride, I got the opportunity to compete on a national level and attend many of the top Bands of America events, including Grand national championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. My junior year I was also selected to be apart of the Bands of America honor band that marched in the 2017 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena California. Outside of pride, I participated in my high school winter drumline during my freshman year. Then, for the next 3 years, I was apart of Bentonville High School's winter guard program. During my four years of high school, I fell in love with the marching activity and music in general, leading me to attend the University of Arkansas to study music. This past semester I completed my first season with the University of Arkansas Marching Band. The next step in my marching career would be marching in a top DCI corp. The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps have consistently been a finalist at Drum Corps International for the past few years. Marching with this corp would not only improve my skills as a performer but set me up for success when I begin my search for a band director position after college. Below I have included a video of The Blue Knights 2015 show "Because" for some more reference.
Organizer
Mason Moore
Organizer
Bentonville, AR