As soon as the performers before us left the field, we were told to start moving. I was bursting with excitement. I, this being my first year of marching with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, was about to perform in front of thousands of screaming fans in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Being our Finals night performance, my brass brothers and sisters all wished each other good luck as we entered the field through the left hand corner of the field.
I took to being the last person in my row to absorb the sight of my dream coming true after years of hoping and trying. As if it could get any better, it turns out that we were first in Semifinals, slightly ahead of the Blue Devils. As I get overwhelmed by the energy of the stadium, one of my fellow tuba players taps me on my shoulder. We march side by side in the opener, and he noticed I was lagging behind him. He grins, just as excited as I am, and I return it.
We take our places on the field, and just before I got into what I refer to as "Drum Corps Mode", I hear, as board as the sunset, my name screamed from the stands. Tears streak across my face, knowing the people I love have come all the way to Indianapolis to support me. I see the drum major staring at us, a sign to get in position. Once we do, he nods. From the loud speakers that cuts off most of the chatter, the annoucer says, "On the field, from Fort Mill, South Carolina, performing their 2014 production , *insert show title here*, Drum Corps International is proud to present, Carolina Crown!" That gets the crowd all riled up again. After a moment of cheering, the announcer starts again. "Drum Major *insert name here*, is your corps ready?" Our Drum Major turns around, looks to the crowd, and salutes them. He spins to face us, and raises his hands, indicating we're about to start.
The moment I have been waiting for finally happens. The moment I play the first note on my horn, I begin to experience the joy of playing with all these fantastic people. The joy of hearing beautiful sounds coming out of our instruments, the crowd cheering with every enjoyable spectacle. The joy of learning complicated visual steps, and performing them with mastery. This is the joy I have so badly wanted to experience. Everything coming together in beautiful harmony.
This is the dream that I want to reach, the goal I have set my mind to. The feeling that everything you have done has lead up to that moment. And while I have a long way to go, I know that with patience, determination, and practice, I will one day hear the crowd roaring with anticipation, the raw power of each individual player. This is my dream, the dream of a drum corps fan.
