Centerville, OH show in 2001. I grew up in a very poor, orthodox, household and the trip my high school band took to this show was the highlight of my life to that point. I had no idea “band” could be so cool.
I watched the PBS broadcast of Finals in my village’s library that September after explaining to the head librarian that we didn’t have tv at home but I saw in my neighbors tv guide that it would be playing. I didn’t figure out until later that it wasn’t live.
I can’t emphasize enough how much that trip to Centerville changed my life. I was never able to afford to march but I did attend audition camps for Bluecoats in 2003, Cavaliers in 2004, and Glassmen in 2005. Those experiences will always stay with me. Hence why I’m still here!