A Boston Crusader

Thank! The sops are using Bach 3C mouthpieces, hard to go wrong with that (it’s the mouthpiece that I personally use as well).

Oops. No, kinda fell by the wayside this season. Maybe next year.

First off, being worried about it is perfectly natural. Understandable that you might think a 20-year-old college student has a better shot at making any drum corps than a 14-year-old high schooler. In a few cases you'd be right. But the most impressive thing is breaking that mold.One of the mellos last year, Grace, was 14 when she made lead mello. Not only that, she was one of the better performers during the summer. In the end, it's about your preparedness at the audition. Whenever I prepared my material, I channeled any anxiety I had into getting better. I became more critical of myself. I practiced until I could not get it wrong. You gotta ask yourself, "Would I place myself in that drum corps? Am I good enough?" And then keep practicing until you can say "Yes."

If by that you mean the MP3 recording of the show, there are online links that have unofficial recordings and I'm sure DCI will release the audio recordings sometime in the next few months.If you mean the sheet music for the show, that content is protected material and not available to the public.

This past summer, the mellophones used custom Pickett mouthpieces. However, in the past the section has used Hammond 6 (used in 2015) and DEG 6V mouthpieces (2013).

Today was banquet. I cried a lot and put my rain jacket to use. I had a decent amount of time at the airport, so I ended up hanging out with a big group of Boston/drum corps kiddos at my gate. Apparently a lot of us had a layover in Atlanta. Sara Bowden was on my flight, along with Aidan! Layover in Atlanta. And a nice flight home. I'm in a bed in a hotel room, and I have college band camp tomorrow. This summer was such a rewarding summer. I learned how to do things that I would have never imagined(like back bends and lifts and crazy dynamics and pushing myself mentally). The entire corps pushed ourselves every single day and performed every show like it was our last, and it paid off. I could care less about scores and placements. Do I wish we placed higher? Yes. Am I affected by it? Not at all. As long as I made it to the end of the season with my family, that's all that matters. I really liked this summer entry thing, and I hope you guys enjoyed the change from Santi to me. Thank you for reading my daily adventures, and stay tuned for the years to come! This corps is made of Giants We will never die. Coral Navarre BAC Soprano '14, '15, '16

August 13th, Indianapolis, IN

Finals day. And time to say goodbye. I had a lot of time for breakfast for once, so I took advantage. It was breakfast burritos! The last Tina block was bittersweet. He filmed us doing the plié exercise and then Idle for the last time. I had a lot of fun doing it and so did everyone else. Tina then had us make a big circle and we did a massage train that was super relaxing. I was in a Brandon sandwich. We didn't do a vis block because there was death rain on the way, so we went straight to brass. Warmed up quickly and then played Giant for the Age outs. Bittersweet. Ensemble was quick. We practically did productions runs of each movement to avoid the rain. We didn't have props or the pit, so a run through wasn't going to happen. We ended up finishing early, and I left my water jug on the field on my way to warm down. Luckily, Ruth picked it up for me on her way back. ESL was so great. I practically did everything within an hour and the got food. I was able to snag a Bass 2 head with the Don Quixote image on it. Got a few people to sign it and then I'll have the rest sign it tomorrow. Last day of kitchen loading went well too. We took a pic of the two crews. The ride to the show was hype. Warm up ended up being inside because of the weather and it was great. I had a great show and that's all that mattered. I left everything I had out on that field and that is the best feeling of all. Lots of tears were shed. We set up our block for retreat early because of rain, yet again. The rain really put a damper on the vibe today. Retreat was retreat. Kevin kept on telling my name from the stands so that was amusing. I cried a lot at the corps meeting, but not as much as years past, probably knowing that I will be seeing everyone at banquet tomorrow. I will do an entry tomorrow, because I feel that my journey isn't done yet. Goodnight Boston.

One day more. We did it. In Tina today, the guard performed "Controversy" for us and it was great. Hopefully they do another one again tomorrow. When we were stretching, there was a sudden burst in rain that really hyped us. Vis was fun. We only rehearsed the end of each movement, which I thought was a good idea. After vis, right on to brass. They pushed us today. Brass staff was strict with all their critique because they wanted us to kick butt in rehearsal, which we did. Ensemble was fun. We did a lot of one-and-dones. Worked on some timing problems before our Twinkle section. My aunt showed up and took some pictures! The run was fun. We played giant and I cried. Today was difficult because we all knew it could have been our last. Warm up was great. Ben's parents and brother were at warmup so it was a bit awkward, but I used it to power my performance, if that makes sense. The bus ride to the show was dead silent. Everyone was focused. I cried when we sang Giant. Again, not knowing whether or not it was our last time. We threw down on the field. It was focused, and I also had fun performing with everyone around me. Tears after our meeting and lots of hugs. We all knew we had a great performance and we didn't care about what was to happen after. I went with a large group of friends to Hard Rock and had dinner there. On the way, we found out that we made finals!! I didn't believe it at first, but as more messages came in, it was real. Patrick twerked at an intersection and more hugs were made. I had a burger and a milkshake, and a parent paid for my meal, which was actually amazing. I wasn't expecting it, and I wanted to pay him back, but he was just so kind, so I went up to him and thanked him. Hung out with Kevin and watched some corps perform. Then we watched some of the scholarship presentations and left at the beginning of the age out ceremony. I saw Cari, Jacob, and Zach after the show and got to catch up. It's so cool knowing that my group of friends from USAAAMB (those that are marching this season) will all be at finals! Last night on my air mat, last night saying goodnight to the sops. I love this corps, and I can't wait for tomorrow. Goodnight Boston

Two days. Prelims day. -5.5 hour block with a great run through -pretty chill ESL with a refreshing shower in the shower truck -best show hair yet -we had a crowd applaud for us at the end of our warm up -lots of sweat bees -amazing prelims run. By far the best for me. -pizza after the show -walked around with Ben, Josh, and Daniel -watched Ben's GoPro run -a very special night Goodnight Boston

Three days. Woke up pretty tired. But that's okay because it's the last rehearsal day! We had a full hour of Tina and it'll probably be the last full one we have. We worked on cartwheels and they have been the best for me yet. We also performed an improv routine for each other and I lost my shoe right at the end. It was hella humid out and there were copious amounts of sweat bees on our bodies. I caught three by their wings. Cleaned some closer drill in vis and the usual box rotations in part three. Sara came back today and it was so uplifting! The first block was really long, but it ended on a high note, knowing that we cleaned the closer. The weather started to get really bad during lunch and we had to move our stacks inside. All of the sudden, lord death rain came down on us and we were basically stuck inside. Since we have no where to really rehearse inside for each section, staff gave the corps some nap time for the majority of the middle block till it cleared up for a bit. Once we woke up, we moved our things to the sides of the room and brass started off in the boy's room. We tried arcing, but ended up doing some buzzing work with Steve. I really liked it. Tim Salzman then had us go outside so he could work on some parts in our show for the last 20 min of the block. Ensemble was pretty good. The fields aren't too bad. They're a bit thick, but my drill isn't as intense as Animal Farm, so I survived. My hearing aid was giving me trouble during block, much feedback, no Bueno. So I gave it to Jenna to hold on to for the rest of block. I had an ear/headache for the rest of ensemble. The run was great. And my chops weren't as dead as they normally are! Prelims tomorrow!!!!! Goodnight Boston

We got 4.5 hours of floor time and it was great. I was in such a great mood. Tina block was nice and quick. We did an improv to "Pure Imagination" and covered an entire field/roadway. After Tina, we did brass for about an hour and then left for LUCAS OIL STADIUM! We rehearsed at Lucas Oil for 6 hours. Mainly worked on timing errors in the ensemble and such. Brass played the entire time, every rep, at full volume. So I guess you can say that our chops were dead. I filmed a GoPro on the last run through. Our housing site doesn't have showers, so the corps rented out shower trucks. They're Box 5 showers but take forever to use. Got back to the housing site and iced my face for the last half hour. Last rehearsal day tomorrow! Goodnight Boston

I feel like I spelled the city wrong, but I'm too lazy to check. Got so much floor time and my body felt rejuvenated. Pre ESLed and got ready for the day ahead. We only did Idle Delilah with Tina today but it was worth it. He made us watch each other in separate groups and evaluate one another's performance as aside to technique. I got called out and complimented on my performance and how I go all out. It felt really good being called out since it's never quite happened before. Did some vis and cleaned a few sets of drill. Just got those reps back under our belts. There were more high schoolers watching our rehearsal and brass staff let them sit in the arc. I always love when they do that because it reminds me of when I was their age seeing drum corps. We had a 30 min meal and it wasn't as bad as the others, probably because we didn't have to set the arc. Ensemble was pretty fun. Brass staff has been focusing on having us channel our emotions more instead of thinking about the hard details. I'm still thinking of my scenarios to relate to, but I'll get them. The show tonight was pretty great. Long vis warmup and a simple brass warmup. The brass had an amazing show and then we did encore. I lived during encore. It was probably the last time playing Shipping this year and I took advantage. Foxy' parents got us an entire ice cream sundae bar and I got myself some mint chocolate chip with lots of toppings. Last bus ride tonight and then on to Indy! Tomorrow's rehearsal is going to be spectacular. Goodnight Boston

6 days. So our housing site has a field that is basically a carpet. Rehearsal felt like a normal rehearsal to me. We cleaned some drill, warmed up, and then did ensemble. Is wasn't bad because the field is as flat as calm water and it was amazing to march on. Today was an awful chop day for me and it felt like it was move ins all over again. Frack city. ESL was super chill since we aren't changing housing sites. Someone brought the entire corps brand new baseball caps/flat bills. I think it was a thing for all the corps performing at the TOC show tonight. I got myself a Houston Jazz hat. Chill bus ride. I watched some YouTube, got into halves early, and took a nap. We performed at the Buffalo Bills stadium and it was pretty neat. We had a nice, long warm up. It was super windy and my lips had wind burn so it didn't make them feel any better. I was able to snag myself a show pillow case at the souvie booth as well. Hung out with Aaron, Laura, Ben, Andrew, Dylan, and Caleb at the stadium for a bit. Did some hot seat on the bus and then everyone went to sleep. I just told stories with Keenan and Laura the entire time so that was pretty neat. Pizza for snack Goodnight Boston

7 days We pulled up to Dieruff and ended up waiting two hours till we got to go inside. Once we did, I put my laundry away and got about an hour of floor time, which I was fine with. Rehearsal was rough. The grass hurt more than normal and we repped the hardest part of my show numerous times. It also hit me hard today about how I wont be going home after the season is over. I will be going straight to college and begin the path I have been waiting to go on for so long. It rained a bit at the beginning of block, so I tested jumping on the prop to see how wet it was. It wasn't as wet as I expected, but my right foot clipped the edge and tripped me, causing my to have a graceful fall on the prop. The run was rough. My body hurt from the stupid grass and my face hurt from playing so loudly. Mike Woodall gave us an amazing motivational speech. He got slightly emotional, but it was all for the corps. As soon as we pulled up to the show, it started to pour for a while, so I just took a nap, and woke up when it was time to get off the bus. I had my best show yet. I almost really hurt my foot getting off a prop, but I completely forgot about it. The crowd was amazing, and I couldn't get over how we got J. Birney Crum to stand. By far a highlight of the night. I hung out with Kevin till our BIS and we watched some corps. I also took my horn to the brass guy to get my mouthpiece out and he managed to do it! My mouthpiece is a bit scratched up from the puller, but it's still functional. The bus ride was very fun. I'm listening to "The Man of La Mancha" soundtrack and it's helping me think a bit. Goodnight Boston

Last day in Boston for the season. We tried doing an improv session in Tina but he cut it short due to time. In vis, we cleaned the last portion of the closer and got lots of clarity out of it. Brass warmup was really quick, just so we could get the blood to our faces. Ensemble went really well in my opinion. My mouthpiece got stuck last night and Steve tried getting it out with a puller, but it didn't work. He said I'll be the "model group" for when the hornline buzzes in arc. There were alumni in the stands during the run and they loved every second of it. Staff was even motivating us throughout the run. ESL was chill. I got some more ice cream from the truck and sat outside the busses for a while. A good time to think and reflect. Drove to laundry and did it pretty well. I got some panera. French onion soup and steak and cheese sandwich. Very comforting. I also got some coffee which was delish. History night was tonight as well. We did it at the Most Precious Blood Church again! When we sang giant, it was magical. It was almost like the echoes were those of past, Crusaders. Cried and hugged some special Crusaders. Drove to Walmart. I didn't need much, but there were some things I needed since I'm still a bit sick. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any of them because the lines closed early. It's not a big deal, there's one more week of drum corps. I'm tired, and ready to throw down tomorrow. Goodnight Boston

4th of July was a month ago.. I woke up today and "blossomed", ready for the day that was ahead. Breakfast was donuts and bagels, courtesy of Rick Woodall. I got my usual Boston creme and a fruit cup. I'm kinda feeling better from my cold, but kinda not better. It's just annoying. Vis block was fun. We worked a lot on one small chunk in QuiXotiC with Tina, and it was just running for me. After Tina, we proceeded to work on part two and solidified the tempo change. My legs seize up halfway through the rep and it actually sucks. But it's drum corps. We also cleaned the final half of the drum break and I finally know my crossing counts and who I go by. I just love cleaning. The last hour and a half of the block was for brass. We did a lot of reps the first time and it felt so good. I had to run to go poop half way through and ran around the school to find an open bathroom. Burgers for lunch! Ensemble wasn't all that bad. We did all of one and two in one rep, which kinda sucked, but if you think about it, we do that in a show almost every day. The run was energetic in my opinion. One of my events tried a new visual, but it was too crazy to put in the show, so we'll deal with it tomorrow. Mike Woodall bought us ice cream from the ice cream truck and it was the greatest thing ever. Both of the Woodall brothers are the best. ESP was super easy for me since food wasn't ready right away, and not that many people were in the showers. The show tonight was great. Something happened half way through our performance that threw me off, but it doesn't matter anymore. I finished my paper for my class tonight.. Finally done. Boston is coming out with full force and we aren't slowing down anytime soon. Rehearsal day followed by history night and our last laundry/Walmart! Goodnight Boston.