Name, age, hometown: Allyson Fairchild, 18, Fruitland, Idaho ^
What corps are you in and what is your role this summer?
I’m on the color guard, more specifically the rifle line, with the Troopers. ^
Give us your full drum corps/marching music background: This is my third year with the Troopers, and before that I marched four years with my high school color guard at Fruitland High School.
How did you decide to be a member of your corps?
A few different reasons: Support from my band director, who was a former brass instructor with the Troopers, helped convince me. My color guard captain my freshman and sophomore year of high school was also the flag captain at the Troopers at the time, and after talking to her and to former Troopers drum major Mike Gough — he’s a pretty convincing guy — I decided to join the Troopers.
What first attracted you to the drum corps activity?
I just love to spin, and I have since the third day I started. Haha, the first two days were pretty rough, but everything came together on the third day and I’ve loved it ever since.
What advice would you give to young people who want to march?
Don’t wait. You can only march until you’re 21 with a junior corps. You can do whatever you want for the rest of your life.
Do you have any favorite road anecdotes?
Mike Freelend talked about the Phillies game so I will leave that one alone. I would say the funniest part about last summer was trying to catch a parallel in a one-armed pushup position on our backs after throwing a parallel. It reminds me of a Larry the Cable Guy joke that went something like “Go to Arbys, order two sammich, give them a five and a dime and watch the fun begin.”
The last good book I read: “2010 — Odyssey Two” by Arthur C. Clarke. I usually don’t like sci-fi-type stuff, but my dad made me read the book because it was the movie he was watching while my mom was in labor. Haha.
The last great film I saw: Well, in theaters it was “Hostage.” That movie was so scary — but the last good movie I saw anywhere was “Super Troopers.” That’s my favorite movie and I own it.
Where I go to school and what I’m studying: I go to Idaho State University and I’m majoring in pre-law.
Jobs I have/have had: Right now I’m unemployed because nobody is interested in hiring me for barely over a month. My last job was teaching a color guard at Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho. I’ve also worked at Albertsons for a few months and Arby’s for a few days.
Three CDs I’d want on a deserted island: Alice in Chains, “Best of the Box”; Larry the Cable Guy, “Lord I Apologize”; and a mixed CD that my good friend Brian made for me: “Sir Fletch-a-lot’s mixes,” that has a bunch of rap songs on it.
My favorite TV show: Without a doubt “Seinfeld.” Best show ever.
Favorite performers: The Black Eyed Peas. I went to one of their concerts last April and they had so much energy it was amazing and a blast to be at.
How do you “blow off steam?”
I spin my rifle, usually indoors with my music turned up loud and my dorm room locked. Haha.
What has been your formative drum corps moment?
My very first camp, finally being around people that enjoyed what they were doing as much as I did. I was so used to the half-effort that most high school marching bands have, because people are there for a class or not necessarily because they have a passion for it. And at my first drum corps camp, it was amazing to experience or see all the passion in every single person that was there. Feeling that passion is what keeps me coming back year after year.
Best drum corps show ever: I haven’t seen a lot of really old shows. I do remember stealing a tape from an old dance instructor of mine that had finals of 2001 recorded right in the middle of an intense Richard Simmons workout tape. I watched that tape (not the Richards Simmons portion, but the shows) and I loved the Cavaliers “Four Corners” show that year.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
A few of my really good friends are aging out this year and I’m looking forward to spending one last summer with them.
Best thing about being in a drum corps: Everything. There isn’t anything that I could say was terrible about the summer. I hate running in the mornings and I hate the really hot weather and extremely high humidity, but at the same time I love all that stuff. And I wouldn’t give them up for the world.
Worst thing about being in a drum corps: When it ends.
During tour, the best part of the day is: Immediately following any show. When the corps hits their last note, the drummers hit their last beat, and the color guard hits their last pose. The final release of energy to the crowd. It’s just an amazing feeling.
During tour, the worst part of the day is: When you have to use the bathroom and you’re in the middle of rehearsal.
Favorite drum corps personality and why: The former drum major of the Troopers, Mike Gough. He was the main reason I decided to march in the first place and his enthusiasm and commitment was just refreshing. And as much as I hated waking up in the morning I think I’m going to miss him waking up this year now that he’s gone.
What I want to be when I “grow up”: I really don’t know yet. I’m majoring in pre-law so I guess I’d like to be a lawyer. Maybe the next (more feminine version of) Johnny Cochran.
Describe what you think a typical DCI show will look in 2015.
I really have no idea. And I don’t think I have anything somewhat funny to say either because it’ll probably make me look like an idiot.
Feel free to add anything else you’d like: Drum corps, and especially the Troopers, is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. If anybody is undecided about whether they want to march or not, do it. It’s a lot of hard work, but in the end I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Fortunately four very close friends will be touring with The Cadets this summer as either administration, or visual staff, so I’m very excited. Having them around will be great. I get to see a ton of others at random shows. They always bring me food and Gatorade.
Thank you guys — I love Gatorade on tour. My sister flew down from New York this past Saturday, and she is leaving tonight. It has been great to spend time with her, but it’s a little depressing that she’s leaving so soon. Back to Jethro the Lizard for a bit. I received an e-mail from a reader named Damien a week or so ago, who of course wanted to know what happened to Jethro.
Damien marched East Coast Jazz and had a story of his own to tell me about a frog that some of the horn line befriended during spring training. It was definitely a surprise to hear a similar story! Here it is: “It was during death camp (all days, everydays – whatever you call them). It was around 105 degrees and 98 percent humidity that day. We had to call the ambulance about three times, and on the third time the staff told us to take a few minutes to cool down.
While us members found what little shade we could, we saw this toad just hopping along on the hot blacktop. “One of our baritone players, Jill, said we could save him. She brought him in to the shade. We named him Xavier (we think he was a he), because that was the name of one of the baritone players that vanished before death camp — we thought he came back to us as a frog.
Jill ended up placing him in her empty water bottle because it was cool in there.” Just like the Jethro story, I couldn’t put the full version in here, so if you want to know the rest of the story, and I’m sure you do, just send Damien an email at [email protected] and put “Xavier” in the subject line. Well, the next time I write, I’ll be up in Allentown, Pa., doing the call-a-thon, which is a fundraiser for the corps. On Sunday George Hopkins is taking the 10 of us who are doing it to a Phillies game, and then Monday and Thursday we will be working in the office during the day, and making calls for a few hours at night. I did it last year, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.
I’ll be back next week to let you know how cold it is in Pennsylvania. Until then, take care and thanks for reading!
Paula Hyman is a fourth-year member of the Cadets where she is the mellophone section leader. She is 20 years old and currently single. Originally from South Florida, Paula recently made the move to Allentown, Pa., to work for YEA!, the umbrella organization of the Cadets, Crossmen and the U.S. Scholastic Band Association. She ages out in 2006.
