By Kylie Galaviz | September 2024
Taking a risk for the chance of doing something you love is life changing. As an oboist, the course of my life in the past seven years has been very structured and catered specifically to my instrument, by orchestras, wind ensembles, and symphonies. However, as soon as I immersed myself in the drum corps culture, which does not include oboists, I was willing to risk it all.
We all know marching band is a form of visual art that creates entertainment through music and movement on a field. It’s most known for enhancing the football game experience by playing thrilling stand tunes that radiates spirit throughout the stadium. However, there is another category of marching arts, the elite form, known as Drum Corps International. DCI is a nonprofit organization that consists of around 40 different drum corps from across the Nation. Each corps consists of young musicians that go on a tour, in the summer months, performing their show to thousands of fans across the country. Once I saw a video of this activity and heard others in my band talking about it, I was met with so much awe. After immersing myself in the DCI culture these past few years, I knew I wanted to give myself a chance to experience this. I have a deep love and passion for this niche art form, and it became my dream to march a World Class drum corps.
One unique thing about DCI is the wind section only consists of brass instruments. I’ve been an oboe player for seven years and marched alto saxophone for the past three years of high school marching band. As a senior, why shouldn't I stick with what I've always done, playing a woodwind instrument? Simple: I made a promise to myself that I was going to join a DCI corps as soon as possible, and I would not break that promise. Facing impossible ambitions, my family was super supportive and in January 2023, they bought me a mellophone to start learning to play. During my senior year, I decided I was going to march with the brass section in hopes of pursuing my dreams. I’ve never touched a brass instrument until now, so I got to work. During the spring, I had private lessons every week and kept a daily practice log to keep myself motivated. After a couple of months, I made great progress and felt confident in my abilities on a foreign instrument.
2023 Summer band camp started to roll around, and my peers at school started figuring out what I was doing. My friends showed me great support, and when they saw me practicing, they’d shower me with compliments or constructive criticism; it truly made me feel optimistic about my impossible dream. However, a batch of good apples always comes with bad ones. I had individuals talk down on me for what I was doing, which genuinely made me question myself. In truth, these people shattered my confidence and made me feel like I had made a senseless decision. After some time, I realized I was doing this for myself and for the life-changing experience drum corps would give me. I didn't need people telling me what was best for me or how they felt about my personal decision.
In January 2024, I went to an audition camp for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps who are based out of San Antonio, Texas. The nerves I felt over the course of the audition weekend were unreal, but a hint of excitement couldn’t help but shine through. I don’t remember much of the audition because of how nervous I was, but I know I left the room with a smile on my face. At the end of the audition camp, I was pulled aside by the mellophone techs, Libby and Joe who were evaluating us, and I had no idea my life was about to change. Joe said to me, “On the behalf of Libby and I, we would like to offer you a contract for the 2024 Crossmen season,” clearly very excited. He went on assuring me they saw notable talent in my abilities and would love to have me in their World Class hornline. I could not fathom that I was having this conversation; I was honestly just waiting to wake up. From that day on, I will forever be thankful for the risk I took to purse my passion.
August 2024, I completed my rookie season at the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. I ended the season as visual rookie of the year and had the best experience I’ve had in the 18 years I’ve been alive. I learned so much about myself and realized how I can do anything if I work hard enough for it. Looking back, when doubt from myself and others seemed to pile higher than I could have imagined, I pushed through and can now say I marched with a World Class drum corps. I’m proud of myself for learning an entirely new instrument and going out of my comfort zone for even a glimpse of a dream coming to reality. The risk that made me question everything now has me questioning what I’d be doing had I not taken it.