This summer, I will be marching for Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps in Austin, Texas. Drum corps is the experience of a lifetime for any aspiring 14-to-21-year-old brass, percussion or color guard performer. Each drum corps bus racks up thousands of miles traveling all across the country during June, July and August.

Ever since I was 14 years old, I wanted to march with a drum corps. Unfortunately, due to financial issues, I could not march until this year. This year will be my first and only year marching in a corps. After this year, I will be too old to be eligible.

Some of the reasons I wanted to audition and join were:

1. The performance experience.

As a music performance major, it is absolutely essential that I look for opportunities to perform so that I can gain experience. This will help facilitate the transition from college performance to the professional performance world.

2. Drum corps is related to how the military runs.

After I graduate from TCU, I plan on joining the U.S. Military. Drum corps is so similar to boot camp: early morning PT followed by 12 hours of non-stop physically and mentally demanding activity under the hot summer sun. There is a chain of command and orders are expected to be followed at all times.

3. Getting into shape.

Drum corps is so physically demanding that you could just stand there and burn calories. The physical training early in the morning, marching and playing at 200 beats per minute for 15 minutes is like running a marathon each and every day. Many performers will end up losing a significant percent of their body weight by the end of the summer.

4. Drum corps teaches important life lessons such as integrity, self-discipline, humility and passion.

5. Most importantly, I get to spend the summer with 149 of my closest friends.

We will be with each other 24/7 for the next two months. When we are not rehearsing, performing or eating with each other, we will all be sleeping in the same high school gym. I will be able to inspire high school and college students to soar above and beyond as well as learn how to live with people who are not part of my immediate family.