Early in Castleton with BAC

June 2, 2026 – Castleton, VT

I am back in Castleton, Vermont, after a long hiatus. Today is the second full day of spring training for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps at Castleton University. They will be on campus and in town for over three weeks. I make an annual pilgrimage here for the first chance to watch and listen as they get the show together. I arrived today just before dinner. When I opened the car door, I could hear baritones emanating from the stadium nearby. As I sat on the cold aluminum bench at side two, I observed the entire 80-member brass ensemble rehearsing the music on and off the met and on the move under the direction of Gino Cipriani. All I can report is that you will be treated to a sonic highlight at 33-43 in the book. There is work to be done, but WOW!

While the corps went to dinner, I took a good walk along the D&H Rail Trail and came here to The Third Place Pizza for a small pie and a Vermont beverage. This place is legendary for its hospitality to BAC. You might ask, “Why would the best drum corps in the world go to a place called third place?” The First Place is Home, the Second Place is Work, and the Third Place is where you find Community. This is where the early magic happens as the adults hone their designs and coaching skills and establish esprit de corps amongst themselves after members are lights-out. For now, I am having my dinner with Bobby, another ardent BAC fan who traveled from Boston. We watched the brass together, and now we are sharing our chosen single pie with plenty to take with us. I shall return later for a little love with the staff.

I’m back in the stands to watch the evening visual block without horns. Arron is on the mic, working his visual magic, coaching the members through the choreography. Members’ voices mimic the horn part or count out the measures without horns. At 8:30 PM, some members are in sweaters, others wish they were, as the chill Vermont air slips down off the Green Mountains into the valley. This is a nice, mellow moment for me to loosen my fingers as I chronicle the Championship year with BAC. It’s very early in their transformation.

I have visited Castleton annually since 2015, when I realized that they were encamped here just 75 minutes from my humble home along the Mill Brook in Waitsfield, Vermont. This is an early visit for me. Usually, I give the corps a week or two to have enough of the show together to learn the music and get hints about the show’s theme and title. For many reasons, I needed the experience of being here with these kids and adults to bring back my spirit a little earlier this year.

Tonight, I am thinking of Tim O’Donnell, a Giant. Tim marched for the Boston Crusaders and Crossmen in the early 1990’s and is from a well-known Boston area drum corps family. Recently, Tim passed away unexpectedly. I met Tim at our local tavern, but did not know him beyond the friendly bartender. One night in late August 2017, I showed up with a Boston Crusaders’ t-shirt emblazoned with GUILTY. Tim immediately recognized it, sparking a ten-year friendship, and each year, new stories to share about my tour. Tim was a Giant in our community, the Mad River Valley, in hospitality, his independent window cleaning service, and in the music scene as a popular drummer. He will be missed by many.

The western sky has turned a dark magenta, with long, thin high clouds. Stadium lights are now needed. Aaron uses his wit, humor, and communication skills to coach these young souls through the book with highly choreographed drills and movements. Between takes, he remarks, offhandedly, “I don’t know how Vermonters can tolerate such foul smog air.” AMTRAK sounds its horn as it pulls into the otherwise sleepy town. No horns from this stadium tonight, so these kids can continue after the no-sound curfew at 9:00 PM. No rest for the weary from here on out.

I am now thinking about the 7th- and 8th-grade bands at our Middle School, for which I have the pleasure of serving as the guest teacher. I have shared a lot of my content and enthusiasm with them. I will be with them again on Thursday to give them a report. They could surely take a lesson in how to behave in rehearsal. These near-adult kids on the field give 100% attention to Aaron and the Drum Major, Maddie.

Reality check: tomorrow is a day of work on the Number Nine Schoolhouse, a local, nonprofit-driven effort to save a historic Vermont two-room schoolhouse. We are planning our first volunteer work party to clean up the schoolyard and prepare the upper classroom for music rehearsal space on Sunday. I will make an early night of it and head home. My 2026 DCI tour plans are in flux, so I will keep you posted. Burr! Note to self: bring your seat pad next time.

Peace out for now.

June 10, 2026 – Castleton, Vermont

I am back on campus at Castleton University for a few days in a row. It is mid-afternoon. Brother Garry and friends will be arriving soon. They are my touring partners. The corps is divided into sections, meaning that each horn or drum type is in small groups spread out across the campus. I’m sitting under the shade of a maple tree, equidistant between the trumpets and mellophones. John, the trumpet instructor, has moved the trumpets to a new location than last year. The James, in his 10th year with the Crusaders, is leading the mellophones. This is the high brass. They are working on snippets of show music.

My ears are searching for clues. I just heard a recognizable snippet. Like a good hunter, if you sit patiently long enough in one spot, you might bag one. When I arrived, I walked around campus to capture some photos of the kids throughout this otherwise peaceful place.

This is my second visit here this season. I expect they have come a long way since then, being that this is their 11th full day of rehearsal. Intel from volunteer, Ken, is that they have the night off from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The Vermont weather is changeable. Rain will visit over the next few days, and the heat index will climb. This early crucible will prepare them well for the slog of the summer tour. There is no shade on the stadium fields. The air is thick, not the dry air of the desert southwest, but the kind of air that opens the pores to the maximum and drenches you with any exersion.

Vermont is at its greenest. No matter which way I travel from home to Castleton, it is bucolic. Today, I took a creative way that included Route 30, the Seth Warner Memorial Highway. Seth was one of the original Green Mountain Boys who helped form the Republic of Vermont. This independent nation remained so until Vermont became the 14th state in 1791, 15 years after the Declaration of Independence.

My ears continue to be battered with bliss as the random cacophony occurs one take at a time. The repetition improves their unity of sound and my indoctrinations of the music that I will hear all summer long. The baritones are audible in the distance—such sweet wholesomeness as they harmonize through a chord progression that wafts across the campus. My guess is that they have 10 more minutes in sections, then head to the stadium for an ensemble until 6:00 PM, where I will get an earful. I will be meeting up with my drum corps brother, Garry, for the first time since August. We will be rehearsal junkies for the next few days.

I’ll keep you posted.

June 11, 2026

I’m back on campus after a stormy night at my stealth campground, the Hubbardton Battlefield. Atop the open ridgeline, with a commanding view of the landscape, was the best place to observe the thunderstorms as they passed over the rolling hills around. The comfort of the Silver Bullet clad in window screens provided a good night’s sleep on the air mattress.

An early-morning walk and breakfast with friends at the local diner set a good foundation for observing today’s drum corps rehearsals spread out across campus. Right now, the marching members are on the field doing a series of movements, steps, and warm-up drills in unison. Aaron, the modern-day drill sergeant, leads with his usual clarity and empathetic yet authoritative manner. A drill coach extrordiane. The color guard, seemingly a separate troupe within the corps, has just arrived. They will begin their own unique warm-up and physical etudes, always spinning and tossing. These are the moments that make a championship drum corps.

I’m sitting outside the stadium with the stands blocking the oppressive sun. It’s late afternoon, and the kids are still at it. I am joined by my same-time-next-year friends. These are members of the unaffiliated, unforgettable, non-credentialed drum corps. I have been looking forward to this reunion, as I have needed a little help to lift my spirit from the many wrongs that we are experiencing. I get by with little help from my friends.

June 12, 2026

Day 13 of spring training. Yesterday, I was completely exhausted by the end of the daylight, which went long this mid-June. That and a fine Vermont beverage at the Third Place made for a great night’s sleep in casa de Volvo at an undisclosed location tucked in the quietest place in the world, an old cemetery up in the hills out of town. Here lie the bodies of the American revolutionaries and the British combatants, mostly German Mercenaries who fell on that fateful day in Hubbardton, Vermont, one year and three days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This morning, I awoke refreshed and ready for another long day of listening, watching, and learning. Earlier, I took a 6-mile walk around the campus trails, the D&H Rail Trail, and the village sidewalks, and back through the campus. Nancy at the diner was kind to fill my water bottle again.

My research at the campus sports center led me to the shower location, after which I stopped by Special Effects Hair Salon to inquire about a walk-in summer cut. As luck would have it, Mary had a cancellation in 20 minutes. This provided enough time to stop into Michelle’s bakery next door for an everything bagel. Much more chiseled and less grizzled, and a head that better fits the ball cap, I have arrived back here in the conference center on campus, my temporary office. I have found that colleges make great way stations while on tour. You can reliably find air conditioning, a bathroom, a water fountain, power, and WIFI—all the things a traveling writer needs. And, if you’re lucky, a piano will be available for play.

Yesterday, I visited the Fine Arts Center and the music department and found a happy little Steinway. My new ballad is coming along nicely.

I have really settled in here in this quiet little college town and campus. Today will be another day of listening, looking for clues to the show theme, repertoire, and title. It will also be a day filled with reunions, as many board members of Inspire Arts and Music, the parent nonprofit, will arrive on campus for a weekend retreat. I will keep you posted.

June 13, 2026

Yesterday was so hot here that I put my computer in the cooler with the Vermont beverages so it would upload to the iCloud. This heat did not deter the mighty Giants-in-training on the hot turf. It was another morning of early exercise and movement, sectionals, and small ensembles working together on the field. The pit came and went. A train of electronics followed. The virtuosity of the musicians and the dexterity of the marchers are matched, modified, and amplified by the engineer’s soundscape in modern drum corps. This corps is no exception and has ante’d up.

I picked up some new clues, including a well-known song, which punctuates what I am hearing, including what I think is part of the ballad. The movements and choreography tell me a lot about cooperation, lifting up, and cross-sectional interaction. The visible landscape is barren, devoid of intrusions. Towers surround to shape the soundscape. Body, brass, and soul push each other forward, together. This is what a drum corps is.

I am in the sports center’s entry lobby, working at a makeshift table and a power outlet nearby. In a few minutes, I have a Zoom meeting with the North Country Trail Association board of directors. I serve on the board representing Vermont, one of the eight northern border states that the trail traverses. I opted out of meeting in person this year due to so many conflicts, including being here today for some early drum corps. During my walk this morning, I learned that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will be on campus for the Breakfast and Hike with Bernie event. I moved my campus office from the conference center lobby because he and his staff are occupying it this morning. How coincidental that these two interests of mine converge here today.

June 14, 2026

Yesterday was a whirlwind. My Zoom meeting had technical difficulties, so I bailed at the 10:15 AM break and headed to the Bernie event. I arrived at the large tent next to the stadium, where breakfast of coffee and bagels was served, and Bernie made a short speech. Too late to join the hike, I helped the staff with cleanup and had some star time moments advocating for the North Country Trail.

When the hikers returned, I had a Vermont moment. I saw four of my very best friends who had come to hike with Bernie. They were a few of the outdoor group of hikers, skiers, bikers, kayakers, and music makers that I have been trying to explain drum corps to for ten years. Now, I had them here, in the moment, for some first-person, in-your-face introduction that no words can fully describe.

They were camping at the nearby Lake St. Catherine State Park and decided to hang out with me through the afternoon. We sat in the stadium together through the afternoon rehearsal, hunkered under our umbrellas, the oppressive heat index well over 100 degrees. They were completely awed by what they were experiencing. Colin expertly directed the percussion rehearsal for the battery and pit. He praised, elevated, and exalted the members’ skills, talent, and dedication to perfecting the pieces he composed.

He exclaimed how satisfying it is to see it come to life through their execution. My friends now understand my enthusiasm for this extraordinary activity. I encouraged them to come back for the 7:00 PM ensemble. And, lo, they did! Plans are being made to return for Community Night on the 22nd. I try with a little help from my friends.

June 22, 2026

Well, Mother Nature has intervened again. The radar over the Green Mountain State is solid green, indicating the steady rain. This is no fast-moving cell; rather, an hours-long, moderate soaking rain. That is the ingredient for canceling drum corps performances. This is much to the disappointment of the Castleton Community, which has been anticipating this night to witness a full performance of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps’ 2026 show, the title of which has not yet been announced.

This has not deterred the author from making another visit to give them a good send-off, and perhaps get some more clues about what the heck they are doing this season as they defend their 2025 Championship. I am outside of the large open-sided structure next to the stadium, just under the eave out of the rain. The low brass is inside for the afternoon block. My ears are peeled. JP just arrived to lead the rehearsal, as announced by the ruckus from the members who greeted him thusly at the beginning of each rehearsal. I have just been invited inside out of the rain. The met begins the air-only exercise.

The met is short for metronome. It is what the members rely on to stay in time across such a large ensemble spread out over a 1.32-acre field during early rehearsals. When they perform, they will rely on the drum major’s hands. The low brass are going through the usual hornline warm-up that they will do before each show during the season.

It’s been about an hour. The rain has slacked, providing an opportunity for a campus walk. All the sections have moved to their outdoor locations, creating a soundscape of snippets across campus. Another wave of rain is forthcoming, likely sending this observer home without learning anything new about the repertoire, theme, or title.

June 25, 2026 – East Montpelier, Vermont

I’m sitting here at VT Crossroads Auto Care in East Montpelier. The Silver Bullet, my aging Volvo wagon, is in for a checkup before going on tour again this year. Marcie, the mechanic, has diagnosed critical needs, and new rear brakes are now being installed. I chose this place as the new care provider for the remainder of its life, as needed. Marcie is a no BS, no pressure, season Volvo service technician. Last year, I drove a rental because of a back-ordered part. This year, I will be prepared.

This provides me the downtime needed to follow up with you on the status of my upcoming tour. My next trip will be to the Boston area on July 1st for an exhibition performance of BAC at the historic field in Lynn, MA. They will be joined by the Open Class Champion Spartans from Nashua, NH, and the 7th Regiment from New London, CT. This will be the first public showing of the 2026 program, title yet to be announced. My friend Mary will be joining me for the Lynn show.

The following night will be another similar event in Nashua, NH, hosted by the Spartans. These two performances, though not being scored, will provide the corps with valuable experience touring regionally before hitting the road for the long slog across the country.

After the Nashua performance, I will say goodbye to BAC for the bulk of the tour before their return to Lawrence, MA, at the end of July. That is not to say that I will be devoid of drum corps. My next trip will be to California for another dab at the early performance of the California corps and the visiting Bluecoats from Canton, OH, at the Rose Bowl. This will be my third visit to the famous Pasadena stadium, another favorite venue hosted by Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps. Returning to Vermont, I will be going with the Flo again until NightBEAT in Winston-Salem, NC, my favorite East Coast venue, hosted by Carolina Crown. I will be flying the friendly skies. Then, a short two days home before the end-of-season auto tour begins.

This is the rapid-fire 6-day, 6-show tour to Boston, Allentown, Downingtown, Akron, and Dayton before we arrive in Indianapolis for the DCI World Championships. I will be joined on a caravan by friends and members of the informal, unforgettable, and unaffiliated drum corps. These are the fellow disciples whom I have enjoyed so much in the past 10 years that I would not otherwise have known but for my interest in this amazing summertime passion.