Occasional Musings by Kevin Russell
June 25, 2024 – Western Michigan The stalwart maple tree is my friend, keeping me cool under the shade of its spreading limbs. It is another sweltering summer day in the Midwest. I am at the high school in Jenison, Michigan, a bedroom community in Grand Rapids. The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps is in residence rehearsing for the Midwest Drum Corps International … Continue Reading →
June 1, 2024 2:00 pm I’m sitting in the shade in a comfortable Adirondack chair at Castleton University in Vermont. In front of me are 24 Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps trumpeters. It is after lunch, and brass instructor Steve is leading the trumpets through a series of warmups. The tubas, baritones, and mellophones are in other locations across the campus but can … Continue Reading →
June 9, 2024, Along the Mill Brook The skis have long been put away. The leaves have returned on the trees along the Mill Brook, and the school year is coming to a close. This is a time of year filled with anticipation as I await the return of Drum Corps International (DCI) junior drum and bugle corps competitions. Planning my tour for 2024 … Continue Reading →
In 1903, the Town of Fayston constructed the iconic schoolhouse along the Mill Brook near the junction of Number Nine Hill Road and Town Highway #1, now Mill Brook Road (Vermont Route 17). The road got its name from Schoolhouse #9, which served the Fayston School District 9. Sixty years of bell ringing and the chatter of the children of Fayston ensued along the … Continue Reading →
A guide to wintertime recreation in the Mad River Valley backcountry. Backcountry skiing has a season and a place. When and where to go are the two big questions for BC enthusiasts. Where can depend on when, and vice versa. Here is a short essay on when and where to go for wintertime backcountry adventures in the Mad River Valley. Though I do not … Continue Reading →
August 16, 2023 – Along the Mill Brook Sunday, the morning after DCI the finals, I did not need audio traveling home from Indianapolis to the Mad River Valley of Vermont. The musical repertoires ingrained from weeks of intense listening to 2023 DCI drum and bugle corps shows that climaxed last night with the World Championship Finals rang in my cranium non-stop. My heavily … Continue Reading →
August 12, 2023 – Indianapolis, Indiana The past two days were a blur. Each year, I find more things to occupy my time in Indianapolis before I go into the oil can to watch the drum corps shows. Therefore, I have had less time to catch up with you daily. Preliminary and Semi-finals are in the books. The top four drum corps are ranked … Continue Reading →
August 10, 2023 – Indianapolis, Indiana 9:00 am Oh, how the days fly when you are having fun. Once again, I have made it to Indianapolis for the DCI World Championships. I am again behind in keeping up with you on my 2023 DCI tour. I left you two days ago in Ohio on the way to Canton for my last outdoor drum corps … Continue Reading →
August 7, 2023 – Along the Lincoln Highway I am woefully behind in keeping you posted on the excellent drum corps shows I have witnessed in the past three days while in Pennsylvania. Today was another travel day after two days in Allentown and one in Pittsburgh. I am just outside Canton, Ohio, in this lovely park, not far from the Football Hall of … Continue Reading →
August 4, 2023 – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 10:00 am I’m sitting here along the Delaware River on a bench that I built out of two large stones, a log, and a 12x48x2” milled board, all flotsam found on the sandy bank. I am about midway through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It is my favorite route to Allentown, with … Continue Reading →