poem, written by Judy Vega, and submitted by Doris Ruchalski


ODE TO A POTENTIAL MEMBER


If you like to travel, compete and meet new friends,

Join a drum corps and be part of an old trend.

Drum corps is a musical type of sport,

In which you meet people of all different sorts.

There are people who are happy and full of craze,

and then there are people who are there, but in a haze.

The crazy people are the ones to watch out for,

Because when times are rough they are the ones who keep the sanity of the corps.

Drum Corps is full of competition and fun,

A prerequisite is that you must love working in the sun.

Though the days are long and very hot under the sun,

It all pays off when you look back at the show you've just won.

Before you go out and experience all of the fun,

Learning music and drill and all the skills it takes to be competitive must be done.

Not to say that learning the music and drill is dull and not fun,

But when it is being taught, it takes some concentration.

Learning drill is exciting and takes a bit of time,

It is also the time when the members can prove that they can walk and chew gum at the same time.

When summer comes along, it is time to perform what you've been taught.

A few rules to keep in mind while performiing your drill,

Because performing is where you get your biggest thrill.

When you perform, keep the idea of judges being around, out of your mind.

And whatever you do, please do not step over the sidelines.

Winning a show is a good time to celebrate with a corps party and have a lot of fun,

And all the memories of the long days and first degree sunburns are soon forgotten.

Drum corps is most memorable when you think of all the many experiences you've gained and all the people you've met.

The good times as well as the bad, along with the friendships you have, are hard to forget.

Go ahead and join a drum corps and disregard all the thoughts of intimidation,

Belonging to a drum corps is one heck of a sensation.

***********************

written by: Judy Vega (former Imperial)

April 1982

Note: Judy marched horn line for many years and a true Imperial corps member. I thought you would enjoy reading her poem written from the heart.

Doris (Ma Lurch) Ruchalski---June 23, 2004

What did you do in the Corps? drummer 1958-63, assistant instructor 1964-71, quartermaster 1964-66