CASTLETON, Vt. (WCAX) – One of the country’s oldest junior drum and bugle corps is preparing for a major U.S. tour, and they’ve returned to Castleton this week as a launching pad.
Young musicians are putting in long hours of work with one goal in mind — bringing strangers together for the first time.
“Being known for being so intense, I think I was nervous to meet all of the people. But once I got here, I was like, this is my family,” said Jaeda Walker, a new color guard recruit with The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps.
The Crusaders have used Vermont State University’s Castleton campus for about a decade for spring training. That includes for housing, meals, auditions, and choreography.
“Being able to come back to someplace to start our season that we’re familiar with, someplace that has all the amenities we need, and honestly, someplace that’s so isolated and where we can just set up do our thing and kind of check out from the real world for a little while,” said Jack Kaplan, the Crusaders’ tour director.
The Crusaders pack up roughly 200 high school and college-aged musicians, along with about 100 staff and an abundance of instruments and equipment for their few weeks in Vermont. Members notice the change in scenery and how it impacts their play.
“I’m in a pretty unique position because a lot of these kids are from Texas. So, they’re just happy to be out of the heat for a little. The weather’s a little rainy but we’re getting through it. It’s always kind of an adventure to rehearse in the rain,” said Marielle Chrupcala, a drum major:
Kaplan says they hope to keep Castleton as a place to prepare for each season. “We know how to take care of this campus. We’re not just going to come in, destroy everything. The town is wonderful, the university is wonderful, and you know, we’re excited to get on the road but also have the opportunity to come back here again in the future,” he said.
The Crusaders are set to perform Monday night at Dave Wolk Stadium. They hit the road at the end of June.