Sulphur Springs High School student, Shelby Blezinger, introduced the 150 members of
the Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps to her hometown of Sulphur Springs.

 

Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps
Brings Their Gypsy Road Trip
To Sulphur Springs

by: Bobby McDonald

It was just another routine day for the 150 members of the Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps, as they arrived in Sulphur Springs, late Sunday night, slept in Sulphur Springs High School, and were up and on the field at Gerald Prim Stadium, practicing by 8:00, according to Linda Blezinger, one of the group's adult sponors from Sulphur Springs. Linda joined the group as a sponsor, when her daughter, Shelby Blezinger, a Sulphur Springs High School Senior, joined the group for the second summer, and states that she's truly enjoyed being "Mom" to the young people all summer.

 

 

The summer activities for the group began on May 27th, where they assembled to begin practices and "hit the road" for their first performance on June 19th, in Rockford, Illinois. Thus far, they have done over 20 shows and will complete approximately 31 shows before returning for the World Finals in Indianapolis, on August 7th & 8th. "It's truly a gypsy lifestyle and the students practice all day, as they have been here in Sulphur Springs, and go back in and eat a meal, clean up, and travel during the night," stated Linda. "We'll board the buses at approximately 9:30 p.m. tonight and are headed for a show in Van Buren, Arkansas, on Tuesday!"

 

 

 

 

"This group hasn't been as fortunate as some, to be able to stay in dorm type situations, in some of the cities that they travel through," continued Linda. "They are real troopers, as they've stayed in high schools, throughout this trip!"

 

 

The group is made-up of 150 students from all across the U.S., with two members of the corps being from Japan. Three students, including Shelby Blezinger from Sulphur Springs, are from Northeast Texas. Rubin Rodriguez and Savanah Scherring, are both students at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Students range in age from 16-21 and devote their summer to the corps, as they travel across the U.S.

 

 

 

 

DCI (Drum Corps International) makes the schedule for the stops and has 22 such groups touring the U.S., this summer. Then, they will all meet back in Indianapolis for the World Finals in August. The group that made their way to Sulphur Springs has already completed performances in South Dakota, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and have just completed their Texas Tour, with shows in Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.

 

 

Corp members, Savanah Scherring, left foreground, and Ruben Rodriguez, right, are both students at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

 

"Many of the students weren't accustomed to the heat in Texas," explained Linda Blezinger. "And, I think many of them are looking forward to traveling to some place cooler!"

 

 

 

"It's been a great, great experience and I feel certain that Shelby will join the group each summer, as long as she is eligible!" related Linda. "Our son, Drew, spent five summers with DCI, until he became too old to participate and loved every minute of it. He's here tonight to cheer this group on!"

 

 

 

A quick sandwich, a trip under the shower, and the group was loading on the buses for another stop in Arkansas, as they make their way back to Indianapolis. "The summer has really gone fast and this is a great group of kids to work with!" exclaimed Linda Blezinger, as she got ready to leave family behind, to continue her travels. "We're looking forward to the national competition and returning to Sulphur Springs, once the tour is over. But, we'll have some wonderful memories and friendships to take back with us!"

 

 

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