Music City Drum and Bugle Corp perform piece honoring veterans in 'Gasoline Rainbows'

The temperatures have been hot this summer and the Music City Drum and Bugle Corp is making it hotter with their sensational sounds of music as they blaze the practice fields at Humboldt High School.

Preparing for their upcoming tour, the group temporarily moved into the city on May 28 for their official band camp and have been practicing for the past month, as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m.

"Our members are mainly from the Southeast portion of the country," Director Joe Roach said. "This year we have members as far as Japan traveling with us."

The Music City Drum and Bugle Corp is a youth performing arts organization based out of Nashville. It is comprised of at least 150 band members who play the drums, mellophone, baritone, euphonium and the contrabass. The guard enhances the band's performance with creative movements. 

Every year in the Fall, the audition process begins for the Drum and Bugle Corp. Their mission is to create a performing cast, prepare them to learn new music and drills and then go on road for 11 weeks, traveling the country to compete at various competitions.

"This is our second amazing year being in Humboldt," Roach said. "We have local band connections, and the mayor and everyone has been welcoming. It is a great community."

The Drum and Bugle Corp practiced and performed in Humboldt in 2019 before the start of COVID-19.  This year, the members are between the ages of 16 and 22 years old and are all excited to share their love for music. 

Jackson Reddy, from Fayetteville, Arkansas and a member for the past four years started his journey in the color guard. This year he is playing the tuba.

"I love how much I have learned traveling with the Drum and Bugle Corp," Reddy said. "It has taught me to be adaptable with my schedule and my individual life. I have learned how to be a better person."

Assistant Head Brass Leader, Nate Hughes described their upcoming show, entitled, "Gasoline Rainbows."

"The inspiration of the show is based around a sailor who had been fighting at Pearl Harbor," Hughes said. "The Drum and Bugle Corp will bring to life their rendition of how the fire floated on water."

The Music City Drum and Bugle Corp performed last Saturday in Humboldt, giving the community a snapshot of the show. After this week, they will be taking a 10,000 mile tour on bus from Ohio, Atlanta, Texas, Pennsylvania to Indiana. They will first perform in Nashville on June 25. 

For more information about the Music City Drum and Bugle Corp or to make donations, visit their website at musiccityyouth.org.

Katrina Smith is an education reporter at The Jackson Sun. Send those story ideas to kmsmith@gannett.com.