July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Vogler to march off for summer (05/14/08)
By By VIRGINIA CLINE-
Laura Vogler plans to march to the beat of a different drum this summer.
She has been a member of the Jay County Patriot Marching Band and Guard for the last four years, but this summer the 18-year-old baritone player will perform with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Toledo, Ohio.
Glassmen is one of many drum and bugle corps sponsored by Drum Corps International (DCI) and is intended to further the artistic skills of young people by teaching them life skills and providing a summer touring experience that will forever change their lives. Corps members have to pay a fee to participate.
Laura, who has completed requirements to graduate from Jay County High School, is the daughter of Pete and Lisa Vogler, Portland. She admits joining the corps was her dad's dream ever since he saw his first performance when he was 18 and now he is "vicariously living his dream through me," Laura stated with pride.
Pete is band director at East Jay Middle School and director of the Patriot Guard at Jay County High School.
Laura will move in to Glassmen's on Friday and begin what she describes as a "big long band camp" for five weeks. She says the schedule is "physically and mentally demanding," with conditioning beginning at 7:30 a.m., which includes running and strength exercises, and then rehearsal from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Although she is missing the final two weeks of high school, she plans to return for graduation on Sunday, June 1.
When she first traveled to Glassmen in Toledo to audition, Laura was a little surprised to find the headquarters was located in a run-down school building. When she first arrived "I was like, 'this can't be it.'" She auditioned before two judges, but didn't learn the results at that time. After returning to Toledo for camp in November and December, Laura began to wonder if she had been accepted or not, so she inquired via e-mail.
Then just before Christmas, her dad got her out of Earth Science class at JCHS after he apparently "hacked into my e-mail," Laura said.
He told her, '"Laura, you definitely have a spot in the Glassmen.'" Laura's first reaction was to scream. "It was really exciting. It was probably the best Christmas present."
Laura has continued going to camp in Toledo one weekend a month to learn music and marching basics. Laura says she and her mom share a very close relationship and every time she leaves for camp they have a "crying fest" and say how much they are going to miss each other.
She will, however, get a chance to see her dad during her travels. Pete plans to help cook for the performers on the chuck wagon, which is in a traveling trailer.
He will start the beginning of July for three weeks, take two weeks off and return. Laura said her dad wanted to travel the entire time, but the corps doesn't allow it because it is too demanding.
After practicing for more than four hours one day at camp and holding the five pound baritone in a marching position, Laura remembers crying about her aching arms and doubting if she was able to continue. Her dad's encouraging words were all that kept her going: "I'm going to be with you every step of the way."
"I don't know what I would have done with out him," Laura says fondly. "He made me stick it out and I'm really glad he did."
The same weekend she returns for graduation at JCHS, she will also have a dance recital. Laura takes dance lessons at Nancy Rines' Dancer's Studio and takes piano, baritone and voice lessons through the MusicWorks program at Arts Place in Portland.
After five weeks of practice, the corps will travel throughout the east coast and as far west as Texas to perform in college and high school football stadiums from June 22 until Aug. 11. The performers will then sleep on the school's gym floors on air mattresses. The routine will slow down a little when the group begins performing; Laura says they will probably only practice eight hours a day.
Girls are to wear their hair pulled back the same way and aren't allowed to wear makeup so they will look as uniform as possible.
After a summer of performing, all DCI corps will compete in finals at the football stadium at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Laura will then return home for two weeks before leaving for Anderson University, where she plans to major in music and minor in dance. Her dream is to become a band director and she says that having drum corps experience has become a prerequisite for that. Her mom told her that performing this summer with the Glassmen will open doors and she will get to know many people.
Beaming with excitement, Laura said, "Who knows where it will take me?"[[In-content Ad]]
She has been a member of the Jay County Patriot Marching Band and Guard for the last four years, but this summer the 18-year-old baritone player will perform with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Toledo, Ohio.
Glassmen is one of many drum and bugle corps sponsored by Drum Corps International (DCI) and is intended to further the artistic skills of young people by teaching them life skills and providing a summer touring experience that will forever change their lives. Corps members have to pay a fee to participate.
Laura, who has completed requirements to graduate from Jay County High School, is the daughter of Pete and Lisa Vogler, Portland. She admits joining the corps was her dad's dream ever since he saw his first performance when he was 18 and now he is "vicariously living his dream through me," Laura stated with pride.
Pete is band director at East Jay Middle School and director of the Patriot Guard at Jay County High School.
Laura will move in to Glassmen's on Friday and begin what she describes as a "big long band camp" for five weeks. She says the schedule is "physically and mentally demanding," with conditioning beginning at 7:30 a.m., which includes running and strength exercises, and then rehearsal from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Although she is missing the final two weeks of high school, she plans to return for graduation on Sunday, June 1.
When she first traveled to Glassmen in Toledo to audition, Laura was a little surprised to find the headquarters was located in a run-down school building. When she first arrived "I was like, 'this can't be it.'" She auditioned before two judges, but didn't learn the results at that time. After returning to Toledo for camp in November and December, Laura began to wonder if she had been accepted or not, so she inquired via e-mail.
Then just before Christmas, her dad got her out of Earth Science class at JCHS after he apparently "hacked into my e-mail," Laura said.
He told her, '"Laura, you definitely have a spot in the Glassmen.'" Laura's first reaction was to scream. "It was really exciting. It was probably the best Christmas present."
Laura has continued going to camp in Toledo one weekend a month to learn music and marching basics. Laura says she and her mom share a very close relationship and every time she leaves for camp they have a "crying fest" and say how much they are going to miss each other.
She will, however, get a chance to see her dad during her travels. Pete plans to help cook for the performers on the chuck wagon, which is in a traveling trailer.
He will start the beginning of July for three weeks, take two weeks off and return. Laura said her dad wanted to travel the entire time, but the corps doesn't allow it because it is too demanding.
After practicing for more than four hours one day at camp and holding the five pound baritone in a marching position, Laura remembers crying about her aching arms and doubting if she was able to continue. Her dad's encouraging words were all that kept her going: "I'm going to be with you every step of the way."
"I don't know what I would have done with out him," Laura says fondly. "He made me stick it out and I'm really glad he did."
The same weekend she returns for graduation at JCHS, she will also have a dance recital. Laura takes dance lessons at Nancy Rines' Dancer's Studio and takes piano, baritone and voice lessons through the MusicWorks program at Arts Place in Portland.
After five weeks of practice, the corps will travel throughout the east coast and as far west as Texas to perform in college and high school football stadiums from June 22 until Aug. 11. The performers will then sleep on the school's gym floors on air mattresses. The routine will slow down a little when the group begins performing; Laura says they will probably only practice eight hours a day.
Girls are to wear their hair pulled back the same way and aren't allowed to wear makeup so they will look as uniform as possible.
After a summer of performing, all DCI corps will compete in finals at the football stadium at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Laura will then return home for two weeks before leaving for Anderson University, where she plans to major in music and minor in dance. Her dream is to become a band director and she says that having drum corps experience has become a prerequisite for that. Her mom told her that performing this summer with the Glassmen will open doors and she will get to know many people.
Beaming with excitement, Laura said, "Who knows where it will take me?"[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD