BOILING SRINGS, NC—Murmurs of drums, xylophones, and brass instruments have filled the void of silence on the typically quiet summer campus of Gardner-Webb University during June. These sounds, played by 16—21-year-olds are notes from the Carolina Crown Drum Corps, one of the 22 competitive “world-class” groups. Based out of Fort Mill, S.C., Carolina Crown has been conducting their “spring training” on the Gardner-Webb University campus for three years. It is during this time that members learn the sounds and steps to their new performance. This year, Carolina Crown is excited to reveal their show called, “The Grass is Always Greener,” a theme that will explore how human nature prompts the desire to want what it does not have. Their first competition was held in Pennsylvania on June 19.
The training, which began May 23, lasted until June 11, and was for all 150 members of the organization. These individuals have been working towards this training since November when auditions began for the competitive corps. Comprised of two drum majors, brass players, pit ensemble, drum line, color guard, dozens of instructors and marching specialists, members of the Corps travel from as far as California and Japan for the intense training. Carolina Crown came in fourth place at the DCI World Championships World Class Finals in Bloomington, Ind., last year and are hopeful for another successful season.
Gardner-Webb houses all members in residence halls and opens the cafeteria to the camp for their dining needs. The program uses the Bost Gym facility and several fields across campus for marching practice. A vibraphone player from Bakersfield, Calif., Joey Hubbard shared his appreciation for the campus. “Oh I love (the campus). It definitely gets bragged about because it is the nicest facility any of the drum corps get to practice at.”
The welcoming community of Boiling Springs has happily surprised participants of the camp. A second year tenor drum player, Chris Demeth from Cincinnati, Ohio, explained how he noticed a regional difference. “I definitely started believing in southern hospitality after being (in Boiling Springs). The people here are really nice.” The Carolina Crown Tour Director, Meghann “Meg” Healy is also pleased with the southern atmosphere. “We are all treated very well here and there is definitely that southern charm. And the food is great. I just keep having ‘biscuits biscuits biscuits’ for breakfast. It’s awesome.”
For more information about Carolina Crown Drum Corp or for getting involved, visit www.carolinacrown.org.
Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is home to nearly 4,000 students from 39 states and 21 foreign countries.
