Westfield High School juniors heading to Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps
By Mark Ambrogi
Two Westfield High School juniors will be trading in a relaxing summer break for an intense musical experience of a lifetime.
Emma Derouin and Taylor Smith, who play the baritone horn, will perform with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.
“I’m looking forward to being part of a production whose goal is perfection,” Smith said. “They have an excellent staff. Being able to perform with the top musicians of my age is really cool.”
It’s also special that Smith gets to share it with his close friend. Derouin and Smith took school finals early and leave May 20 for the base camp in Forest City, Iowa. They then leave for La Crosse, Wis., (home for Blue Stars) for training from June 9-16.
The opening show is at Lucas Oil on June 17. The group will have another Indiana appearance at Ball State on June 26.
The group travels by bus through the summer to several states, including places as far away as Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas and New York. The Blue Stars’ summer ends with the Drum Corps International World Championships on Aug. 6-8 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Derouin has served as the Westfield drum major for the past two years.
“I’m looking forward to get back on the field and marching,” Derouin said. “I haven’t marched in a really long time.”
Smith said he was optimistic before going to the audition camp. Smith and Derouin were selected from more than 2,000 contenders. They learned they were picked in November.
“It seemed like something I was made for,” Smith said. “When you go there it’s a little intimidating because you are competing against hundreds of kids for just a few spots. It’s very rewarding.”
Derouin said she believed making it was a realistic dream.
“It’s rare for a 16-year-old to be contracted for the drum corps because you’re still in high school and still developing your talents,” Derouin said. “So there were a slight bit of unrealistic thoughts going on in my head but I was confident I would have success.”
Since being picked, Derouin and Smith have been learning show music and conditioning to prepare for the summer grind.
This is Smith’s sixth year playing baritone. He also plays trombone and is learning to play trumpet as well. Derouin, who moved to Westfield from Michigan in seventh grade, started playing the trumpet in fifth grade, playing it for four years.
“Then I wanted to try something new and baritone was my new found love,” she said.
Both students are seeking help for fees and expenses with fundraising pages. Derouin’s page is on gofundme.com while Smith is on youarecaring.com/TaylorDCI.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people who are just excited about marching band as I am,” Smith said.
Taylor Smith
Age: Turns 18 on Aug. 18.
Activities: Marching Band, Winter Guard, Symphonic Band, Pep Band. Was in Jazz Band as a freshman.
Hobbies: Plays volleyball in some recreation leagues, tries composing his own musical pieces.
Favorite class: AP Music Theory.
Favorite way to relax: “Watch Netflix and listening to music.”
Favorite food: “Anything Italian, I love ricotta cheese.
Favorite TV show: “I finished watching ‘Lost’ and I’d say that was my favorite. Really like ‘Fringe’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother.’”
On love of music: “It’s true; almost every extra-curricular activity I do is band or music related. I have loved music ever since I can remember and I only want to continue to grow as a musician.”
Emma Derouin
Age: Turns 17 on June 26.
Activities: Marching Band, Winter Guard, Symphonic Band, Pep Band.
Favorite Class: “AP Music Theory and if I have to pick a core class, I would say English.”
Favorite way to relax: “I really like to go to the beach. Anything I can do outside in the summer, pretty much.”
Favorite food: Mexican food.
Favorite TV show: “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Favorite movie: “Twilight” series movies.
On love of music: “I have found my niche in music. It always has been my place of refuge. I love everything about it; the people, the emotion, the opportunities it brings me in life. Music is the place I belong.”
