FOR PARENTS
When your child decides to be part of a drum corps, he/she is making a choice that requires a deep personal commitment that will require strength and focus. Facing new levels of responsibility, discipline and self-knowledge, they will gain values that will help them succeed in life. Every student has personal reasons for wanting to be part of a drum corps. Your son or daughter is no different. It may simply be to become a better performer or meet new people. Students often view membership in a drum corps as a key rung in their climb to be professional performers or arts educators. For many students, it is a way to challenge themselves to become the best they can be.
While your student’s reasons for wanting to get involved in a drum corps vary, the life-lessons and personal growth they gain from this activity will change the course of their lives. We guarantee your student will become a better musician and performer. Your student will learn there is no shortcut to greatness, and that the path to excellence is full of really hard work. Drum corps teaches students to push through exhaustion and discouragement in an effort to be their absolute best. These character-building experiences will prepare them for adulthood, whether that includes a mission trip, college, marriage, a career, or selfless service to others throughout their lives.
No matter their dream, being part of a drum corps like The Battalion can help them achieve it. Your student will make lifelong friends, perform in front of thousands of people, become a better performer, and be part of something bigger than his or herself. Your student will learn how to do hard things over and over again as they strive for perfection. This is why we started The Battalion – because the marching arts did all of these things for us! Don't just take it from us, read some of the testimonials from our parents and alumni below.
PARENT TESTIMONIALS
"I could not be happier with my daughter’s experience. I am thrilled with the Christian-values environment of the Battalion. In addition to Sundays off to attend religious services, no swearing, and clear separation of male and female quarters on tour, the staff has created a very positive learning environment for the members that accelerates growth. Because of this, my wife and I felt very comfortable allowing our daughter join the corps. And the payoff was huge. My daughter learned to work harder than she ever had before; she learned how to function as a part of a highly skilled and elite team; she learned life skills for independent living; she learned to make friends and work with people from diverse backgrounds; she came home from tour completely exhausted having spent every drop of energy she had; and she wants nothing more than to do it all again. My daughter’s experience in The Battalion was transformative."
- Mark Wolfersberger
"Our son, Noah has learned more in one year than what we ever thought would happen in being a member of The Battalion. He has been taught things that were missed in all of his years of band and marching band in school. He loves the staff and his corps mates. We love that he is guided by caring, knowledgable experts, and that he can take what he has learned to his college career beginning this next fall. The life experiences of dedication, perseverance, endurance and care for others is taught from the top down. He has blossomed as a member of The Battalion and there is not a moment that he dreads—well, of course, he dreads the days not being with The Battalion. This was the best choice for our son and our family."
- Donny and Twyla Helvey
"I couldn't ask for a better experience for my daughter to have as she has become a part of the Battalion family. She has always had a good work ethic, but to see the hours she spent training and the friendships she has made truly makes my heart happy as a mother. I am thankful for the staff and the love they show and for their willingness to help her learn and grow even more. Can't wait to see what the next year will bring."
- Nisha Murray
"The great American storyteller, Garrison Keillor, once said, “Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.” Helping kids have the “drum corps experience” is our motivation for being Battalion volunteers. The beautiful show that Battalion members produced in 2016 was supported by a host of volunteers, starting with the Battalion Board of Directors and outstanding writers and instructors. Unknown hours were spent in planning, purchasing uniforms and equipment, and securing rehearsal sites, while managing a responsible budget. Add to this the part-time volunteers in food services, uniform fitting, flags, instrument repairs, transportation, and housing. So many wonderful and willing people were always there to do whatever needed to be done (THANK YOU). Why do they do it? The answer is not easy to put in words, but at the Ogden show, every volunteer watched with tears of joy as the Battalion (our kids) electrified the home crowd."
- Mary and Bob Wolfersberger
"The Battalion has changed my life for the better. I love the person who I've become. Before I joined the Battalion, I was afraid to voice my opinions, shy, quiet, and always wanted to hide when it came to socializing. Now, I've changed to who I am now, someone who is more confident, time efficient, stronger, kinder, happier, more responsible, and a leader instead of a follower. This experience has changed my perspective on life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
- Whitney Johnson
ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
"The Battalion is a place where young musicians grow and blossom into better players and better human beings. With all the craziness in today's society, we so rarely get to work with incredibly dedicated, humble, selfless, caring people, and The Battalion really helps everyone embody those traits so we all become the gems in the world that inspire people."
- Olivia Arjona
"Marching with The Battalion is by far the most incredible thing I have ever done. I learned a ton about playing, marching, and myself, and I have truly become a stronger and more confident person. There is nothing I wouldn't give to have had more time with these wonderful people. The staff, administrators, volunteers, and my fellow members have all changed my life for the better, and I love them all with all of my heart."
- Anna Howell
"The Battalion was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm glad I could start my drum corps experience with such a phenomenal organization."
- Jake Martin
"The Battalion allowed me to find myself, and find my best friends in the world. It was the best time of my life!"
- Dallas Anselmo
"My experience with The Battalion holds a very special place in my heart. I worked for two years and came to every experience and audition camp. Earning a spot on the snareline has been nothing short of the greatest reward I have ever received. I learned that respect is always key. If you respect yourself and everyone around you, you will gain respect and the ability to work your way to achieve your goals."
- Nick Montoya
"I cannot express how much my experience with The Battalion has meant to me. I've found lifelong friends, developed my musicianship skills by learning a completely new instrument, and changed as a person because of the successes and challenges that this experience offers its members."
- Claire Landwehr
"Every ounce of pain and frustration from the long rehearsal days was 100% worth it. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. The Battalion became my family and I wouldn't trade my experience for anything."
- Noah Helvey
"The Battalion is something really, really special. It means I have a home, somewhere I'm always welcome. I have another family. The Battalion made me a better musician, performer, and human being. It means that I can look at my member jacket and know I was a part of something bigger than myself, and that I accomplished something magical with my friends. The Battalion is a place where students from all walks of life can come together for one common goal."
- Laura Lounsbury