Meet the Staff - Chris Temple, Battery Clinician

The following is the third feature in our "Meet the Staff" blog series intended to introduce you to the instructors you will meet at our first clinic. In this week's post, we are excited to highlight another one of our incredible battery clinicians, Chris Temple.

Where are you from?

I currently reside in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Tell us about your education background and drum corps experience.

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music(Audio Engineering), and am currently in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

I was fortunate enough to participate with the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble from 2003-2005, and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 2006-2007.

In all of the shows you were involved in as a performer and instructor, which one was your favorite and why? Or, what was your favorite drum corps?

As a performer, my favorite show was 'Dark Dances' with the 2007 Blue Knights. This show had some great music from Shostakovich, as well as very talented fellow members. Having a few years under my belt also allowed me to maximize the experience.

As an instructor, my favorite show was 'Physical Graffiti' in 2011 with the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble. Some of the show highlights that the members executed set new standards for the WGI activity. Other favorite Drum Corps shows as a spectator include 2003 Phantom Regiment and 2004 Santa Clara Vanguard.

How/why did you get hooked on drum corps?

Making incredible music with other people at such a high level got me hooked and returning year after year. There is not much better of a feeling than sharing in such a wonderful product with your brothers and sisters from the corps.

I've also met so many great lifelong friends from the activity, which always validated to me the close-knit family atmosphere of the drum corps community.

What excites you about being involved in the launch of The Battalion?

I am very excited to give back to the community in which I came from and has shaped me into who I am today. I am also excited to support and instill the values that the corps will represent, and provide an experience that each student will remember for a lifetime.

What should students expect for the first clinic? How can they get the most out of it?

I would expect for your brain to hurt a little bit when leaving the first clinic. This is a good thing though, and it means you will be inundated with great information. You will also meet a lot of great people from all over who will be interested in the same thing you are as well.

The two main things to get the most out of the clinic are to come prepared, and with an open mind. Nothing beats hard work and a willingness to learn something new, all while getting better as a musician. Oh, and have fun!