Several months ago, I was eating Chinese food for lunch with my mommy. Out of the blue, she asked me if I had ever wanted to do drum corps. I told her it had been a crazy fantasy dream but never something I had given serious thought to. This was how the rest of the conversation went:

Mom: "I think you can do it."
Me: "Well it's not a matter IF I could, but HOW...I don't play a brass instrument, and I'm not good enough for the drumline."
Mom: "What if you got lessons?"
Me: "For bass drum?"
Mom: "Yeah, you could get them over the summer and then try out."
Me: "You have to be INSANELY good to make it...like ridiculous. I don't think I could get to that level."
Mom: "Rachel, you have never tried to reach your full music potential. Every single one of your directors/teachers have come to me and said that you could make it in the professional world if you practiced and became committed to your instrument. And I've told every one of them that playing sax is more of a hobby for you and you're happy with the level you're at. But I want you push yourself. And I know that drum corps will do that for you. So if you're committed, I'll get you bass drum lessons."
Me: "But touring with a corps costs THOUSANDS of dollars..."
Mom: "I'll find a way to make it work. If I found a way to buy you a professional saxophone last summer, I can find a way for you to march."
Me: *the reality of what she's saying finally sinks in* "I could march drum corps..."
Mom: "Yes. You could march Bluecoats with David if you work hard enough."

The rest of the conversation was pretty much me freaking out saying how much I want to do it now that it's a reality.

I texted David right away, and after we talked for a bit, I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to get the private lessons for bass drum...I wanted to do mellophone. First off, getting into the drumline is nearly impossible (especially for a top corps) and they usually require at least one year marching a lower level corps. Well we don't have the money for that. And also, I've always wanted to learn a brass instrument...so here was my perfect opportunity.

I start mellophone lessons in two weeks. I will hopefully be working two jobs this summer in order to save money for Bluecoats and college. I will then be playing mellophone for Millersville's marching band in the fall (it's official, I confirmed it with the director).

If by Thanksgiving time of this year I'm ready, I will audition for Bluecoats. If I'm not ready, I will take another year to prepare and then audition.

I am going to do this.