Whiz Kid: Percussionist Chosen to Tour with World Class Drum Corps

This week we feature whiz kid Andy Brown, a talented junior who has earned a coveted position on the snare line of the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps.  Andy is preparing for a rigorous spring training and summer touring schedule that will take him all over the United States performing for audiences numbering in the tens of thousands.

Andy Brown

Age: 16

School: Rochester High School

Accomplishment:  Following a nearly four month audition process, Andy was one of five percussionists chosen from a field of 60 elite musicians throughout the United States who competed for the opportunity to perform with the world class drum corps.  

Key to awesomeness: Andy first became interested in playing the drums in fourth grade while watching his older sister Jamie participate in the marching band.  In sixth grade, he joined Reuther Middle School's concert band and is now part of the wind ensemble at Rochester High. Although he is responsible for other instruments as a member of the Wind Ensemble, his passion is for marching percussion.

Andy learned about the Glassmen when his family went to a show in Kalamozoo when he was 9 years old. 

“At first I didn’t really care much for it, but I remembered it a few years later and looked it up on You Tube.  Our family went to another show when I was in eighth grade and I thought ‘Wow, I’d really like to do this someday.’ ”

Andy has been rehearsing with the Glassmen one weekend every month since November. Starting next week, Andy will be dividing his time between high school and the Glassmen, practicing with them Thursday through Sunday every week until the end of the school year. 

The Glassmen, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary season, bill themselves as “the Major League of Marching Music.” Participating in drum corps at this level requires a strong work ethic, athleticism, maturity and a high level of musicianship.  Being selected as a percussionist for this group is an accomplishment – only 150 musicians are selected each year from more than 1,000 applicants worldwide. 

The summer tour covers more than 13,000 miles over the course of 60 days. In August, the season ends at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis where the Glassmen will compete in the DCI World Championships.  In the past, this event has been televised on PBS and ESPN, and has reached audiences of more than 11 million. 

“Participating in drum corps is really much more than marching and playing music," said Matt Brown, Andy’s father. “These kids really learn to work as a team, to help each other and to all pull towards a common goal. Maturity, work ethic, respect for others and pushing past their own perceived limits are all part of the drum corps experience.

“Andy has worked incredibly hard to reach a high level of proficiency on his instrument. But, it has been a labor of love for him and he knows he must continue to improve.”

DO YOU KNOW OUR NEXT WHIZ KID?

Each week, Rochester Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to writer Sally Anglim. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)