Troopers Weekend

Part 1

Troopers Visit Utah

July 8, 2009

Last week Shaun with his Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps came to Utah for the Corps Encore competition. Shaun has been gone since the Friday before Memorial Day and we had not seen him since then. When they were in Utah their housing site was in Hyrum, Utah which is in Cache Valley in Northern Utah. I went to Hyrum in the morning to watch their day of practice. I got there while they were doing their visual warm-ups by going back and forth across the field with different walks. I had a hard time finding Shaun because he was very tan and has probably grown a couple inches. They all had hats on which makes it harder to find who you are looking for. After I found him, I had to steal a hug from Shaun between his turns to go across the field. He asked me what took so long for me to get there and where was Charlie? (I arrived there at about 10:30) He had previously told me not to come too early because they would probably be sleeping in after a long bus ride the night before. I didn’t bring Charlie because we wouldn’t have anywhere to put him during the competition that night. He was a little sad that Charlie wasn’t there.

After stretching and visual warm-ups the brass section warmed up with their music. I went over to take pictures of them and was invited to sit in the middle of the circle. That was the most amazing stereo sound that I have ever heard.
(Shaun is 3rd from the right, watch for the hat with the “O” on it throughout the pictures)

After warm ups I watched them practice for a couple of hours.
(Shaun is 3rd Trooper from Left)

Time for a water break – usually they were approximately 30 seconds.

More Practice……

And then another water break…They were good go get lots of water during practice.

Troopers take a lap around the track to get their heartbeat up.

And then practice to the end of the show – to build up endurance.

And then more water again.

Time for Lunch and then pack up the bus…

And head out for the show in Ogden.