This past summer, Nu Alpha member Grace Trumpy had the incredible opportunity to march with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps during their 2023 season titled “Atlas Rising”.
Grace’s audition journey as a trumpet player was quite competitive. It began in the Fall of 2022 when she submitted a pre-screening video and got an invitation to an audition camp. To audition, she had to show skill in playing, marching, and choreographed routines. After her first audition camp in December 2022, she was offered a contract. When discussing her role in the organization, Grace discussed some of the values that were taught in spring training and throughout their summer tour as the show developed. “Each person plays an integral role in the membership as well as the show, and knowing all of your responsibilities, including music and movement, is non negotiable. At the Cadets, we are taught that “how you do something is how you do everything” and what separates amateurs from professionals is not perfection, but consistency.” While in drum corps, members participate in a summer tour as they compete within the Drum Corps International circuit. This takes them around the country via tour bus as they still rehearse and continue to refine the show. Grace says about the experience: “It takes extreme mental focus to stay engaged in the day to day drum corps routine, as well as practicing healthy habits (sleeping, eating, etc) that keep you on the field each day without injury…The Cadets 2023 program, “Atlas Rising,” was very physically demanding, and required physical fitness, which we also trained for on the daily. Once on tour, we continued to develop the show, and also had responsibilities related to traveling and living at a variety of housing sites.” This training proved to be successful when The Cadets traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to perform at Lucas Oil Stadium for Drum Corps International finals. They placed 5th overall with a score of 94.313. During a whirlwind summer of traveling, rehearsing, and Buc-ee's trips, Grace states that her favorite part of the experience was the people she worked with, all of the traveling (performing in stadiums, seeing new places), and learning to “fall in love with the process”. SAI Nu Alpha decided to spotlight her experience with The Cadets as it show’s Grace’s dedication to our core values outside of The College of New Jersey. She upheld the highest standards of music as she toured and furthered the development of music in America as she toured and performed in various different states. Recently, Grace has announced that she will be marching her next season with Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps and we can’t wait to see all the amazing work she does!
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