The first idea I would like to explore for my Passion Blog is Drum Corps. During the summers of 2012 and 2013 I marched with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, and ever since, I have been hooked to the activity. The music, the motion, and its ability to move a stadium full of people to tears is incredibly captivating. So, for this Passion Blog, I will watch a different DCI (Drum Corps International) show every week, and comment on how much I liked it, how effective it was, etc. I will focus my attention on the shows from 2014, as they are the most recent works of Drum Corps, and show the up-to-date characteristics of the activity. By the end of this semester, I will decide whether or not I agree with the results of the 2014 DCI World Championships.

The second idea I would like to explore is orchestral music. I joined the Concert Band at my school in fifth grade, and ever since then, my love for classical music has grown exponentially. Throughout middle school, junior high, and high school, I became more and more involved in music, all culminating in my participation in District, Regional, and State Band and Orchestra Festivals. I have also become incredibly interested in composing, and how difficult it is to create a piece of music from scratch. So, for this Passion Blog, I will listen to at least two separate composers each week, and analyze their work for what I liked, did not like, and some of these ideas that I would like to explore when I compose.

The third idea I would like to explore is what it means to be a student at Penn State. Each and every student here has a different experience of this university, and all of their separate opinions are valuable. So, I would like to ask my peers – freshmen to seniors – what it means to them to be a student at Penn State. With all of the different avenues to explore at Penn State, I am very interested to see if there are any similarities in the answers given to me by students. So, each week I will ask one person what it means to be a student here. By the end of the semester, I will compile a list of similarities, as well as some of the most interesting responses to gain a better understanding of the connection we students share at Penn State.