| Interview with...Clay Wachholz | | Print | |
Clay Wachholz is currently the Director of Bands at Cedarburg High School in Cedarburg Wisconsin where he lives with his wife and son. He currently plays lead trombone in a big band and baritone in a German brass band. Clay enjoys watching college and pro football and likes cycling and will be joining the Kidsgrove Scouts on their DCA tour. How and when did you get involved with Drum Corps My sister was involved in Drum Corps for five years before I joined. My parents also started a little parade corps when I was very little. I started marching when I was twelve years old. Your Drum Corps experience Member - Baritone I’ve also worked with numerous Drum Corps in England, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Argentina, Brazil and USA. Favourite year you have marched 1985 was the first year I marched a big corps. I was 17 and loving every moment! Favourite Corps and year you have taught 1991 was my first year with Scouts. I was so into doing a good job in every possible way. Favourite Drum Corps show A hard one! 1984 Madison Scouts, 1981 Santa Clara - I idolized both these corps. Most memorable Drum Corps moment In general…coming off the field with the Madison Scouts after a DCI finals performance. The emotions felt are really tough to describe. I’m not sure if other corps members feel what we felt as Scouts. Person who has inspired you most and why My sister really inspired me to be great. Not only a great player but a kick ass, tough Drum Corps member. She aged out when I was just 13 years old. I had a lot to live up to. If you hadn’t have become involved with Drum Corps, what would you have done with your spare time? I think I would have been involved in our family business, which was a tool and die company. My dad would have had me working there for sure. My mother is an artist. Maybe I would have taken up sculpture. I would have been involved in creative activities though. How would you describe Drum Corps to someone who has never heard of it or seen it before? It’s a very physical activity. You learn to push yourself very hard. You come to count on your friends to do the same. When everyone works hard it is a wonderful experience. I think you learn to take pride in yourself as well. One tends to appreciate the little things in life as well. Favourite piece of music Second movement of the Ingalf Dahl Sinfonietta for Winds – it just speaks to me. Please take a listen. What made you want to be part of Kidsgrove Scouts in their centenary year? I love to guest teach groups. I also know that the corps is well run because of Tez. He and I go way back. I’m sure the members are going to be really excited to perform over here. It will really be a privilege to be involved with that process. A final thought… “Music is an outburst of the soul.” Fredrick Delius "Think about a great drum corps show performance. It reaches out and shakes you up. You feel alive!” Wachholz
|
