Photos by Shawn Nowlin
This year’s Summer Music Games attracted more than 3,000 people to the Salem Football Stadium on July 31. Now in its 26th year, six world class corps from the Drum Corps International participated in Monday’s event: Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown, Jersey Surf, Madison Scouts, Pioneer and the Spirit of Atlanta.
All the corps were given the same instructions – live in the moment, work together as a team and have fun. For nearly three hours, everyone involved did just that. Anchorman Robin Reed of WDBJ7 served as event emcee.
“The judges often say that Salem is the most hospitable location, the volunteers are hardworking dedicated band parents as well as many non-band parents that just want to support the band by volunteering,” Salem Band Boosters Treasurer Teresa Sizemore – Hernandez said.
“I love seeing the excitement from the band students as they watch the performances in amazement,” event coordinator Steve Belanger said. “Seeing folks from many states gather in Salem all for a common interest in music and arts is awesome.”
Recent Salem graduate Trey McDearmon is a member of Jersey Surf, a seven-time Open Class World Championship Finalist and the only corps ever to receive the Spirit of Disney Award for creativity in three consecutive seasons. Several people in the stands were rooting for him.
“The Drum Corps show is a unique opportunity for fans, parents and especially students to see what they can do after high school band. The sound that comes from the corps is so amazing that you can actually feel it at the stadium,” John E. Wright, Director of Bands at Salem High School, said. “The show is one of our biggest fundraisers for the year and we are so grateful to host this show every year.”
Above all, the Summer Music Games is a creative way to raise funds for local high school bands. “The profit goes directly to supporting the Pride of Salem Band. Arts are so important in the schools and music is wonderful for the students,” Teresa said. “This event assists with their events and needs.”
When it was all said and done this is how the ten judges scored the competition: Carolina Crown 92.622, Boston Crusaders 89.353, Madison Scouts 82.504, Spirit of Atlanta 76.505, Jersey Surf 69.406 and Pioneer 65.65.
Salem Mayor Byron Foley is no stranger to the Summer Music Games. “People come from all over to hear the music that reverberates through Salem Stadium when the bands are competing,” he wrote in a letter prior to Monday’s event. “This is the 26th anniversary for the event, and we hope it continues for many more years.”