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Despite the oppressive heat, outdoor rehearsals continued for a prestigious drum and bugle corps passing through North Texas.
Duncanville High School is hosting an ensemble of 150 young people from across America called Spirit of Atlanta. The group practiced all day on Tuesday and will do it again on Wednesday in the hot weather.
To be the best, it takes talent, determination and the ability to shrug off the triple-digit heat while carrying an extra 15 - 40 pounds of equipment.
“You’re enjoying it, you’re out here with your friends, you’re working hard, you are showing people what you can do and what we are made of,” said Jessica Otto, a college sophomore from Pennsylvania.
Drum Corps International ensembles like the one in Duncanville for a few days are not bound by UIL rules regulating practice sessions.
“It’s definitely hot, but it’s rather nice compared to some of the things we’ve been through so far,” said snare drum player Michael Keller.
The group is driven by passion for music, performance and oh so precious water breaks.
“When it’s a gulp of cold water, it's like sitting on the beach,” one musician said.
Chris Goulet of Flower Mound, now a student at the University of Nebraska, plays xylophone for the ensemble and doesn't mind a quick trip home -- even if it is a scorcher.
“We all wanted to be here. It’s a choice from all of us. You just get used to it and learn to deal with the heat,” Goulet said.
Group members said weather in Atlanta seemed worse than North Texas, but only because of the humidity.