Name:
Joshua Schweitzer
What year(s) did you march in the Blue Knights?
2004-2006 Lead Trumpet, 2007 Secondary Drum Major, 2008-2009 Horn Sargent/Lead Trumpet.
Where did you attend high school?
Legacy High School in Broomfield, CO
Education beyond high school?
Received my associates in Audio Production from Aims Community College
What is your current occupation?
Maintenance Technician at an apartment complex in Loveland, CO and driver for Schweitzer Racing Team in Johnstown, CO.
Why did you choose to march with the Blue Knights?
In 2001 my parents took me to my first Drums Along the Rockies performance. At the time I barely had any experience playing my trumpet but was absolutely amazed that all those individuals were able to move as a unit in order to make something so visually and acoustically appealing. As I sat and watched the end of the Blue Knights show I turned to my mother and told her “I’m going to be down there one day”.
What is your favorite drum corps memory?
After the finals performance in 2009 we gathered the hornline for a final summary of our performance from our instructors. After they finished giving their appraisal I began to address the hornline for one last time. All I wanted to say was how proud I was to be able to march with each individual but I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I could barely even speak a word. Throughout the entire season I kept the fact that this journey would soon come to an end and never prepared myself for the end. Failing to pull myself together, the hornline began to put their hands on each others shoulders and hugged as collective. Shorty after, we gathered for the age-out performance and I was asked to conduct the hornline for one final performance.
How have the Blue Knights impacted your life?
Blue Knights members, staff and volunteers have inspired me to keep striving for excellence and continue the growth of others. In my daily life I can always find ways to improve and to exceed expectations. As our instructors would stress “consistent approach = consistent results”, each moment is an opportunity to take my previous knowledge from drum corps and create something beautiful.
What are some the Blue Knights’ core values/principles that have resonated with you in life?
Attention to detail has lead me to where I am today. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to run audio and visual for company events such as Otterbox, Woodward, Microsoft, Colorado State University, United Way and many more. In my racing career this has also greatly affected me. In 2014, I won my first season championship in an IMCA stock car and had a hand full of wins since then. This past summer I placed second in overall points at our local track and I’m confident that while continuing to focus on the details, the next championship is just around the corner.
What advice would you tell someone considering trying out for the Blue Knights?
Be prepared to work harder than you ever have and you will amaze yourself. Keep doing so when you feel like there is nothing left to give and you will amaze others.
What are you looking forward to most about the 2018 Alumni Corps celebrating our programs’ 60th and 25th anniversaries?
I can’t wait to see all of the amazing members from the past gathered on Invesco Field to give an amazing performance and have the Denver crowd out of their seats!
How would you like to see other Blue Knight alumni get involved in the organization?
Keep inspiring kids to try out for Blue Knights and find at least one member to sponsor for the season.
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