Name:
Matthew Dronberger
What year(s) did you march in the Blue Knights?
2005 and 2006 on Euphonium.
Where did you attend high school?
Mustang, OK, graduated in 2003, and played saxophone until I marched with the Blue Knights years later.
What is your current occupation? Case Initiation Coordinator for Child Support at the University of Oklahoma. Yes I’m a Sooner, graduated in 2011 and then moved to and lived in Japan for 3 and a half years teaching English, although I didn’t ever get in touch with the guy I marched with in 2006 who was from Japan.
Why did you choose to march with the Blue Knights?
The drive was shorter than most other drum corps and some of my fellow Oklahomans had previously marched at the Blue Knights and marched with me. It also helps that CO is amazingly beautiful and has plenty of things to do while acclimating the lower oxygen.
What is your favorite drum corps memory?
That final night, before lining up, being with the other age-outs and the corps, getting psyched up, then going out and putting on the best and last performance on the field in 2006. That culmination displayed all the anticipation, sweat, dirt, hunger, pain, and drive to perform with my extended family, the Blue Knights.
How have the Blue Knights impacted your life?
Having seen the limits of my own exertions and effort it has become ever more apparent that we all have limits and will have to connect with our fellow humans, whether on the field or in real life staying connected and being genuine with each other is a core part of who we are. Sharing that and the passion for music through performance is what I want my kids and others to gain by knowing the Blue Knights.
What are some of the Blue Knights’ core values/principles that have resonated with you in life?
While I could go through each tenet one by one, having spent two summers working with the other 134 members of the corps helped me see that even in the real world it isn’t one person that makes all the decisions, but a collective effort to get something done and have a desire to get better each day. That effort allows each member to see how to grow and make the performance better and later share with people they meet or just run into at the market.
What advice would you tell someone considering trying out for the Blue Knights?
When I first tried out in 2005 I had only been practicing euphonium for a maximum of 6 months, but knew that I wanted a chance to be in a drum and bugle corps. If you have doubts, focus on what you can do and make those shine through while working on getting better in the other areas. In the end you are joining a team that strives to get better throughout the season and no one is perfect, good maybe, but never perfect, it is that hunger that will make you a great Blue Knight.
How would you like to see other Blue Knight alumni get involved in the organization?
Whether it is participating through donations to the organization or communication with other alumni on plans to attend shows or events the improvements in community engagement that are possible now are endless. There is no reason that we can’t spot each other at a show whether by the “dots” or just saying “hi” will allow camaraderie in this event we all love!
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