ALLENTOWN, PA – This summer, the Blue Knights have been lucky to get thousands of hours’ worth of amazing volunteer help, but for the last week we’ve had someone a little bit unusual on board with us. Eric Skinner has been volunteering on the cook truck since the end of July, and also happens to be the band director at Gallia Academy High School—our wonderful housing hosts from July 27th. We picked him up along the way, and he was with us until Monday, August 3rd (though there were efforts to keep him on until finals). His wife said it was okay via Skype, but he still has an entire marching band show that still needs to be completed for his own band—GAHS band camp starts the Monday after DCI Finals in Indianapolis.
Eric graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in music education, and first worked as the percussion instructor at GAHS. Last year was his first year as band director and the change wasn’t always easy, but he says the kids made it all worthwhile. “I really… I love my job,” he says with a laugh, continuing to rave about how wonderful his students are. His enthusiasm for his job is apparent and it’s certainly part of what makes him so well-liked.
While he may not be on tour with us through finals, Eric will still be in attendance to cheer on his favorite Knights. He started following drum corps at thirteen years old, and still recalls the night clearly. It was in Columbus, OH, and the show that got him started was the Cadets’ 2005 program, “The Zone.” After that, he didn’t look back.
Reflecting on his past, Eric says one of his biggest regrets is not marching when he had the chance. He is a percussionist, and when he started as a percussion instructor at GAHS, he had the opportunity to befriend Mykal Haner—one of the hornline members of the 2015 Blue Knights. As their friendship grew, Mykal urged Eric to come on tour even for a little while to help out. As soon as it was settled that the Blue Knights would be housing at GAHS, Mykal contacted Eric, told him that the Blue Knights needed some extra hands on tour, and Eric found a way to come on board, charisma and contagious laughter in tow.
It’s up in the air as to whether or not Eric will be able to join us on tour again in the future, but even if he doesn’t we are incredibly grateful for his presence and we appreciate the support more than we can say. Thank you, Eric!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Hanna is a native of Des Moines, Iowa and is currently pursuing degrees in Communication and in English at Truman State University, located in northeast Missouri.
Rachel has been a passionate supporter of music and the marching arts for many years; she performed in Truman’s Statesmen Color Guard in 2014, was on the founding executive board & design team of Amethyst Independent Winter Guard in 2015, and has been involved in various choirs throughout her life. She continues her involvement in Truman State’s music department through Sigma Alpha Iota, a national women’s music fraternity. She is excited to combine her professional communication interest with her love for the arts as a member of this brand new internship team.
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Keith Huffman
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