August 28, 2025
By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS
Rutherford County Schools
Several leaders of the Siegel High School marching band were granted the opportunity to spend their summer break touring with prestigious drum corps units.
Drum corps tours are intensive and competitive, consisting of highly trained professional musicians and marchers under 21 and younger.
“They are away from home all summer for this rare opportunity, especially for high school students. We are extremely proud of them,” said Siegel band director Katie Nicholson.
Two recent graduates, Emma Major and Cannon Murphree, toured as students, as did Nicholson, assistant band director Nathan Mohnke, and several staff members.
“Drum Corps is a big deal at Siegel,” Nicholson said.
Here’s what students said about their experience (a fifth student declined to be recognized):
--Junior Lydia Pletincks, Siegel Assistant Drum Major, toured with Atlanta CV Drum and Bugle Corps as Drum Major.
"One thing Atlanta CV has taught me is that it's not about the score, but about the memories you take from it. The countless hours of rehearsals and time taken away from normal life to perfect our show really changed my perspective on drum corps. It's not about all the hours you've spent rehearsing just to perform your 12-minute show nine times. It's about the memories you made with your new corps family which makes it so much more meaningful. Needless to say, I wouldn't have wanted to spend my summer any other way!"
-- Senior Kassydi Starnes, Siegel Color Guard Captain, toured with Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps (Salt Lake City, Utah) Color Guard.
“This summer with the Battalion (was) a ride; it has taken a toll on me mentally and physically. I wasn't ready for what I was going to experience but all the people here made it worth it. It felt like home. Just all the memories, techniques, performance skills, and more I get to take from this corps is incredible. Even though I'm tired I will never stop loving this corps."
-- Senior Nathan Marshall, Siegel Horn Sergeant and Baritone Section Leader, toured with Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (La Crosse, Wisconsin) as a euphonium player.
“This summer has been incredibly hard physically, mentally, and even socially. At the end of (those) long hard days, I'm just so glad I made it to the end, and then I wake up and do it all over again. … I'm going to miss it so much."
-- Senior Colin Sullivan, Siegel Mellophone Section Leader, toured with Music City Drum Corps (Nashville) as mellophone player.
"My summer with Music City has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I was difficult to stay positive when everything was in pain. But the thing that got me through it was the people who I marched with. I met some of the funniest and most dedicated people I know this summer and I worked harder for them. I will miss them for the rest of my life but I am happy we were able to perform an amazing show.”
PHOTO: Leaders of the Siegel High School marching band spent summer break touring with prestigious drum corps units. Pictured on top row, from left, are Lydia Pletincks and Kassydi Starnes. Pictured on bottom row, from left, are Nathan Marshall and Colin Sullivan.