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Joining his brother in a dream

A Tarpon Springs High senior will march in the Boston Crusaders, a drum corps that his older sibling is part of.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published December 7, 2005

TARPON SPRINGS - Drew Smith was a freshman at Tarpon Springs High School the last time he marched with his brother, then a senior.

Last week, Smith, 18, now a senior himself, got a call from his older brother Dan. Dan Smith, 20, told his brother they would be marching together again this summer.

"This is pretty much to me a dream I've had for the past four years to march in this drum corps," Drew Smith said.

The baritone-playing brothers will march as members of the Boston Crusaders, a Drum Corps International performing group. This summer will be Dan Smith's fourth with the private group, which members pay dues to join. The dues vary according to the division and can sometimes be as much as $1,000. All members are younger than 21.

During the same call, the older brother told the younger that they were also selected to be in the DCI Honor Corps. Its 100 members were selected from the top 10 percent of DCI's 70 groups.

That meant they were part of the opening act for the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, which was taped last week and will air Dec. 25 on ABC.

This is the first time the Honor Corps was put together in conjunction with Disney specifically for this purpose, DCI spokesman Chris Weber said.

The roughly 5,000 members of the DCI groups spend the summer on buses and football fields all over the country, practicing and competing against other drum corps.

Drew Smith said his brother would come home from summers touring with the Boston Crusaders and share stories of 12-hour practice days and little sleep.

The performances are described as competitive and athletic, designed to be theatrical showcases. Members make the cut through auditions that last a weekend, during which participants play multiple pieces chosen by the judges.

"It's a complete, controlled intensity," Drew Smith said. "You have to be intense about everything, but you have to have complete control over your mind and body."

Dan Smith said he's excited his brother will be involved this year.

"It's going to be a great time," he said.

[Last modified December 7, 2005, 00:34:15]