Sarah Quesnell is only a few weeks away from seeing history firsthand. The Galena High School junior is preparing for her trip to the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Quesnell, the daughter of Jeff Quesnell, Galena, will march with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps. And it's an impressive event, performing at a presidential inauguration. "This is something the Colts have never done."
She was aware Colts officials were working toward playing at the inauguration for some time. "I had heard we had a pretty good chance of getting in," she said. But she didn't realize the trip was on until teachers and classmates began asking her about the inauguration just a week ago.
Quesnell plays trumpet in the Colts. In addition to the usual practices before performance, Quesnell also filled out a participation survey for the Secret Service, as part of a background check.
It will be quite a trek. The Colts take four buses for a typical 150-person show. There will be about 160 Colts performing at the inauguration, for five to six buses, plus an equipment truck, and other support vehicles, including transportation for other family members.
The convoy leaves Jan. 17. The Colts will have that Sunday and Monday for rehearsal, and will perform Tuesday.
The Colts perform everywhere: the Midwest, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Canada. She's used to performing in extreme temperatures.
"It's usually been like 130 degrees outside with 100-percent humidity," she joked. The Colts musicians are bracing themselves for spectacularly cold winter weather.
Before someone can even participate in the Colts, he or she has to audition. Audition weekends are held in January and February.
A typical Colts season begins on Memorial Day weekend, and runs all summer long through the second weekend of August. The corps will practice at schools throughout the tri-state area in early summer, and travel to competitions the rest of the summer. "The summer rehearsals are pretty intensive. It takes a lot of stamina, dedication and devotion to the activity.
"She first saw the Colts in action when she was in sixth grade. "I decided that was something I was going to work for," she said. She auditioned, and became a Colts Cadet. It wasn't until she turned 16 that she was able to be a Colt.
She was the first Colt from Galena in 27 years. Other Colts from the county going on the inauguration trip include the daughters of Peggy Francomb, Elizabeth.
The total cost for the inauguration trip is $250, and she's looking for a sponsor. To sponsor her, call her home number at 815-776-9436.
She's looking to continue her discipline after high school in college, to major in music education. She's considering Vandercook. For now, she's content to be a part of history."It's definitely exciting that I'll make my mark on history," she said.
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