The Down Low
Hi, my name is Sterling Ryan, I am 21-years old and this is my 5th and sadly final season marching in the OVT hornline playing contra. I am originally from Bentonville, AR (the birthplace of Wal*Mart), and I am a senior Biochemistry major at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK. My parents, Tom and Joni Ryan, along with my younger sister Ally are also on tour with me this season volunteering, and Ally is hoping to march in the colorguard next year after she finishes high school.
I know we're supposed to talk about tour in these blogs, and eventually I will, but everything I can think of to say has already been said by most of the other folks already blogging, so I think I will take the time to answer some questions form "Sterling's Bag o' Questions" something I started last year where I have a pillowcase attached to my seat, and people can write questions to be answered on the bus at some point during the week. I actually got one that was pretty good the other day, since normally they are mostly for our amusement during bus rides, they can get pretty ridiculous. The question I was asked is "Your name is very interesting. How did you get it?" Now most people would just say "duh, my parents", which is true in this case, however, there is a story behind my name, which is first and foremost, my middle name.
My grandfather (mom's dad) Bill Sterling, is the last Sterling of lineage. He grew up with 6 sisters (the middle sibling), and then had 4 daughters, and so there were no boys to carry on the family name. This bothered Pap a little, but he always just smiled because he said "If the good Lord intended for me to have a son, I wouldn't have 4 beautiful daughters." My mom and her sisters agreed that whomever had a son first would name the first born son Sterling in order to by virtue carry on the name. My mom was the first to have a boy (obviously - also, I'm the oldest grandchild), and so my full name is William Sterling Ryan, in honor of my grandfather.
So now you know...and knowing is half the battle, and until next time, this has been "The Down Low from Sterling."
I know we're supposed to talk about tour in these blogs, and eventually I will, but everything I can think of to say has already been said by most of the other folks already blogging, so I think I will take the time to answer some questions form "Sterling's Bag o' Questions" something I started last year where I have a pillowcase attached to my seat, and people can write questions to be answered on the bus at some point during the week. I actually got one that was pretty good the other day, since normally they are mostly for our amusement during bus rides, they can get pretty ridiculous. The question I was asked is "Your name is very interesting. How did you get it?" Now most people would just say "duh, my parents", which is true in this case, however, there is a story behind my name, which is first and foremost, my middle name.
My grandfather (mom's dad) Bill Sterling, is the last Sterling of lineage. He grew up with 6 sisters (the middle sibling), and then had 4 daughters, and so there were no boys to carry on the family name. This bothered Pap a little, but he always just smiled because he said "If the good Lord intended for me to have a son, I wouldn't have 4 beautiful daughters." My mom and her sisters agreed that whomever had a son first would name the first born son Sterling in order to by virtue carry on the name. My mom was the first to have a boy (obviously - also, I'm the oldest grandchild), and so my full name is William Sterling Ryan, in honor of my grandfather.
So now you know...and knowing is half the battle, and until next time, this has been "The Down Low from Sterling."
Just Keep Spinning #1
Hey there it's Emma. We're here in Kingsland, GA rehearsing for a show tomorrow evening in Brunswick, GA. I can't believe I have been away from home for a month now, and on tour for almost a week! It has been quite the adventure so far.
As shocking as it is, most of the time when at home, I love more than anything to just sit on the deck out back and either read or watch the barges go past on the river. We also have a little dock on the river, and sometimes I go down there and sit and just watch boats go by or lay and watch the clouds with my friends. Another thing that has been a bit out of charachter for me has been I have had 2 glasses of iced tea since tour started as opposed to drinking a gallon a day...ok, maybe that's a bit much, but I do love iced tea!
This has been quite possibly one of the best experiences of my life so far. Everyone is so wonderful, from the staff to my fellow members. Sure, there have been some tough times, and I'm sure there will be some more, but the great thing is when the tough times come everyone works together to get through them. I think the best thing about overcoming the tough times are the moments when we get together in the huddle and get a pep talk from Doug and Mel and we all hug. It definitely makes things not as hard.
I think the one thing that I have missed the most from home is definitely my black lab, Jax. My mom told me he sits by the door of the evening and waits for me to come home, and then goes into by bedroom where his bed is. The other night I called, and my mom put him on the speakerphone for him to "speak", and I almost started to cry. He's such a sweet puppy...all 90 lbs of him!
It's getting to be time to head to sectionals, so I will wrap this up. I'm pretty excited to see what the rest of the summer has in store for us. No matter what happens, I know I will have to just keep spinning...
As shocking as it is, most of the time when at home, I love more than anything to just sit on the deck out back and either read or watch the barges go past on the river. We also have a little dock on the river, and sometimes I go down there and sit and just watch boats go by or lay and watch the clouds with my friends. Another thing that has been a bit out of charachter for me has been I have had 2 glasses of iced tea since tour started as opposed to drinking a gallon a day...ok, maybe that's a bit much, but I do love iced tea!
This has been quite possibly one of the best experiences of my life so far. Everyone is so wonderful, from the staff to my fellow members. Sure, there have been some tough times, and I'm sure there will be some more, but the great thing is when the tough times come everyone works together to get through them. I think the best thing about overcoming the tough times are the moments when we get together in the huddle and get a pep talk from Doug and Mel and we all hug. It definitely makes things not as hard.
I think the one thing that I have missed the most from home is definitely my black lab, Jax. My mom told me he sits by the door of the evening and waits for me to come home, and then goes into by bedroom where his bed is. The other night I called, and my mom put him on the speakerphone for him to "speak", and I almost started to cry. He's such a sweet puppy...all 90 lbs of him!
It's getting to be time to head to sectionals, so I will wrap this up. I'm pretty excited to see what the rest of the summer has in store for us. No matter what happens, I know I will have to just keep spinning...
The View from the Back #1
Hey there it's Adam, and I am the backfield conductor this season. I am 20-years old and a sophomore agricultural engineering major at the University of Kentucky. I grew up in Monticello, KY where my family still has a farm, and my mom is an elementary school teacher. I have been involved with drum corps since I was 16 when I marched Storm Troopers for 2 seasons before auditioning for OVT. This is my third season with OVT, my first two I was in the contra section, this year is my first conducting.
We're here in James Island, SC, and we just got back from the beach! We've been in the Carolinas this past week, and it has been in the upper 80s - low 90s most of the week, so today we had a 3 hour rehearsal block from 9 am - 12 pm, then we loaded up and went down to the beach. It was very nice to just relax for a little bit. The past couple days have been rough. We came out our first show and scored a 72.115, and the next night dropped to a 68.265, and though our staff has tried to keep our heads up, it has really got some people bummed out. We're working hard, and for the most part morale is good, but the 4 point drop was pretty hard on some folks. In a way, I think has also further motivated some folks who want to make those 4 points back. So maybe it is not such a bad thing afterall? Only time will tell. In the meantime, all we can do is our best, and work hard everyday. I will be doing my part to help keep people motivated and smiling. But for now, I'm off to bed.
This has been your view from the back...
Goodnight!
- AW
Emilynn's Journey to Becoming Box 5 #1
Hello there; my name is Emilynn and this is my first year marching drum corps!
A little about myself, I am 18 years old, and I am from Lorton, VA. I just graduated from South County Secondary, and I will be a freshman at the James Madison University in the fall. My parents are Dan and Gina Mahone, and I have 1 little brother, Danny.
I decided to march after my director, Mr. Kennedy, convinced me to try it. I had been to several shows in the past few years, and thought it was really cool, but never had the confidence to go audition. That changed this year when Matt, one of our band staff members, and an OVT alumnus told me I should audition along with a few other people from SCSS. So I drove with 3 of my friends to Huntington in November and auditioned.
I was pretty itimidated at first, I was one of the younger kids auditioning for mellophone, and there were 8 people auditioning for 4 spots in the line. This in addition to I had only played mellophone for two years, and my primary instrument was still saxophone. Much to my surprise, I got a call back for December. I went back in December and I was offered a contract!
When it came time for Spring Training, I was again pretty nervous since I had heard stories about people getting really sick during them, and I am sort of a pansy. It turns out, I got psyched out for nothing! It was definitely one of the hardest things I've done, but it was also very fun. This whole experience has been great this far, and I am so glad I have got to experience it with my friends Rocky, who is marching baritone, Adam, who is marching cymbals, and Sam, who is in the guard.
I'm so very excited to be starting tour! Our first show was amazing, and the energy that was flowing from the audience when we first stepped on the field in Benson was awesome! I can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.
I feel I am one step closer to being Box 5!
A little about myself, I am 18 years old, and I am from Lorton, VA. I just graduated from South County Secondary, and I will be a freshman at the James Madison University in the fall. My parents are Dan and Gina Mahone, and I have 1 little brother, Danny.
I decided to march after my director, Mr. Kennedy, convinced me to try it. I had been to several shows in the past few years, and thought it was really cool, but never had the confidence to go audition. That changed this year when Matt, one of our band staff members, and an OVT alumnus told me I should audition along with a few other people from SCSS. So I drove with 3 of my friends to Huntington in November and auditioned.
I was pretty itimidated at first, I was one of the younger kids auditioning for mellophone, and there were 8 people auditioning for 4 spots in the line. This in addition to I had only played mellophone for two years, and my primary instrument was still saxophone. Much to my surprise, I got a call back for December. I went back in December and I was offered a contract!
When it came time for Spring Training, I was again pretty nervous since I had heard stories about people getting really sick during them, and I am sort of a pansy. It turns out, I got psyched out for nothing! It was definitely one of the hardest things I've done, but it was also very fun. This whole experience has been great this far, and I am so glad I have got to experience it with my friends Rocky, who is marching baritone, Adam, who is marching cymbals, and Sam, who is in the guard.
I'm so very excited to be starting tour! Our first show was amazing, and the energy that was flowing from the audience when we first stepped on the field in Benson was awesome! I can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.
I feel I am one step closer to being Box 5!
Color My World #1
Hey there, it's Amanda, and this is my blog for this season. It's hard to believe that this is the beginning of my final year of marching. 
But enough with the bummer, it's time for an awesome summer!!!!
Today we are in Garner, NC rehearsing before our very first show in Benson, NC tonight! Tonight will be our first real test of how this season will really be. Camps are over, Move-Ins are over, this is the real deal tonight. If there is a drop, there are going to be people who will notice, if there is a bad catch or release, somebody will notice. Even though the past the past 3 weeks we have rehearsed 12 hours a day, tonight is the first night that everything will count. It is so interesting to sit and listen to everyone talk about it. There is a vibe in the air from the rookies all the way to the seasoned vets, there is an excitement, a nervousness, but more importantly a hunger; a hunger to get out there and show what we've worked so hard on. It is as if this show is our masterpiece, and many of us our swan song. Everyone loves the music, and I believe that the love for the music in combination with the love for the art is going to be what is going to push us to the top this season.
I have to get back to rehearsal, but I will be writing more as soon as I can! Have a great day.
Love,
Mandy <3
But enough with the bummer, it's time for an awesome summer!!!!
Today we are in Garner, NC rehearsing before our very first show in Benson, NC tonight! Tonight will be our first real test of how this season will really be. Camps are over, Move-Ins are over, this is the real deal tonight. If there is a drop, there are going to be people who will notice, if there is a bad catch or release, somebody will notice. Even though the past the past 3 weeks we have rehearsed 12 hours a day, tonight is the first night that everything will count. It is so interesting to sit and listen to everyone talk about it. There is a vibe in the air from the rookies all the way to the seasoned vets, there is an excitement, a nervousness, but more importantly a hunger; a hunger to get out there and show what we've worked so hard on. It is as if this show is our masterpiece, and many of us our swan song. Everyone loves the music, and I believe that the love for the music in combination with the love for the art is going to be what is going to push us to the top this season.
I have to get back to rehearsal, but I will be writing more as soon as I can! Have a great day.
Love,
Mandy <3
View From the Podium #1
Hey there corps fans, we are in Huntington getting ready to head to Garner, NC to start the season, and thus marking the official beginning of my ageout.
Here is some more background information about me; my name is Andrew John "A.J." Steiner, I am 21 years old, and originally from Mason, OH. My parents are Bill and Sheryl Steiner, and I have 2 older brothers, 1 younger brother, and 1 younger sister. I attend school at Marshall University in Huntington where I am pursuing a Music Education degree with a minor in American History. I have been playing music since I started taking piano lessons at the age of 4 back home in Mason. I heard about Ohio Valley Thunder when I was a junior at MHS, and decided to audition initially for a tenors spot, but after being cut in the second round, marched front ensemble my first year. I enjoyed it so much, that I stuck with it the next year before trying out for drum major my third year, and now I have been drum major for 3 years. This season is a little different for me since I am the head drum major. My first year of being selected as drum major, I was the backfield conductor, then the following year moved to the front of the field but did not have the main podium. This also means I will also be brought new responsibilities such as being the absolute last person in line for meals, the last person asleep after lights out, and typically the last person on the bus, but I am very excited for the leadership opportunity.
I am very excited about the season to come. Everybody worked very hard during the off-season and during Spring Training to learn their show, and it is showing. While we are pretty young as a corps this year after having 30 members ageout last year, I still think that we can do great things. I think that though we may struggle, we will perservier, and even though there will be lots of battles on the road, we will take them all head on. I can't really think of much else to write so I will stop before I start to babble. Stay tuned for more from the podium...
Here is some more background information about me; my name is Andrew John "A.J." Steiner, I am 21 years old, and originally from Mason, OH. My parents are Bill and Sheryl Steiner, and I have 2 older brothers, 1 younger brother, and 1 younger sister. I attend school at Marshall University in Huntington where I am pursuing a Music Education degree with a minor in American History. I have been playing music since I started taking piano lessons at the age of 4 back home in Mason. I heard about Ohio Valley Thunder when I was a junior at MHS, and decided to audition initially for a tenors spot, but after being cut in the second round, marched front ensemble my first year. I enjoyed it so much, that I stuck with it the next year before trying out for drum major my third year, and now I have been drum major for 3 years. This season is a little different for me since I am the head drum major. My first year of being selected as drum major, I was the backfield conductor, then the following year moved to the front of the field but did not have the main podium. This also means I will also be brought new responsibilities such as being the absolute last person in line for meals, the last person asleep after lights out, and typically the last person on the bus, but I am very excited for the leadership opportunity.
I am very excited about the season to come. Everybody worked very hard during the off-season and during Spring Training to learn their show, and it is showing. While we are pretty young as a corps this year after having 30 members ageout last year, I still think that we can do great things. I think that though we may struggle, we will perservier, and even though there will be lots of battles on the road, we will take them all head on. I can't really think of much else to write so I will stop before I start to babble. Stay tuned for more from the podium...
Season XII Member Blogs
This season we picked 12 individuals to blog for us throughout the season. They represent every aspect of the drum corps from rookies to ageouts, from drummers to the drum majors. Let's meet them shall we?
The View From the Podium by A.J. Steiner - Hi! My name is A.J. Steiner, and I am the drum major for the Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my 5th season with the corp and 3rd season as drum major; I am 21-years old, so this is my ageout season. I am a junior Music Education major at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and I am originally from Mason, OH.
The View from the Back by Adam Woody - My name is Adam Woody, I am the backfield conductor for the Ohio Valley Thunder, and this is my 3rd season with the corps and my 1st as conductor. I am 20-years old, and I am a sophomore Agricultural Engineering major at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. I am originally from Monticello, KY.
Color My World by Amanda Ottman - Hi, I'm Amanda Ottman, I am the colorguard captain for the Ohio Valley Thunder, and this is my 4th, and sadly final season with the corps. I am 21-years old, and I am a junior Communications major at Marshall University. I am originally from Miamisburg, OH.
Just Keep Spinning by Emma Steele - Hey there, my name is Emma Steele, this is my first season in the colorguard at Ohio Valley Thunder. I am 17-years old, and I just graduated from South Point HS in South Point, OH.
Higher, Faster, Louder by Matt Foster - Hi, I'm Matt Foster, I play lead trumpet for Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my 3rd season in the corps. I am 20-years, and I am a sophomore Music Education major at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I am originally from Marshall, NC.
Emilynn's Journey to Becoming Box 5 by Emilynn Mahone - Hello! My name is Emilynn Mahone, I play mellophone with Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my first season with the corps. I am 18-years old, and I am from Lorton, VA, and a recent graduate of South County Secondary School.
Somewhere in the Middle by Chase McDermott - Hi friends, my name is Chase McDermott, I am a lead baritone with Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my first season. I am 19-years old, and I am a History major at USC-Upstate. I am originally from Mauldin, SC.
The Down Low by Sterling Ryan - Hello, I am Sterling Ryan, I play contra for Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my 5th and sadly, final season with the corps. I am 21-years old, and I am a junior Biochemistry major at the University of Tulsa. I am originally from Bentonville, AR.
Man v. Drum by Adam Liegey - Hi, my name is Adam Liegey, I play bass #5 for Ohio Valley Thunder, and this is my 2nd year with the corps. I am 20-years old, I am originally from Grove City, OH, and I attend school at Capital University in Bexley, OH where I am pursing a degree in Music Education.
Don't Forget to DUHT! by Tyler Young - Hi, I'm Tyler Young, I'm 18-years old, and this is my first season playing snare drum in the Ohio Valley Thunder. I am from Carmel, IN and just graduated from Carmel HS.
Thoughts and Permutations by Mandy Skeens - Hi, I'm Mandy, and I play the marimba. This is my 2nd year with Ohio Valley Thunder. I am 20-years old, orginially from Hurricane, WV (pronounced HURR-ick-un), and I am a sophomore English Education major at Marshall University.
The Old Man and the Marimba by E.J. McGhettighen - Hey, I'm E.J. McGhettighen, and I play marimba with Ohio Valley Thunder. This is my 5th year with the corps, and I am the pit captain. I am 21-years old (soon to be 22), and I am a senior Percussion Performance major at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. I am originally from San Antonio, TX.
So there you have it, folks! Be sure to tune in, and catch up with our bloggers as we head down the road to Indianapolis!
The View From the Podium by A.J. Steiner - Hi! My name is A.J. Steiner, and I am the drum major for the Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my 5th season with the corp and 3rd season as drum major; I am 21-years old, so this is my ageout season. I am a junior Music Education major at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and I am originally from Mason, OH.
The View from the Back by Adam Woody - My name is Adam Woody, I am the backfield conductor for the Ohio Valley Thunder, and this is my 3rd season with the corps and my 1st as conductor. I am 20-years old, and I am a sophomore Agricultural Engineering major at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. I am originally from Monticello, KY.
Color My World by Amanda Ottman - Hi, I'm Amanda Ottman, I am the colorguard captain for the Ohio Valley Thunder, and this is my 4th, and sadly final season with the corps. I am 21-years old, and I am a junior Communications major at Marshall University. I am originally from Miamisburg, OH.
Just Keep Spinning by Emma Steele - Hey there, my name is Emma Steele, this is my first season in the colorguard at Ohio Valley Thunder. I am 17-years old, and I just graduated from South Point HS in South Point, OH.
Higher, Faster, Louder by Matt Foster - Hi, I'm Matt Foster, I play lead trumpet for Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my 3rd season in the corps. I am 20-years, and I am a sophomore Music Education major at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I am originally from Marshall, NC.
Emilynn's Journey to Becoming Box 5 by Emilynn Mahone - Hello! My name is Emilynn Mahone, I play mellophone with Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my first season with the corps. I am 18-years old, and I am from Lorton, VA, and a recent graduate of South County Secondary School.
Somewhere in the Middle by Chase McDermott - Hi friends, my name is Chase McDermott, I am a lead baritone with Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my first season. I am 19-years old, and I am a History major at USC-Upstate. I am originally from Mauldin, SC.
The Down Low by Sterling Ryan - Hello, I am Sterling Ryan, I play contra for Ohio Valley Thunder, this is my 5th and sadly, final season with the corps. I am 21-years old, and I am a junior Biochemistry major at the University of Tulsa. I am originally from Bentonville, AR.
Man v. Drum by Adam Liegey - Hi, my name is Adam Liegey, I play bass #5 for Ohio Valley Thunder, and this is my 2nd year with the corps. I am 20-years old, I am originally from Grove City, OH, and I attend school at Capital University in Bexley, OH where I am pursing a degree in Music Education.
Don't Forget to DUHT! by Tyler Young - Hi, I'm Tyler Young, I'm 18-years old, and this is my first season playing snare drum in the Ohio Valley Thunder. I am from Carmel, IN and just graduated from Carmel HS.
Thoughts and Permutations by Mandy Skeens - Hi, I'm Mandy, and I play the marimba. This is my 2nd year with Ohio Valley Thunder. I am 20-years old, orginially from Hurricane, WV (pronounced HURR-ick-un), and I am a sophomore English Education major at Marshall University.
The Old Man and the Marimba by E.J. McGhettighen - Hey, I'm E.J. McGhettighen, and I play marimba with Ohio Valley Thunder. This is my 5th year with the corps, and I am the pit captain. I am 21-years old (soon to be 22), and I am a senior Percussion Performance major at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. I am originally from San Antonio, TX.
So there you have it, folks! Be sure to tune in, and catch up with our bloggers as we head down the road to Indianapolis!
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