Childhood and Family
This quiet College Town in Southern Indiana is where Mr. Douglas calls home. Other things to put this town on the map are Indiana University, one of the largest Tibetan Monasteries in the US, and location for the films "Breaking Away" and "Hoosiers".
What is Bloomington, IN?
In my high school concert bands and marching band, I was pegged as the "THIS" player, which was great for my self-esteem but maybe not so great for my musicianship... Since I almost always was assigned to play "THIS," I did not learn to read notes on the staff until around 10th grade. But don't worry, I sort of can now.
What is the Snare Drum?
I was raised on healthy servings of classic rock. My father, born in 1958, likes to brag about all the cool bands he got to see live and I am MOST jealous of "THIS 70s ROCK GROUP" being on his list. No fair! Dad got to see John Bonham HIT THE DRUMS!
Who is Led Zeppelin?
Last year's Symphonic Band already knows: I love video games. In fact, the day I was invited to interview and run a rehearsal here at Thomas Worthington, I had already picked up my pre-order copy of "THIS." After the rehearsal I went home and played it for WAY too long.
What is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
I have always had pets growing up. It was a bummer not having pets in college so my boss sent an email advertising "THIS" pet, I fell in love with her! I named her Guinevere (Guin for short) after the Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young song.
What is a Cat?
John "_________" Mellencamp (singer song writer of "Jack and Diane", "Born in the USA") is also a local hero in Mr. Douglas's home town. Mr. Douglas's high school mascot even comes from Mellencamp's feline nickname.
What is a Cougar?
After High School I decided to participate in Drum and Bugle Corps, but I wanted to be able to keep my day job and see my family over the summer, so DCI was not for me. Luckily, "THIS ORGANIZATION" existed, which provides a weekends-only approach for drum corps and no age-out cap. I greatly appreciated being apart of the Racine Kilties in 2016 and Cincinnati Tradition in 2018 and 2021.
What is DCA (Drum Corps Associates)?
One of the best birthday experiences is the gift of live music! Most of my birthdays have been at band camp, but in 2009 my dad and I traveled to Chicago for my 12th birthday to see "THIS FORMER BEATLE" play a 4 hour long show. He played an hour past curfew and ended the night with a fireworks display set to his 70s hit, "Live and Let Die."
Who is Paul McCartney?
I share a birthday with "THIS" fictional wizard. I think finding out this fun fact at age 11 really helped me put myself in the pages of the story, which lead me down a long rabbit hole of fantasy literature.
Who is Harry Potter?
My half-sister is 13 years younger than me, meaning most of you guys are probably older than her! It's very fun to have a kid-sister, but since she is back in Indiana with Mom, I have missed out on a lot of her life. But! I did get to watch the live stream of her middle school theater production of "THIS:THE MUSICAL" where she played the evil Miss Trunchbull!
What is Matilda?
Sorry, Columbus. Mr. Douglas's father Michael is a PROUD college drop out from "THIS" university. However, Mr. Douglas will always root for the Hoosiers to stay out of the rivalry.
What is the University of Michigan?
When I got to Wright State for music school, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to practice to my hearts content and study with Sgt. Jerry Noble, from the Air Force Band of Flight and Dayton Philharmonic. Prof. Noble stressed the importance of good sound quality on ALL percussion instruments, ESPECIALLY the ones that can be sometimes neglected and looked upon as "easy" when compared to snare drum or marimba. His solution: Practice "THESE TWO PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS" for 10 minutes a day.
What are Crash Cymbals and Tambourine?
One of the most soothing sounds I have found is "THIS," a relatively modern instrument that snuck its way into the jazz world around the 30s and 40s. Although I dabble, I am no where near the level of mastery as Milt Jackson or Gary Burton, pioneers of the instrument... hence the name Burton Grip ;)
What is Jazz Vibraphone?
List the following TV shows from least awesome to most awesome according to how you think I would list them:
1. Game of Thrones
2. Naruto
3. The Office
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender
5. Loki
1. Avatar: The Last Airbender
2. The Office
3. Naruto
4. Game of Thrones
5. Loki
For a year of college I worked part time in "THIS BUILDING" as an internal processor... It was nice quiet work, with lots of opportunity to listen to album after album or entire series podcasts. Lots of papercuts though!
What is the Library?
Mr. Douglas's step father is almost 7ft tall and is from This Baltic Nation, located between Estonia and Lithuania. Once part of the Soviet Union, this country has a long history of folklore and freedom-fighting.
What is Latvia?
As you know I am a percussion specialist so maybe you will be surprised to learn I actually marched an entire season of drum corps on "THIS BRASS INSTRUMENT." The summer of 2021 was a fever dream, as our section was 75% displaced woodwinds and percussionists. Imagine the laughs and joy when we won 3rd place in Brass at World Finals that year!
What is the Mellophone?
My parents (both old hippies) met on their way to a Grateful Dead concert in the 80s. The band I have seen more than any other (a whopping 50+ times) is the current version of the band, Dead and Company, featuring the still-alive original members and "THIS TAYOR SWIFT EX-BOYFRIEND GUITARIST" sitting in the roll of lead guitar. He's no Jerry Garcia but he can jam!
Who is John Mayer?
Rank the following films/franchises from least awesome to most awesome according to how you think I would list them:
1. Star Wars
2. The Marvel Cinematic Universe
3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
4. The Blues Brothers
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. The Blues Brothers
3. The Marvel Cinematic Universe
4. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
5. Star Wars
I love to cook! One of my "odd-jobs" in college was working as a cook in "THIS" restaurant, where literally everything is a grilled cheese. I haven't been since they closed the Dayton location I used to work at, but I hear there is one in Easton.
What is Melt?
As a part of my high school's music program, I was VERY lucky to have basically every opportunity to perform available to me. My desire to be as well-rounded a percussionist as I could be lead me to making music and friends that I would never have expected! THIS ensemble ended up being my personal favorite to play with every year because of the unique experiences and people. Hint: It's NOT marching band! :0
What is Musical Pit Orchestra?
Although I would never vote for "THIS Chicago Rapper" in a presidential campaign, I was the first one at Wright State to jump on the opportunity to join him and Dayton-local Dave Chappelle, in a benefit concert as a member of the Sunday Service Choir and Drumline.
Who is Kanye West?
Another birthday concert! For my 25th, I splurged to celebrate the fact that I did NOT have band camp on my birthday for the first time in 8 years. My girlfriend and I traveled to Nashville, TN to see my favorite rapper, the GOAT, "THIS MAN" on his tour with his album "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers." I got a toenail ripped off in the mosh pit. #worthit
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
I have always loved card games and board games and I am cursed with that Pokemon "Gotta catch em all" mentality of collecting things. This has caused me to have one expensive hobby: I love "THIS CARD GAME" and even have one card that is worth more than my car. Please help, I have a problem.
What is Magic: The Gathering?
My first job as a music educator was Band Director for Northeastern High School, in Springfield. This past Spring, I had the pleasure of designing and teaching my favorite show (so far...), featuring music from "THIS ENGLISH ART-GRUNGE BAND." The kids did great bringing one of my favorite bands to the indoor percussion stage. Hint: "I'm a Creep, I'm a Weirdo..."
What is Radiohead?