Many of us find our passions early in life. Whether it's little league, dance class, music or math, we often gravitate toward that one thing that makes each day worth living.

Jacqie Rotch, of Spanish Fort, is no different.

“My family has always been musically adept,” she began.

She grew up in a family where her father played trumpet and her mother played drums; she began taking violin lessons at age 8. She recalled that her parents bought a drum set for her brother, and she couldn't stop playing it.

She said she remembers watching the drums and drum lines of Drum Corps International on ESPN and was inspired early on.

“In 2010, 2012 and now, I've been drum major (for Spirit of Atlanta drum and bugle corps),” she explained. “DCI is a lot of hard work and it's pretty much all year long. We have camps in the winter, finals in August – we only have September off. DCI is known as marching music's major league.”

For this year's show, “Speakeasy,” the repertoire is: “Overture” from “Chicago, “ by John Kander; “Concerto in F,” by George Gershwin; “Symphony No. 2,” by Paul Creston; “Songs for Simon,” by John Psathas; “Crazy World” from “Victor Victoria,” by Henry Mancini; “Sweet Georgia Brown,” by Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard; and “All That Jazz” from “Chicago,” by John Kander.

Spirit of Atlanta recently performed in Ocean Springs and Hattiesburg, Miss., then traveled to Atlanta for the Southeastern Championship where the corp placed 11th out of 21 corps, with a score of 82.700.

Though she's put in many grueling hours on football fields across the country, Rotch said she wouldn't have it any other way. She plans to continue with Spirit of Atlanta until she ages out in two years.

When asked what's in store after drum corps, she replied, “I go to South Alabama (the University of South Alabama in Mobile) and I'd like to start interning at the radio there.”

She said she believe the drum corps experience is ideal for young musicians, and hopes that others will choose summers filled marching in stadiums, relentless rehearsals and the pride of musical competition and performance.

“I definitely would recommend drum corps,” she said, noting how many drum corps alumni go on to join famous symphony orchestras. “It's very good for students to find a corps you like, find a style, find the right corps for you and audition.”

DCI World Championship Finals will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. For more information on the live web cast or event tickets, visit dci.org.

To learn more about Spirit of Atlanta, visit spiritdrumcorps.org. To watch the corps play “Georgia” during an encore performance in Erie, Pa., visit youtu.be/bfVWe5B8ro8.

About Spirit of Atlanta

According to the Mississippi Sound Spectacular program, founded in 1976, Spirit of Atlanta quickly rose to drum corps prominence with a sixth-place finish in the corps' second season. Known during its formative years for a huge brass sound and performances that evoke the soulful and sultry persona of the South, the group has claimed a spot in the DCI World Championship Finals 19 times. Known by several different names over the years, the group reclaimed its performance identity in 2011 and returned to its original Spirit of Atlanta moniker for the first time in more than a decade. Visit spiritdrumcorps.org for membership, support and contact information.

Drum Corps International

According to dci.org, from modest beginnings more than three decades ago, Drum Corps International (DCI) has developed into a powerful, nonprofit, global youth activity with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence. Through the annual DCI Tour and more than 35 World Championships in 17 North American cities, Drum Corps International provides entertainment to millions through live performances and nationally-televised events. Tours, donations, corps, auditions and other information can be found at dci.org.