Bluegrass Brass

People of all ages are learning from each other in the Bluegrass Brass Senior Drum and Bugle Corps.

Ages of the 40 members of the corps range from 15 to 55.

"That's one thing that makes us unique. Since we're classified as a senior corps, there's no upper age maximum. We're designed to give adults a chance to still perform on the weekend," says Phil Stiers, who is on the board of directors.

Not only do parents and children perform together, but the group pulls people of all ages together. "Older people are understanding the teens and the teens are gaining a new respect for people over 40," Stiers says.

The corps organized in the fall of 1991, and is made up of 25 horns and 15 percussion players. Members come from five states, including Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. They rehearse in Louisville at Senecca High School because it's centrally located. Jeff Cox is director.

The group used to be sponsored by the Horse Park but now is independent and looking for a new sponsor. It originally played music with a horse motif. "You run out of horse tunes after a couple of years. We found it helpful for our competitions to play more classical music," Stiers notes.

They have performed at drum and bugle corps competitions in Toledo, Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Charleston. They also appeared on ABC's morning show, "The Home Show," when it broadcast from the Horse Park. They are regulars at the Governor's Derby Breakfast and the Fourth of July parade in Lexington.