Catching Blue Knight fever

Even as most college students soak up some sun, 20-year-old Estephan Quintela found himself preparing to head back out into the rain and mud and provide the sound of music.

Quintela is currently the only member of the Permian Basin in the world-renowned Blue Knights Drum Corps. He plays the euphonium for the group.

“This is something that we all just really enjoy doing,” Quintela said, detailing the constant summer playing schedule they keep. “We give our entire selves to this.”

Quintela’s mother Liz Quintela said she and her husband are proud of their son.

“He has worked very hard for this. This was his first year to try out, and he made it,” she said. “Of the 10 students from West Texas A&M up there in Canyon only five made it. We’re just very, very proud.”

Quintela said he plans to continue his musicianship as long as time allows. He currently is majoring in music education in hopes to become a future band director in the area that first gave him the love of music.

“I really enjoy music, and mom’s a teacher, so I guess it came naturally,” he said. “I just want to spread music education, especially in the West Texas area.”

On the net:

>> The Blue Knights Drum Corps official website: www.bknights.org

>> The official website of the Drum Corps International: www.DCI.org