Atlantic Indoor Association

Kevin White has announced AIA shows for four years, beginning when he switched from the Show Coordinator position to try something new. As announcer/sound tech he gets to watch all the great performances that our awesome young people put on. During the week he is a Park Maintenance Leader with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, where he oversees the upkeep of the largest park in the Montgomery/Prince Georges County system. Little Bennett Regional Park at almost 4,000 acres of beautiful natural habitat. This valued veteran of indoor pageantry is one of the true gentlemen of the circuit, always with a smile for acquaintances and a friendly joke for the adults in the room. He also does something every weekend that rarely occurs to most of us: he makes our shows hum.

MK: Hailing from Waterloo, Iowa, how did you end up settling in Germantown, Maryland?

KW: I left Waterloo when I was 19 to join the Marines. I spent 8 years in the Corps and then numerous years in restaurant management, before settling in the DC area. The real reason I initially moved to this area was my son. I was living in California in 1989 and my son and his mother were living in Salisbury, Md. I was only able to see him once a year and he was getting to the age where he was asking me to come to this and come to that. My wife and I quit our jobs, packed up and moved to this area in the spring of 1990, so that I could be closer to my son and be a more integral part of his life.

MK: Tell us about your background in the marching arts. Were you a member, an instructor, or did you come to the activity through your kids?

KW: Actually, I was never in high school band. I come from a drum corps family. My father was in a senior corps and my brother and I marched in junior drum corps in my home town in Iowa. I was a member of the Chevaliers from Waterloo, Iowa from 1969-1974. In 1975 we merged with another local drum corps and I was a member of the Royal Chevaliers in 1975 and 1976. I played soprano bugle as well as mellophone. My only instructional experience was in 1980 when I helped the Colts on their visual staff.

MK: What attracted you to announcing shows and the grueling volunteer work of making shows go? What do you do during the fall?

KW: I started out coordinating shows for AIA. When the previous announcer left I saw an opportunity to try something new. To expand my horizons, so to speak. In the fall I coordinate and manage events for USSBA. I've been doing that for approximately 13 years. Through my work with USSBA, I met numerous folks that had an affiliation with AIA. When an opportunity arose for a show coordinator they asked me if I would be interested in working with an indoor circuit. I jumped at the chance to find out what all the hype was about winter guard and percussion. I was not disappointed. It's been a joy and an honor to work with such great people and awesome young men and women. As you stated, it can be grueling at times, but the reward of seeing the joy that all these activities bring to our youth is beyond measure.

MK: Were your expectations fulfilled? What do you like most about working shows “at the table”? What do like least about running shows?

KW: My expectations have been fulfilled thousands of times over. My favorite things about being at the table are watching the performances and the performers reactions, getting to interact with the staff and kids on a weekly basis. Forming those life long friendships and getting everyone out of the stands and on to the floor to dance and have a great experience while waiting for the scores. I don't feel there is anything I dislike except when it's all over. Some of my most memorable times have happened either in the fall or winter season. I love being a part of making lasting memories for these wonderful young adults.

MK: You are huge Capitals fan. What do you do when they’re playing on Saturdays during the winter?

KW: Let someone else go to the game. My commitment to the organization and the participants comes first. I do keep an eye on the score as the night goes along, though.

Do you have suggestions or submissions? War stories from the floor, questions or other interests? Email Michael Kirby at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .