ROME – Born and raised in Norwich, Santa Clara Vanguard trumpeter Jonathan Calhoun, who will perform with the group Thursday at the Drums Along the Mohawk (DATM) event in Rome, has a unique history when it comes to Drum Corps International (DCI). Not only was his grandfather a co-founder of the Watkins Glen-based Squires Drum and Bugle Corps, his parents actually met while marching with the very same troupe.

The focus at Thursday’s performance, however, will be Jonathan himself, who, earlier this week, turned 22 years old and has now “aged-out” of the Vanguard ensemble, marking this as his final performance with the group.

In addition, DATM Publicity Coordinator Roseann Grotevant reported that Calhoun, who’s performed with the Vanguard for the past two seasons, will be presented with one of six Music For Kids 2010 Tour Awards, a $500 scholarship the fourth-generation corpsman earned by penning an essay on the importance of the drum corps in his life and in his family’s history.