Drum Corps International Bring Their Sound To Statesmen Stadium

Drum Corps Mid-America team ‘Shadow’ performed in Oskaloosa on Saturday evening.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Drum Corps International has visited Oskaloosa for the past four years, bringing their excitement and push for excellence once again to Statesmen Stadium.

During the summer, thousands of young people who have a passion for music brave the summer heat and long hours, combined with a grueling schedule, to take part in Drum Corps Mid-America.

Many of those young men and women have left their everyday lives, moms, dads, and friends for a summer of hard work. This hard work is all in a desire to reach a higher level in their music endeavors.

Six of those groups landed in Oskaloosa over the weekend to once again showcase the hard work and dedication. The participants, and the thousands of others, have perfected their music, movement on the field, and the vibrant colors that graced the field, and they put it all on display Saturday night.

Terry DeJong, Director of Athletic Bands for William Penn University, said the program came to Oskaloosa after a contest in St. Louis canceled a few months before it was scheduled to happen.

Drum Corps International then noticed that Oskaloosa was along their travel routes, and was familiar with the community because camps were being hosted in town.

An invitation was then extended to host a competition.

That first year, only three bands made an appearance since it was a new stop. Since then, between six to eight bands have participated.

On Saturday night, six bands took to the field to impress the audience and the judges.

Those bands came from California, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Iowa.

There are two classes to Drum Corps International, the open class like those that performed in Oskaloosa on Saturday, and the World Class.

DeJong says that some of the open league are very good, and can compete directly with the World Class. “Open Class are literally beating a lot of the World Class scores at this time of the year. It can vary which organization it is.”

DeJong hopes to see the event continue on into the future.

It’s also a benefit to Oskaloosa and William Penn to host the competition. Participants get to see and experience the facilities available at William Penn University, and viewers from around the world get an inside look at William Penn.

DeJong says that the participants “spread the word” about William Penn as they return home.

The final scores are as follows-

1 Gold 71.700
2 Louisiana Stars 66.650
3 River City Rhythm 66.400
4 Guardians 65.550
5 Shadow 63.200
6 Colt Cadets 59.450