Music

March Your Way to Menomonie

Drum Corps International competition rolls into UW-Stout’s Williams Stadium

Rebecca Mennecke |

The Madison Scouts (Image: Alexdi | CC BY 3.0
The Madison Scouts (Image: Alexdi | CC BY 3.0

Drum Corps International – a collection of the most prestigious marching ensembles in the world – is set to roll-step its way to Menomonie as a part of a tour of competitions around the country. In a span of 52 days, DCI bands will compete in 108 events in 35 states, according to their website. On July 7, locals will have the opportunity to see these top drum corps in action at UW-Stout’s Williams Stadium. The competition will feature bands such as the Madison Scouts, the Blue Stars, the Crossmen, the Cadets, the Bluecoats, and the holder of the 2018 DCI title, the Santa Clara Vanguard. Jonathan Broschk, a music education student at UW-Eau Claire, is traveling with the Scouts this season. “The crowd sitting in the stands, being in uniform, holding freshly polished instruments, all while standing two inches taller gives quite the rush,” Broschk said. Each band is judged in three categories: Visual, Music, and General Effect. “Our hornline is capable of being one decibel away from being as loud as a jet engine,” Broschk said. Logan Wherry, a finance student at UWEC, travelled with the Blue Stars in 2018. “Competing around the area was my favorite part of the tour,” Wherry said, “because I had the opportunity to show people I knew what I had worked so hard on and being able to share the experience I was having with them.” The box office opens at 1pm, gates open at 3pm, and the event begins at 4:30pm. Tickets range from $23-50, depending on seat location, and are available online and at the box office. Prices will increase after online sales end July 2. 

Drum Corps International marching band competition • Sunday, July 7, 4:30pm to 9:55pm • Don and Nona Williams Stadium, UW-Stout  • 114 17th Ave. E, Menomonie, WI • $23-50 • www.dci.org/events/2019-dci-menomonie • (317) 275-1212