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728 Cadets 2013 Season - A Simple Gift

By Cindy Martin, 06/30/13, 10:00PM CDT

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View the 2013 production A Simple Gift: https://vimeo.com/74488411

The 728 Cadets Marching Band enjoyed another successful weekend, earning top honors at the Osseo Marching Band Festival and the Vikingland Marching Band Festival in Alexandria, MN this weekend. The Osseo festival featured 14 competing bands on Saturday, June 30, where the 728 Cadets and Mankato’s 77 Lancers tied for both the AAA Champion and Grand Champion awards—marking the first time in the festival’s 30 year history that two bands have shared the Grand Champion title.  The Cadets built on the Saturday’s successful performance by winning the class AAAA Champion and Grand Champion titles at Sunday’s Vikingland Marching Band Festival in Alexandria, MN.  As the summer’s largest band festival, the Alexandria competition featured 21 marching bands who performed to an estimated 20,000 spectators.  Considered by many who participate to be the state championship, the Vikingland Grand Champion is the season’s most coveted title. The Vikingland Class AAAA and Grand Champion titles are the Cadet’s first in their 6 year history. Director, Tom Gallus, praised the Cadets’ performance, saying, “This weekend the Cadets found a new level.  The staff always knew what these kids are capable of, but it took some extra digging from the students to find what it really means to perform with true heart and emotion.  I couldn’t be more proud of these kids.”

The Cadets' production, A Simple Gift, marries elements of music performance, marching techniques, and theatre, and depicts the timeless tale of the Wizard of Oz' character, the Tin Man, receiving a gift of his greatest desire—a heart. The marching band production is directed by Tom Gallus, and features music from Chorale and Shaker Dance by John Zdechlik.  Tom Gallus' team includes Mike Reed (Musical Director), Sarah Gallus (Color Guard Director), Jared Peterson (Color Guard Assistant Director) and Joe Jaeger (Drumline Director).

The 728 Cadets include 94 talented students from District 728 schools, including Elk River, Rogers, and Zimmerman. The 728 Cadets organization strives to equip their members with the highest level of education in percussion, musicianship and life skills.

View 2013 season video highlights: https://vimeo.com/72083297