FOREST CITY – North Iowa Marching Arts and Pageantry, Inc. will host Forest City’s first annual Northern Festival of Brass event August 1 at 7 p.m. at the Forest City High School. This is an officially sanctioned competition through Drum Corps International (DCI) and is part of the DCI summer performance tour.
The Northern Festival of Brass is also the first event sponsored and organized by North Iowa Marching Arts and Pageantry, Inc., a non-profit organization that was formed in December to support arts education in North Iowa. “Our vision is for this to become an annual event and be the flagship fund raiser for the organization,” Chris Ward, one of the founding board members of North Iowa Marching Arts and Pageantry, Inc. and adjunct instructor of Music at Waldorf College. “DCI is excited that our goal is to develop an ongoing annual event and is very supportive of our efforts.” DCI scheduled this competition as the final show before World Championship Finals to be held in Indianapolis, Ind., in early August.
Ward said this event will bring many people to Forest City and to Waldorf College. The North Iowa Music and Arts Pageantry is expecting over 1,000 spectators, 100 volunteers and nearly 1,000 performers traveling with the corps to attend the event. “It will be a great way to show off what we have to offer in Forest City and on [Waldorf] campus,” he said. “ I also think it is an amazing inspiration to see the positive experience the young people involved have in drum corps create.”
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the event. The High School Band Boosters will be grilling BBQ pork and other items to be served at the concession stand, so spectators are encouraged to arrive early for dinner and to browse the corps souvenir booths.
All proceeds from this event will benefit North Iowa Music Arts and Pageantry, Inc., who will use the funds to support arts education and performances in North Iowa. The organization plans to offer assistance through college scholarships, covering membership fees for students involved in drum corps, and giving direct support to public and private school arts programs.
All tickets are general admission and can be purchased at Manufacturer’s Bank and Trust Company, Titonka Savings Bank, The Forest City Chamber of Commerce, and at the gate of the event.
