Colts and Colt Cadets Finish Strong In 2018

August 15, 2018

The Colts and Colt Cadets concluded their 2018 seasons with performances in the Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis the weekend of August 9 - 11. The Colt Cadets finished 13th at the DCI Open Class Championships in Michigan City on Monday, and ended their season with a score of 61.800 Thursday morning in Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts made a strong charge at the end of the season, being featured on their sixth consecutive “Big, Loud, and Live” broadcast on Thursday, August 9. The Colts ended their season with a jump into 14th with a score of 84.612 on Friday, August 10. The crowd reaction to both performances in Lucas Oil was truly one of a kind, with audiences leaping to their feet well before the end of the show.

Both corps wrapped up their competitive seasons and dismissed from Ball State University on Saturday, August 11. The end of season wrap up for both corps included speeches from all caption heads, both corps directors, playing of the corps song, and, for Colts, speeches from its 29 age outs.

The Colts media team was hard at work throughout the summer, documenting every move, note, rim shot, and catch on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Be sure to check out the great pictures and videos!

This season for the Colts continued to build on successes from the previous year, which much of the design and instructional team, as well as membership, returning. The Colts were able to provide access to the activity to a higher number of students this year by holding auditions in St. Louis, San Antonio, Tampa, and Miami, as well as in Dubuque. The corps production, True Believer, was a fan favorite throughout the summer - every night the audience was on their feet by the end of the show. The Colts Cymbal Line competed in the annual Drum Corps International Performer’s Showcase with their original composition, Unplugged. The cymbal line received first place this year, winning the gold medal for the first time since 2006. The four cymbal players were recognized Friday night during the scholarship, awards, and recognition portion of the DCI Semifinals event.

The Colt Cadets also enjoyed similar retention to the Colts on all levels, with many of their instructors, designers, and members returning for another year. The corps program, Moderne, was also a fan favorite, with many commenting it was the strongest corps they’ve seen from the Colt Cadets in several years. Colt Cadets also adapted a new tour model this year, spending more time "on the road" to give the members a fuller drum corps experience.

The organization as a whole also had many successes throughout the season. Winter saw continued work on the new corps offices, with major progress being made on the last phase of the remodel. Now that summer is done, finishing touches can be added and the project will wrap up this off-season. This spring, the Colts received a Cultural Leadership Partner Operating Support Grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The organization received the maximum allowable grant award of $20,000 per year. Read more about the Cultural Leadership grant here. June and July featured several great events organized by the Alumni Steering Committee that brought together alumni to celebrate the corps 55th anniversary season. These included a social gathering after Summer Premiere and a tailgate before the home show, Music On The March. Vicki MacFarlane, Colts Director, was recognized with two awards for her service and dedication to the Colts and the drum corps activity. In April, she was recognized by the Women’s Leadership Network of Dubuque with a Women Of Achievement Award. During DCI World Championships, she was the recipient of the George Bonfiglio Chairperson’s Award. Also at the DCI World Championships, the Colts-sponsored event Tournament of Drums, held annually in early August in Cedar Rapids, was recognized as Open Class Event Of The Year for the third year in a row. Finally, the Colts inducted eight new individuals to the Colts Hall Of Fame. You can read more about the achievements and contributions of these individuals to the Colts here.

Of course, this season, and this activity, could not have happened without the help, dedication, passion, and love from our many parents and volunteers. A huge THANK YOU to anyone and everyone who helped throughout the season, whether cooking, driving, sewing uniforms, or anything else that helps both drum corps move down the road. The Colts and Colt Cadets appreciate you so much and cannot thank you enough. Similarly, a huge THANK YOU to all of the incredible donors, sponsors, and endorsers who continue to believe in and support the mission of the Colts Youth Organization.

The next few weeks will be a time to relax, reflect, and unpack from this season, but things are already moving into place for 2019. This year’s 55th anniversary season allowed the organization to connect with its alumni and history in new ways, while also setting the stage for the next 55 years of excellence. You can help ensure the Colts legacy is able to continue for another 55 years by making a tax-deductible donation or by signing up to become a Colts Monthly Giver.

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