Marching on

It’s going to be show full of the slickest sights and sounds.

On Thursday, July 2, the Santa Clara Vanguard drum corps will rehearse on Clarke’s practice field, football field and soccer field. The practice is to prepare for their performance in Waukee for the Celebration in Brass the same day.

“The nice part about having it here is the kids, anybody in the community, can come and watch them rehearse for free,” said Brad Lampe, Clarke Community High School’s band director.

Santa Clara Vanguard, which is part of Drum Corps International, has a show in the Kansas City area Wednesday, July 1. Then, the drum corps will travel to Osceola and stay overnight.

In Osceola

Lampe said he expects the practice to happen around late morning and afternoon July 2. The Celebration in Brass is scheduled to begin 7 p.m. July 2 at Waukee High School’s stadium.

“We’re kind of lucky to get them here,” Lampe said. “In fact, it’ll either be them or the Cavaliers from Rosemont, (Ill.), that will probably win at this thing in Waukee. They’re top notch.”

During practices, Lampe said he expects the Santa Clara Vanguard’s color guard, brass line and drum line to practice in their own fields, and then they will come together for a big group rehearsal in the afternoon.

“The afternoon is probably when you get to see most of them all together doing some things, but they’ll be here all day,” he said.

The Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps was formed in 1967 in Santa Clara, Calif. They are a six-time world champion in Drum Corps International.

“They’ve been in the top 10 every year for as long as I can remember, and usually they’re in the top five, if not the top 10,” Lampe said.

Check it out

Lampe said it’s beneficial for the people in the Osceola area to see Santa Clara Vanguard because it’s a free show, but it’s even more important for Clarke students.

“For my band kids, they can come and see the work ethic that’s involved,” he said. “They can come and see the detail and the amount of sweat that’s put in to what makes them so good. They work hard here in our band, but it’s a whole different league for this, and I’d like them to see that league and witness how much time and effort it takes to be as good as they are.”