My musical journey began like many others; in 6th grade when I started to play flute in my middle school band.  While it took awhile for me to find my groove, I fell in love with band very quickly. Growing up, we were not an overly musical family. My dad had played trombone not only in school but also in the Air Force.  We also listened to music all the time, and I took dance lessons off and on through elementary school. I also became far more serious about dance in middle and high school.

I, of course, marched in the Big Red Marching Machine however.  In our school, freshmen rarely marched, particularly if you played an instrument as common as the flute.  I put forth the effort and was moved into Honors/Marching band as a sophomore.  We marched 13 flutes that year.  This turned out to be an amazing thing, as it was the only year that I was able to march under Robert Clark as director.  The next summer, he left Port Huron High School to move on to administration in Rochester.  Under his leadership, I was bit by the band bug.  Like my husband Kevin (later in the article), I also remember watching DCI Blue Water Brass and loving it.  At that time, I did not really watch the Color Guard.  I loved dance, but I was all about MARCHING.  I never thought I’d be able to be in DCI, as I played flute, so it was never on my radar.  I don’t recall our Color Guard being particularly interesting, so I never connected my dance background with the Marching Arts.

After high school, I took a couple of dance classes here and there, and I took one Campus Band class in college, but music took a back burner to life for the next 20 years or so!

Years later, my sons Ian and Alex joined Marching Band at Linden High School. Before that, when they were choosing instruments, I decreed that there would be no squeaky reeds in my house. With their options limited to flute and brass, they both went for brass.  I joined the Boosters and have been involved in a support role that way as well as a chaperone ever since. I recall having played DCI shows for the boys as early as 6th grade, and telling them about Drum Corps that early, also. They do not remember this and give all of the credit for introducing them to DCI to their friends. :P

​In any case, as soon as they started to show interest, Kevin dove right into it, as well. Ian and I took a little longer.  The year that Kevin and Alex went to the DCI Finals in Indy, Ian and I went to Fan Expo in Chicago (much like a Comicon).  That fall, however, of 2023, EVERYTHING changed. Kevin and Alex joined Northern Lights. Drum Corps became a way of life in our household, even if Ian and I were not actually participating. 

By Finals of 2024, Ian and I were hooked, as well. Alex was planning on joining a world-class corps, Kevin was returning to Northern Lights and Ian was joining.  I felt a little left out. I didn’t play an instrument that would work for Drum Corps, and I had never touched a flag in my life, but I did have a fairly strong dance background.  I decided to give Color Guard a try.  It was a wonderful experience to dance again and to perform on Lucas Oil with my husband and one of my sons while the other one was also performing on the same field with Music City out of Nashville.

While I have decided that Color Guard isn’t really for me moving forward, my experience with Northern Light has been wonderful and I am so happy to be part of the family. With my husband and BOTH boys marching together at Northern Lights this year, I am looking forward to helping out in any way that I can to make this an unforgettable experience for all of those who are on the field, which includes volunteering and working on feeding everyone!

​Hello, My name is Alex Harvey. I am a senior at Linden High school and I am going to be studying music composition next semester at Michigan State University.

I would say my marching journey began when my parents would bring me to watch the Spartan Marching Band as a child. Previously, I had begun with piano lessons so I was already developing my musical abilities. The experiences I've had watching the SMB created this sense within me that I would march someday. My formal start to marching band began in 2020 when I joined the Linden Marching Band as a seventh grader. Because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we had to wear masks while marching, which was uncomfortable and a bit awkward start to my marching experience, but it was still good enough to pursue another year, then another year, then another...

During the off season I would always miss marching. Visions of marching would fill up my head as I sat daydreaming. As a result, I began consuming marching media and inevitably I happened upon a drum corps show.

I was hooked.

I watched another, another, then another, and eventually I convinced my dad to see the tour premiere one year in Detroit, which made me so excited I bought a ton of patches and a pair of Phantom Regiment sunglasses that I would wear for years despite them falling apart.

In 2023, my father and I attended the world championships. There we did the whole shebang. Prelims, Semifinals, SoundSport, and Finals. Watching Troopers show that year I decided that I will do drum corps in one way or another. Once the season had ended I almost immediately decided on Northern Lights for my next summer. Northern Lights provided me with the opportunity to save money, make friends, and develop my skills while still being able to get drum corps experience. That first summer of drum corps is one I will never forget. I remember putting on my corps bibbers for that first time and feeling them fit just right, like this was what I'm meant to do. 

However, while my time with Northern Lights was fun I had a higher calling towards world class that next summer. I still attended an audition camp but I ended up touring with Music City the next summer. There I realized what it was like to march on an everyday basis, what it meant to make every rep count to the extreme.

Despite the amazing experience that was touring with Music City, I auditioned for a few other open class corps closer to me in the Midwest area. I was not offered a contract for this summer, so I decided to return home with Northern Lights again. While yes, to an outside observer it may seem like a step in the opposite direction, this is nowhere near true. Northern Lights is a home to me, and I feel I can best foster my talents and abilities here this summer as a leader and veteran. The community and staff at Northern Lights is world class in all details but name. The way they care for you is on par with any other. 
​
Ultimately that brings me to today. Walking on the field in Belding Michigan ready to make this summer the best so far.

​Hi, my name is Ian Harvey.

My journey in music started very young. I also began with piano lessons, where I learned the fundamentals of music. My piano journey continued into middle school, where I decided to stop piano and pursue the trombone, which became my primary instrument through the rest of my K-12 education.

Starting in my freshman year, I joined the Linden marching band where I was forced to use a marching baritone, because like many competitive programs our school did not march trombones. Also, this began the family journey through marching music, as my brother Alex joined me in the marching band as a seventh grader. During my time in high school, I participated in solo and ensemble twice, with my first time being a solo where I scored a 1 at districts, but I opted not to go to states as it interfered with a robotics competition. But my second time in high school was during my senior year, when I went with an ensemble; we received a 1 at districts and a 2 at states, honing my musical craft.

During my time in the marching band, we competed in MCBA competitions and made State Championships all 3 times. My last year was our highest placing show since COVID, where we took 4th place with a score of 78.55. After the 2022 school year ended, I went with a few friends to watch one of the Legends home shows at Lakeland High School. This sparked my interest in DCI and really made me understand what DCI was. The next summer (2023), my brother (Alex) and father (Kevin) went to the DCI Semifinals and Finals, where they met Doug and Misty with Northern Lights on the SoundSport stage, and decided there and then that they were going to march with Northern Lights the following year. I had opted not to march the following year because I would be starting college in July. The unfortunate thing I learned is that the college I was attending has no band program, but it provided the academic program I wanted. After watching my brother and father perform at the Midwest Premiere in Rockford, Michigan, I made up my mind to march with Northern Lights during the 2025 season. I had a blast working with both parents (Kevin and Kim) and multiple friends from my hometown to put on "Sweet Dreams" with Northern Lights--a show about night terrors. During the 2025 season, my brother marched with Music City, which was such a blast to watch him perform, even if it was mostly through FloMarching...

One great thing that came out of my 2025 year was getting to march on Lucas Oil Stadium. Marching on the same field as the Blue Devils, Bluecoats, etc., was breathtaking. It took me back to when we’d walk onto Ford Field during the MCBA state championships. Now, I'm marching another season with Northern Lights to do it all again, this time with my dad and brother, and we will be marching two shows at Lucas Oil this year. #BWTNLA

​Hi, my name is Kevin Harvey, and I'm in my third year with Northern Lights Drum and Bugle Corps.

I first got started in the marching arts with the Big Red Marching Machine in Port Huron. We used to get extra credit if we helped out with the Blue Water Brass DCI event in town, and that's where I got my first taste of drum corps.
 
Watching corps like Pioneer, the Kilties, Glassmen, the Bluecoats, and the Cavaliers on our home field in the mid 1990's was jaw-dropping. I was amazed by the drill and blown away by the power of the brass. Unfortunately, I never had the money, the time, or the confidence to attempt to spend my summers on tour, so I thought I had left that dream behind.  

When I transferred to Michigan State, I had another opportunity to march, however. It was there that I built my confidence, and made the Spartan Marching Band by playing the baritone. The biggest thrill of my life at that point came when I first kick-stepped out of that tunnel,  with 77,000 screaming fans, watching us "Spin the S."

Life happened after college, and my musical journey went dark. My horns went up on shelves, or in storage, and it was twenty-five long years before my Bach Strad was able to sing in public again. 

When my wife Kim and I had kids in the mid 2000's, we knew that we wanted them to grow up around music. As kids, we ensured they listened to Mozart, Verdi, and Dvorak, and started them on piano lessons after we moved to Linden.
 
When they got to junior high and began band classes, they both chose brass--no surprise there. They were also scouts, and got to see their Dad pull out his old trumpet to show them bugle calls. I got into the role of band dad, helping with props and loading the trucks, but was happy watching the boys play, learn, and grow into excellent musicians.
 
Once Alex got to high school, he was playing in wind ensemble as a freshmen, and made a lot of friends with older players in high brass. They started talking about drum corps. Alex was extremely interested in it, and came home talking about those same corps I had been blown away by in my high school days. He caught the bug too, and it quickly spread to his brother and through his family and friends. We took them to see a DCI event in Michigan, (RIP Legends) and then at Ford Field. This was happening, the fire was lit. 

I was on Facebook that spring, and saw that a startup corps needed a mello player. Unfortunately it was late in the season, and the schedule conflicted with Alex's summer camp, but we made contact, and made a point to see Northern Lights in Indy.
 
We were drawn like moths to a flame. They were doing everything right: all ages, all skill levels, cost efficient, asking us to show up with effort and grow with them. Alex said that he wanted to perform, and Kim and I were ready to support him. Then he asked why I couldn't do it, too. I couldn't give him an excuse. I asked if he wanted to play with his old man, and he was... actually excited about it!
 
So my horn came off the shelf. I struggled mightily to get my chops and body in shape that first season back, but I was able to find it again and I even got to play the first notes of the 2024 DCI competition season with a solo. As we go into our third season now,  I have gotten to march with both sons and my wife, and found an amazing family in Northern Lights. This corps has welcomed me, my family, and my kid's friends. Along the way, I have met the most amazing people, with such talent, drive, and friendship that has pulled me back into the music world. I have met and learned from DCI world champions, acclaimed directors, and played music and drill written by superstars. I have taken the field again, at Lucas Oil, and done it with my family of blood and of corps. I couldn't be more thankful for this opportunity. 

Hello, my name is Ron.

After many years spent in front of audiences within the performing arts, I now stand before you as a “Newbie”-- a badge that I proudly wear in this my 1st season with the Northern Lights All-Age Drum Corps.

How it All Started

The path to this moment began as a member of the inaugural marching band at Grand Valley State University under Dr. William Root. Since then I have been privileged to be part of many groups such as the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, Calvin Alumni Orchestra, Opera Grand Rapids, West Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan, Hark-Up, West Michigan Opera, Grand River Big Band, Shadblow Theater and others.

Over the years one of the high points my wife Vicky and I enjoyed was watching when DCI Finals used to be broadcast on PBS each year. This progressed to traveling to various competition sites in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and ultimately the Finals in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, in recent years this was not possible due to working out of town on an extended basis.

Fast forward to 2025 and being able to retire.

To get back to something we liked to do together, Vicky and I decided to go to the Allendale show at GVSU this last summer. Had heard a bit about “Northern Lights” and stopped by the booth to find out more. Was met with my 1st “Wow” impression that evening with feeling the sense of community given off by the “Lights” team sitting at the tent

Back in the stands, we settled in for the competition and were then rolled over by the 2nd “WOW” of the night when the “Wall of Sound” enveloped us in the “Sweet Dreams” of 2025.

Had to be part of this group today, rather than saying “someday, I might”.


Audition Season

The Prep - Downloaded the Brass book at the start of the audition season back in October and was not sure that I could even get through the material for the audition. The warm-ups alone were daunting in that my standard warm-up was 3-5 minutes (max) followed by the Gig I was on that day.

I then started daily practice and memorization at the start of November, coupled with an “Accountability” white board for both the body work (balance, movement, breathing) and playing (Long tones, Flex, Flow studies + audition pieces). Even started using weights on my arms and legs to condition the muscle memory that would be needed for the upcoming camps and the summer season.

Open House Camp – The nerves were running high as we gathered at Belding HS for the start of the audition process. Lots of talent seen everywhere with both the new and experienced applicants. Also saw that I was one of the oldest attendees sitting there in the auditorium.

Yet even while standing at the registration table and mingling with the vets and staff that I had met at GVSU, I had immediately felt welcomed right from the start!

All this simply reconfirmed the decision that this was a team to be part of.

Audition Camp – If the personal stress level was high at the Open House, it was nothing compared to the actual Audition camp #1 in December.

The expectation and criteria were well laid out in the Brass book download and it was up to us to do the work at home to prepare.

I had always been picked up for various groups based upon performances seen/heard and had never needed to officially audition before, so although feeling pretty comfortable with the prep level achieved prior to Camp #1, the process of actually presenting during the 1:1 portion was definitely a unique experience.

Frankly – botched the Audition pieces.

The experience created a time of self reflection on the ride home, hoping that participation in the next camp (#2) would be allowed to continue. Later that night, my wife asked “what had happened”, especially since she knew the prep that had occurred, coupled with the experience of many solo/lead bits over the past years.

In review of the day, only then realized that the issue was not the audition process, but instead was one of my own making. Namely, rather than going into the 1:1 with the opportunity to present “Music” for the staff, had instead tried to play perfection into the “notes”. When that happens, we choke off our creative and performance capabilities. A lesson well learned.

With all that said, the staff and team were very kind in their approach and feedback.

Although, the 1:1 was not as successful as needed to be, it soon became obvious that the staff was very true to their word in that a contract to join the team was not based solely on the 1:1, as is the case in many situations. Rather instead, it is based upon the total package of actions / results seen throughout all the audition camps, and up through the call-backs on Jan 3rd of this year.

The Result = I'm now truly blessed and privileged to be here today, as a proud “Newbie” member of the “Lights” team.

Where do I even begin? When I auditioned for the inaugural season of Northern Lights in 2023, I was just hoping that they would like me enough to give me the chance to live out a passion of mine that I thought I would never be able to pursue. Not only did they grant me that opportunity once, but they continued to help me realize that I was valued as a member of the corps for the seasons that followed.

I didn't grow up around much more than competitive High school band. So when I began to hear about drum corps, and realize exactly what it was, I became instantly hooked. I wished so hard that I could have the opportunity to audition for a world or open class corps, but the cost was too high for a young student just starting college, and who already dealt with financial issues. By the time that I might've been able to try, COVID hit and I passed my age out during that lost season.

I never would've guessed that by joining this little group that was just starting out, that I could end up actually performing on the biggest stage in the marching arts so quickly.

Our first season in All-Age Class has taught me so much about Drum Corps, about life, about responsibility, and most importantly about myself. I have felt myself become a more confident individual because of Northern Lights. And I absolutely cannot wait to see what this program has in store for years to come. We are already making waves, and I can bet that those who have been counting us out will be regretting that choice very soon.

As we say, "Hearts on Fire, Minds on Ice"!

With that, I bid "Sweet Dreams" to 2025 and enter 2026 hoping to build an even stronger sense of purpose.

Brittany Darling: 2023-2025 Conductor

​In the drum corps world today one of the most exciting—and sometimes controversial—parts of the off-season is the reveal of new uniforms. Uniforms are more than just clothing; they are symbols of identity, performance tools, and in many ways, the visual heartbeat of our show. In recent years, there has been a dramatic shift in how the activity thinks about corps uniforms. Some groups even go as far as to directly call them "costumes". No longer the heavy wool garments built to last decades, today’s uniforms are lightweight, athletic, and often designed for a single season. Over the past decade, the drum corps uniform has undergone a transformation that has taken time for the seasoned drum corps fan's pallet to catch up with, yet there are compelling reasons behind this evolution.

First and foremost, the lighter materials used in modern uniforms offer enormous benefits in terms of performer comfort and safety. Our members perform in the blazing summer sun, pushing their physical limits to extreme heights. Older, heavier uniforms were not built for that kind of strain, particularly as our climate continues to get hotter. Today’s performance wear uses moisture-wicking fabrics, mesh paneling, and athletic cuts that promote airflow and reduce overheating. This has a real impact on endurance and health—and ultimately improves the quality of performance on the field.

Another major advantage of seasonal uniform design is the creative flexibility it allows us. Every year, our show tells a new story, often with a completely unique aesthetic. Being able to tailor the visual design to the theme—from color palette to silhouette—elevates the storytelling potential of the entire production.

That said, at Northern Lights we feel that there is a balance which can be struck between old and new. We’re not interested in reinventing our look each year to the point of losing who we are, being a season-to-season corps without ever building an image. As a corps, we take immense pride in our heritage and the fact that we got to build this corps from grassroots with traditions that resonated with our community in the moment! This idea was forefront of mind when coming up with a uniform pattern where the design may change from year to year, but we make sure to incorporate signature elements of our logo, color scheme, or historic design motifs for a lifelong continuity. Every member who takes the field with the corps will have worn our aurora "swoosh" on their chest, which is also designed to look like a classic sash.

When a uniform becomes an extension of the set and concept, it blurs the line between costume and corps identity, enhancing the overall visual cohesion of the program as well as a "style" from year to year.

Navigating this balance between innovation and tradition is part of the art and challenge of designing a drum corps uniforms today. We want to honor the past without being bound by it. Our alumni should see a piece of themselves on the field, even as we move in bold new directions. That kind of continuity is essential—not just for branding, but for fostering a sense of legacy and pride among our members and fans alike.

At the end of the day, uniforms are not just about looking good—they’re about feeling empowered, staying safe, and telling a story. As the Corps Director, my job is to make sure that every element of our design supports those goals. And as we head into another competitive season, I’m proud of how our uniform continues to evolve—lighter, smarter, more expressive—while still keeping the spirit of our corps close to heart as we continue to write the next chapter of our young history.

We are so thankful for partnerships with Harmonics Uniforms by Adam Cummins and Orefice LTD to bring this idea to life.

Take a look at some of the attached images on this post to see some of the year-to-year design elements in action.

What an incredible end to our sophomore season in DCI. I am so incredibly proud of the hard work this years' corps put in, and it was rewarded handsomely in applause and adjudication. To anyone who would look down on SoundSport Class, I challenge you to go watch the festival performance recasts on Flo Marching and tell me what you think after seeing that. There's nothing like an energetic crowd to help you leave it all on the field (or floor). We also raised the bar for what NLDBC can achieve in the score category by over two points, while maintaining our standing as one of SoundSport's fastest growing, highest achieving teams. While we look forward to our All-Age Associate season in 2025, we think back fondly on our two years competing at the Music and Food Festival. I mean, who knows, perhaps a Northern Lights ensemble will return one day alongside the "A-Corps"? ;)

But, I get ahead of myself. The admin team and I are focused squarely on the future imminently ahead of us. Our annual planning session and Board of Directors meeting rapidly approaches on Sunday, September 1st. We will begin with the public portion of the meeting at 3pm in the Newaygo High School band room with our 2024 season wrap up and board elections, before our closed door 2025 season planning session. We invite anyone who might be interested to see the inner workings of our administration to come visit us and watch the proceedings.

If you follow the corps on social media, you might be wondering what the heck we've got going on with the strange text and dark cover/profile photos. You'll just have to keep checking back to see when those change for a special 2025 announcement.

If you haven't heard it from somewhere else, we have a lot planned for our first season in All-Age Class, including more Tour Event performances on the 2025 summer tour, a slightly more robust rehearsal schedule, some additional non-field-show performances, and of course the ever-expanding Northern Lights brand--all of it in the name of bringing all-age corps to the state of Michigan, and always keeping our member-first mission at the forefront of what we do.

Hopefully I get a chance to meet you at an open house or audition this fall. 

#BWTNLA
Doug Olmstead
​Corps Director/Vice President

​Hi!

AJ, your Volunteer Coordinator / Secretary of the Board here (I also march tuba this year)! March camp already feels like so long ago…and April so far has been flying by! One more camp to go this month, on the 20th! Who’s HYPE?

I would like to shout out to the selected volunteers who played Easter Brass for the United Methodist Church of the Dunes on….well, Easter of course. Community involvement in music is a big reason I love drum corps, and that love shined through on Easter service with everyone making it such a special day (brass, bells, singers, and organ, oh my!!!…and I got to play timpani!) Well done Mat, Mike, Rich, Kirby, Sage, Ryan, Kassandra, Mitchell, Brooklyn, and Doug!!

I also would like to congratulate all ‘Lights members who taught or participated, AND got medals, at the MCGC Championships (I’m proud of you but also missed you)!

One piece of feedback the members gave us at the conclusion of last season was that they didn’t feel like they had enough time with the corps. Initially this was by design, as 1) we thought the corps was just going to be a handful of music friends, and 2) we wanted to keep travel costs low as it became clear that there was more interest among the community. (This was a pleasant surprise!)

However, as stated earlier, this reduced schedule left our members hungry for more drum corps. And who could blame them! (That’s why we do this, isn’t it?)

So when designing this seasons schedule, we set out to have harmony between low travel costs and time with the corps. We helped achieve that with more rehearsals and performances, yes, but also with a special weekend we dubbed, “Spring Training”. And, despite the Michigan temperature FUN (30 degrees and frost in the morning, 50 degrees and hot and sunny by mid day), the ‘Lights found themselves outside once more! 

Now usually, the ‘Lights are “Saturdays are for The Corps”….but, with “Spring Training”, we wanted to give that “move-ins” feel. We rehearsed from Friday through Sunday, and when I say rehearsed, I mean rehearsed!

Friday was a short day, but it was a powerhouse - 4 hours of basics block and fundamentals! My calves and arms probably wished I had a different hobby (I do - DnD and other community music, but still…), and the corps would probably agree. Regardless, from veteran to rookie, the soreness gave way to feelings of pride as we made a ton of progress, especially for being away from marching for a couple months. By the end of rehearsal we were juuuuust about ready to do a box drill….

And the following Saturday was the day we did it! With no crashes! After our morning basics block, we went to lunch, and from there had sectionals. We refreshed Part 1 and worked with Part 2 of our show in preparation for ensemble on Sunday. Other than that it was a pretty boring dayOHWAITASECOND!!! We were honored to have Dr. John Martin, Director of the Grand Valley State University Laker Marching Band fame there to give us some pointers (as performers, and as staff). His ear helped us fine-tune several segments of Part 1 and Part 2, and we hope to see him again in the future (seriously, you’re awesome Jmar)!

Sunday was the culmination of our hard work - some sectional time to solidify what we learned Saturday, and then ensemble to add all the concepts together. After a hype two full runs of Part 1, we ended Spring Training with bonding activities in the gym.

With that, the seven rehearsals, blink-of-an-eye season structure was gone, now replaced with a corps that is closer than ever - more time with drum corps, more time with friends, more time together as THE Northern Lights Drum and Bugle Corps!

When we started the project that was Northern Lights Drum & Bugle Corps, our founders had a threefold mission; to prepare our students for a summer marching in a touring junior corps, to give an amazing experience to our current members, and to be a place to return home for DCI vets who still have the want to march. Northern Lights exists to help serve touring DCI World and Open Class corps by providing a marching arts season that is no less competitive, but IS less intensive, more generally affordable, and act as an entry point for those who without the resources of travel, time, or experience in the marching arts, may not have had exposure to Drum Corps International.

While our organization is steadfastly focused on the present, and always planning for the future, it's nonetheless exciting and humbling to see our (admittedly short) past leaving an impression on performers who come through our program. Our founder's design saw the Northern Lights program as a "place to get your DCI career started, and to return home to when you've aged out". 

With all of this in mind, we as admin staff are feeling so proud of the stories we're hearing from the 2024 DCI audition season. At the time of this writing, we confirmed two of the members on our inaugural baritone line in the '23 season, Logan Starnes and Ryan Kuhnert, have accepted contracts with touring corps (The Battalion in Open Class, and Madison Scouts in World Class, respectively). From the Northern Lights family, we want to offer our sincerest congratulations to Logan and Ryan for sticking it through the DCI audition process and wish them all the best on tour this summer! Take the memories made and lessons learned from your season with the 'Lights on tour with you and just know you've got a family here in Michigan cheering you both on through the good times and the difficult ones!

It's humbling seeing a plan come together, and as the corps continues to grow, we hope our impact continues to reach an ever-wider pool of young musicians looking for that little bit of experience before committing to a summer tour, while entertaining an expanding DCI audience. And to our young members-- let Logan and Ryan's stories show that you can achieve your dream with effort and perseverance. 

-- Doug Olmstead, NDLBC Operations Director

For those of you who have followed our journey from the beginning, you know that Northern Lights was started as something of a selfish endeavor. For my husband and our two oldest children, the nearest drum corps opportunity was 6 hours away... one way... every weekend.... it was, to put it mildly, a lot for our family - but we did it because the passion we have for the activity demanded it. 

With one successful season in the books, husband and kids were ramped up to continue. Mom, not so much... below is an actual picture of me after finals --- 

Don't get me wrong - the corps and the season was incredible - but the logistics of hauling our family 12 hours round trip every single Friday through Sunday from November-August was just not sustainable. So, we started looking at local options for an all-age opportunity in the area and it wasn't that we just came up short - there were none. But the desire and the passion for the activity was there, so we began to rally our musician friends to put a small SoundSport ensemble together. We sealed the deal with promises of a fun Summer of making music together, a friends trip to Indy to perform at SoundSport and then sneak away to watch DCI Finals. It would be small, but it would be something - and mom would get to keep her sanity intact. 

But something unexpected happened. Our friends talked to their friends, who talked to their friends, who told THEIR friends, and the next thing we knew - we had nearly 50 members contracted for the inaugural season of Northern Lights Drum & Bugle Corps. And these weren't just people we knew showing up to do band with us - it was strangers. People just like us looking for an accessible drum corps opportunity that sadly did not exist in Michigan before now.  With that came the need to fund the corps - and still hit our mission of removing barriers whether they be logistical, social, or financial. Northern Lights became a grass roots operation seeking to provide the maximum drum corps experience at a minimum cost. Because of our support system and generous donor/sponsorship partners we were able to provide a summer of Drum Corps at a cost of $150 per member in tuition. When I tell you that's unheard of, I'm not just patting ourselves on the back, but it really is *unheard of*. Although we were able to offer such a minimal tuition last year, the truth of the matter is that for some - even that amount presented a financial burden. We did our best to work with those who needed help and ensured that no one was turned away. If you wanted to march, and you were willing to put in the hard work and dedication to the corps, the corps was going to put that work right back into your experience. 

Fast forward and even those joining us new knows what came next - an incredible season of growth, learning opportunities, hard work, and a GOLD rating at SoundSport Finals (way to go 'Lights!) and now we are looking at a significant increase in membership for next year. Transparently, I am both ecstatic and terrified, because now is when the real work (and fun) begins - and our mission doesn't stop. As our membership numbers rise, so will the cost of running our corps, and so will the need for financial support to cover the cost of tuition for our members that need it most. While I wish I was independently wealthy and had the ability to fund this all on my own the truth is that I cannot - and I need your help​. 

We have developed the Northern Lights Scholarship Fund that aims to break down financial barriers, ensuring that passionate individuals from all walks of life can participate in the enriching and life-changing drum corps experience. With your support and contributions to the scholarship fund, we can provide our members with the resources they need to be a part of our vibrant and inclusive community.

If anyone reading this has had the opportunity to meet our members, see the dedication and passion they have for this activity and our corps, and see the pure exhilarated joy on their faces when they received standing ovations from every crowd they performed for - you would see why this initiative is so important. Why I care so much. They deserve the opportunity to have this experience with us - and a financial need should be the LAST thing keeping them from it. 

So, I turn to you and ask for you to join us in our commitment to making the world of drum corps accessible to all. Your donation will directly impact the lives of passionate young musicians and guard members, empowering them to pursue their musical aspirations and create lasting memories through the universal language of music.

To learn more about how you can help make the drum corps dream a reality for our members, or to make YOUR drum corps dream a reality, click here. 

Thank you for your continued support - I really mean it. Every day I am moved and humbled by the outpouring of love and support from our community for Northern Lights. Wherever we are, you are. 

Be Where The Northern Lights Are,  
Misty
#NLDBC Director