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Support 728 Cadets Marching Arts 

River Valley Percussion Theater, 2022-2023 - Pop!

River Valley Sound 2022-2023 - Captive Reality

River Valley Winter Guard, High School, 2022-2023 - A Round

River Valley Winter Guard, Junior 2022-2023 - Golden

The 728 Cadets Winter Marching Arts program had a very successful 2023 Season. The River Valley Percussion Theater drumline took 11th place at WGI finals and the River Valley Sound Winds group too 8th place at WGI finals. WGI finals is a world competition held in Dayton Ohio every year. The River Valley Winter Guard High School group took 1st place at the WGI Regionals in Indianapolis, IN. 

The 728 Cadets performed in parades and festivals throughout Minnesota in the summer of 2023.  They created a "field shows in the streets."  They competed against other groups during the parades and were judged by an organization called Tri-State Judging.  The competitive season is short but intense, usually wrapping up within six weeks of the first parade. 

Annual competitions like the Lake Waconia Band Festival and Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival (known on the circuit as Owattonia), and the Vikingland Band Festival in Alexandria, MN are staple representations of the summer playoffs and the state tournament.  

The 728 Cadets organization needs to raise funds each season to offset expenses in order to keep the participation costs affordable for students. We are excited to report our enrollment is up for this River Valley (winter) season, including younger students who will count on the strength of the organization for years to come.

Please share your excitement for the arts with us!  The 728 Cadets, including students, board members, family,  and friends, can't wait to see what these amazing performers put together this year! 

The 728 Cadets Marching Arts organization provides music and performance education to middle school and high school students in the Elk River Area School District, including Elk River,  Otsego, Rogers, and Zimmerman schools. The 728 Cadets are not funded by ISD 728, but a stand-alone, 501(c)(3) organization. In addition to music and performance education, marching arts training promotes an attitude of pride, spirit, teamwork and personal growth. We proud to work in partnership with our school district!

The 728 Cadets organization includes a summer marching band under the name 728 Cadets, plus three winter ensembles: River Valley Percussion Theatre, River Valley Winter Guard, and River Valley Sound.

For over a decade now, as many as 103 students in any given season have benefited from programming provided by the 728 Cadets organization. Music and performance education is offered for wind and percussion instruments, and dance and performance education for color guard. After several months of vigorous rehearsal, students will compete against other scholastic groups throughout the state of MN, and across the country, when they travel to national competitions or larger marching venues. The River Valley winter ensembles have developed accomplished musicians in the MN scholastic arena, earning many first place awards over the course of their existence; and the 728 Cadets Marching band has earned numerous awards throughout the state and across the country including Grand Champion awards at major band festivals.

We appreciate your support to continue providing the best marching arts and music education possible for our students!

Quotes from our 2023 seniors:

“This group has been a great experience, and it’s amazing to be a part of a group that pushes you to do your best.”

“Being in marching band has exposed me to a group of really dedicated, talented, and amazing people. Practices and performances can be challenging but are also very rewarding. I have learned a level of dedication that I didn’t even realize I was capable of - which has pushed me to be better.”

"Joining Cadets was one of the most profound, life-altering choices I think I have ever made in my life. It has brought me a plethora of unique opportunities and experiences, teaching me how to be a better musician and human being."

"Those 3 years of me marching, it has taught me so much about music and myself and has provided me with valuable memories that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life."

"This group has helped me to grow in many ways and its helped me through some really difficult times in my life as well. Our directors have helped me to learn bass guitar and grow in my knowledge and become a better violinist. This group has helped me become the person I am today."

"I have had an amazing time with the best people and I truly don’t think I would be the same person without this experience."

More information and videos can be found at

http://728cadets.org