728 Cadets Corp

Support 728 Cadets Marching Arts 

728 Cadets Marching Band, River Valley Percussion Theatre, River Valley Winter Guard & River Valley Sound!

The 728 Cadets performed in parades and festivals throughout Minnesota in the summer of 2022.  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.  

Additionally, the Cadets enjoyed several "for fun" parade performances and community stand-still performances in their home towns, at the Minnesota Twins Game, and at the St. Paul Saints game! 

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 2020 seniors:

"Throughout the years I have strengthened many skills through the 728 Cadets, such as communication, punctuality, and leadership."

"I have made so many friends that love drumming as much as I do, I'm really glad I got to know everyone."

"I have learned so much here with the 728 Cadets. I will take all of it with me into my future, in college and beyond."

"This organization has taught me to work hard and be dedicated while having fun with a bunch of your closest friends."

“The Cadets has been the most important part of my life so far and I will miss it so much once I go off to college.”

“Marching Band means a lot to me and I'm thankful I joined the Cadets.”

“I've met so many amazing people through Marching Band and have honestly had a life changing experience in this group."

“At first I was scared of the commitment that I'd have to make, but after that first rehearsal I knew that this was where I needed to be.”

“Music will always be a part of my life and I'll remember my time with The Cadets and RVPT as the most entertaining and exciting part of high school.”

"To all of the 728 Cadets and River Valley Percussion Theatre, thank you for giving me a second home."

More information and videos can be found at

http://728cadets.org