How It Began
 The U.S. Open
Drum and Bugle Corps Competition was started in Marion in the
late 1960s as a collaboration of Marion area businesses, civic
groups, and Marion Cadet members and alumni as a way to give
the activity a national showcase, with large prize monies
awarded. The event was an immediate success, as corps made
certain Marion was on their summer schedule.
After over 35 years as a part
of Marion history, the U.S. Open is now facing change. Changes
in the activity, the controlling influence of DCI (Drum Corps
International) and a change from these events being staged as
competitions for prize money vs. competitions for appearance
fees have all contributed to the change. An event that lasted
3 full days with over 40 corps competing has since been
reduced to one evening, with about a half dozen corps
appearing, and now to where the event has been put on hiatus.
A New Beginning
The U.S. Open was
granted a license to operate a community radio station at
97.5FM. This station will serve the community, while serving
as an awareness and fundraising tool for the US Open. Along
with the radio project, the U.S. Open has widened its mission
to promote the musical arts in the Marion Area.
The short term goals of the
U.S. Open Commission are to fund the radio station, retire old
debts, and fund local scholarships and musical arts programs.
After the Commission is once again on sound financial footing,
the Commission can then look ahead to re-establishing a
musical competition and show, that may include Drum and Bugle
Corps and/or high school bands. |
