Drum & Bugle Corps plays La Conner again

The beat goes on – and will for the next couple weeks.

That’s because the Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, a world class competitive junior musical group, has returned to La Conner to prep for its upcoming national tour this summer.

Comprised of top youth musicians ages 14-21, the Cascades is practicing here daily before going out on the road for an 8,000 mile swing that ends with an appearance at the World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in August.

The Cascades wrap up their La Conner visit with a free community performance July 2 at Whittaker Field, as was the case last year.

The group enjoyed its time here so much in 2018 that it opted to make a repeat stop, says Seattle Cascades Executive Director Tommy Williams.

“We love it here,” Williams told the Weekly News. “The community is very supportive of us and when we had the chance to come back it was pretty much a no-brainer.”

The musicians and Seattle Cascades staff will stay in La Conner Elementary classrooms and the school’s gymnasium while here.

“No hotels for us,” quipped Williams. “That’s part of the life of a traveling musical troupe.”

The Cascades’ food and equipment trucks began rolling in last weekend, mere hours after La Conner Schools dismissed for summer vacation.

La Conner Superintendent Dr. Whitney Meissner is among those glad the Cascades are back.

“We’re thrilled to have them again,” Meissner said. “This is a very talented group and once more they’ll be providing us a free performance. So we’re quite thrilled.”

It’s good news as well for La Conner businesses. While the Cascades are scheduled to practice from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Williams and his staff allot time for them to eat and shop in town and otherwise enjoy the La Conner experience.

“We definitely try to block time in their day for that,” said Williams, who is in his first year directing the Cascades after having previously served them as a consultant.

Williams spent much of his more than 30-year career in Texas, consulting for marching bands in a state where high school and college football halftime shows are big-time productions.

His association with the Cascades came soon after his wife secured a librarian’s position in Wenatchee. As a consultant, he enjoyed his regular commutes back and forth across Stevens Pass.

This summer’s commute will be much longer, however. It will take Williams and the Cascades first to Renton for what’s billed as their “home show,” and then through the Intermountain West to Texas and on to the East Coast before winding their way into Indiana.

La Conner residents – even some residing beyond town limits – should be able to hear the Cascades as they progress through their various practice sessions. Williams said the corps divides into stations, where they begin putting together the different elements of their program.

“It’s definitely a process,” he said.

One that folks in La Conner are welcome to witness.

“Ours are open rehearsals,” he said, “so people are more than welcome to bring their lawn chairs and come over and watch us.”

If last year is any indication it should be quite a sight, indeed.