Music filled the air this weekend as 33 of the nation’s best drum and bugle corps competed in front of a record breaking crowd at the 12th annual Drum Corps Midwest championships held at NIU’s Huskie Stadium.

Corps from nine states and Canada participated in the DCM battle which extended over two nights and all day Saturday. The top 13 winners from the preliminary rounds continued to the Saturday evening finals where they fought for the coveted title of “Best in the Midwest.”

The DCM competition was divided into four divisions with awards being presented to top scorers in drum, brass, percussion, visual and auxiliary (color guard), as well as overall effect.

The Phantom Regiment of Rockford, Ill., stole the show by winning their eighth championship in DCM Division I Corps, as well as taking first place in all five categories. The division I group consists of corps with 90 to 128 performers.

The first place trophy for Division II competition, which includes teams with 60 to 90 performers, was awarded to the Glassmen of Toledo, Ohio and the Division III champion, with fewer than 60 performers, was the Americanos of Fox River Valley, Wis. In addition, Minnesota Brass Incorporated of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., won its ninth championship in 10 years in the Seniors Division, whose performers are over age 22.

DCM judge Rich Nicola said six judges rate the performances in terms of technical considerations and overall effectiveness and arrive at a score from one to 100.

According to Roman Blenski, executive director of DCM, new records were set for most corps participating in the event and the largest audience since the DCM originated 12 years ago.

Blenski said the DCM competition has always been held at NIU because Huskie Stadium offers a good view for the audience and a centralized location for the Midwest championships.

Today’s drum corps is a far cry from the old marching bands. Contemporary drum corps is an exciting spectacle of skilled dancers and musicians performing dazzling Broadway-style routines. Recruited from all over the nation, drum corps performers sacrifice their summer free time in order to completely immerse themselves in three months of traveling competition. Dedicated performers spend hours at hot grueling practices, doing fundraisers to raise money for shows and on long road trips in cramped, equipment-filled buses.

Steve Yoder, percussion instructor for the Emerald Knights of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said, “Drum corps members push themselves to achieve because of their love for performance and competition.”

Yoder said one time his corps was doing a run-through on a field and the sprinkler system turned on. “The kids just kept on practicing as if nothing was happening.”

Leslie Statz, euphonium player for the Blue Stars of Lacrosse, Wis., said, “I’ve spent summers sleeping in churches, riding in old school buses and eating hot dogs six times a week, but the comradery makes it all worth it.”

Bill DeJournett, bugle player for the champion Phantom Regiment, said his corps has been preparing since November, sometimes putting in 48 hours a week in training for their 34 summer shows. “Making the crowd happy and giving my personal best keeps me motivated. The experience and friendships you make are invaluable.”