NIU to host high school marching band show Saturday

DeKALB – The sounds of music and the pageantry of competitive school marching bands will return to DeKalb on Saturday.

The Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps and the Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band will co-host the Red & Black Fall Classic, a competition of 12 high school bands from northern Illinois, at Huskie Stadium.

“This event, similar to the summer Drum and Bugle Corps show, is the ultimate outdoor entertainment,” Michael Embrey, local music producer, said in a news release. “The best way to describe this event is that the audience will see a Broadway on grass type production.”

Gates open at 4 p.m. and the event will begin at 5 p.m. with the National Anthem, followed by the band performances. The show will conclude with the NIU Huskie Marching Band playing at 8:55 p.m.

Bands from the following high schools will compete: Rochelle Township, Waukegan, Rockford, McHenry, Marengo Community, Kaneland, Yorkville, Naperville Central, Oswego, DeKalb, Evanston Township and John Hersey.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. Children age 5 and younger get in free. All seats are general admission. Tickets are available only at the stadium on the day of the event.

Masks are required for entry into Huskie Stadium and no large bags or purses are allowed.

Huskie Stadium is located at 200 Stadium Drive in DeKalb.