What’s Coming Up?
This season is flying by and the groups are really going to be moving and shaking soon with competition season starting in just a few weeks. If you haven’t had the chance to review the calendars to see what is coming up, here are the links to see what each group has scheduled.
River Valley Percussion Theatre
River Valley Winter Guard
Also, the tentative summer 728 Cadets schedule is live as well. Parades are starting to be added for families to review for summer family planning. Please keep in mind that these items are still tentative until later this spring when the schedule is firmed up.
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Uniform Fees and RVPT Shoes
Uniforms will be arriving soon!!
If you still need to submit your uniform fee and/or if you will be purchasing RVPT shoes, you can do so at https://square.link/u/vCRjesgD.
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Merchandise - Show Shirts
An additional opportunity to purchase a show shirt is available at https://rvfall25.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Deadline to purchase for this store is January 15th!
Each season, there is an “official” show shirt that represents the themes of each of the groups. These shirts, as well as several other logo’d items, are available for purchase.
Reminder - show shirts are not provided as part of your registration fees!
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River Valley Home Show; Save the Dates!
The 728 Cadets Winter Arts Programs will be hosting two Home Shows this year!
-----> Winterguard - NorthStar Circuit - March 14 at Rogers High School, 5:00pm
____> Sounds and Percussion - MPA - March 21 at Elk River High School, 3:30pm
The home show requires a lot of volunteers, including but not limited to, ticket taking, concessions, warm up room assistants, parking lot attendants etc. We really depend on every family to volunteer at the home shows. Not only does the home show showcase our students and community, but it is one of our largest fundraisers for the three groups.
If you volunteer at a home show, you will receive free admission into the show and we will ensure that you are able to see your student perform. We’ll share specific volunteer opportunities to sign up for soon!
River Valley Home Show Programs
Shout-Outs: At each Home Show, a program featuring RVS, RVPT and RVWG will be available. As part of the program, our seniors will be featured and families have the opportunity to shout out to their students!
Complete the Shout Out Form to submit your shout out before March 1st!
Sponsorships: As a fundraising effort, we additionally offer ad space for local businesses in the Home Show program!!
We encourage you to share this opportunity and the Sponsorship Flyer with any (every) local business to encourage them to purchase a sponsorship! You can view a copy of the MPA Home Show program from 2025.
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Upcoming Competitions, What to Expect
An itinerary will be posted in the Band App a few days before the competitions. You can view the full schedule on the North Star Circuit events page (RVWG) and the MPA (Minnesota Percussion Association) event page (RVS and RVPT). Itineraries prior to the events will include all the details of the competition, including departure time, warm-up details, competition times, etc. Students will travel to competitions on buses. Though the specifics are not known very far in advance, a good rule of thumb is to block off the whole day for the event. All students are expected to ride the bus both to and home from the competition unless written permission from a parent is received by the Director. If other arrangements are necessary, they must be made with the Directors ahead of time. Parents, family and friends are encouraged to attend any or all of the competitions.
- The competitions are a fundraiser for the sponsoring band. They will charge an admission fee.
- Competitions will have concession stands and possibly other items for purchase.
- Be positive and polite. Always be positive about other bands, schools and performances. You never know who is sitting around you.
- Cheer enthusiastically when your group performs. They’ve worked hard to put on the show - let them know you appreciate their hard work!
- Parent help is always needed the day of competitions! If you can volunteer, the groups can always use the help.
- Invest in a bleacher seat or blanket to sit on. You’ll be glad you did the next morning.
- Practice patience. On competition days, there is a lot of waiting and then a rush to get things done.
All three groups participate in WGI (Winter Guard International) which is a worldwide organization that serves as the governing body for the indoor color guard, percussion, and winds activities. The three groups participate in at least one WGI event each year.
MPA (Minnesota Percussion Association) is the local governing body for percussion and winds. Groups from all over the midwest come to compete. The majority of the competitions we compete in are MPA hosted and there is a large MPA finals competition at the end of the year.
NSC (North Star Circuit) is the local governing body for the winter guard. Groups from all over the midwest come to compete and their finals will be held April 4th.
Each of these organizations have rules to participate and are judged. There are multiple classes, such as Scholastic A or Independent. Most of the groups consist of middle school to high schoolers, but there are a few groups that have college students and adults. Directors meet with the judges after each show to receive feedback, which the Directors bring back to the students to make modifications to the program. It is very fun to see how much the show changes and improves from the first show to the last.
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Volunteers needed to move trailers
We are looking to increase our pool of people available for moving equipment trailers for our performing groups.
Connect with your student’s Director to let them know you’d like to get involved!
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Fundraising Opportunities
Along with the fundraising opportunities outlined on the 728Cadets.org website you can help support the Winter Arts through the recently shared Kettle River Pizza fundraiser!
🍕 Kettle River Pizzas: Perfect for the Super Bowl!
Order forms were handed out at practice that included a list of available pizza varieties.
A downloadable form is available along with the pizza varieties descriptions.
Order Forms and Money Due:
RVS: Sunday, January 18th at practice.
RVPT & RVWG: Tuesday, January 20th at practice.
Pickup Date: Pizzas will be available for pickup on February 3rd (Details to come!)
All funds raised go directly toward supporting our students' excellence. Let’s make this a great fundraiser for the Cadets!
Save the Dates:
🍔 Jan 26: Dine-In Night at Maynards, Rogers.
🍻 Feb 19: Pours for a Cause at Lupulin Brewing.
Every dollar raised helps our students strive for excellence. Thank you for making this program possible!