Story and photos by Monty Siekerman
The national and international award-winning Cadets drum and bugle corps wrapped up their 17 days of rehearsal at ONU with a superb show at Dial-Roberson Stadium on Monday evening before a crowd estimated at nearly 500 people.

LOTS OF PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF STORY

The 150-member corps received two standing ovations, one at the conclusion of their 11 and a half minute performance and one at the end of their four encores.
'Awakening" is the theme of this year's show.

Some of the flag and rifle corps were dressed as statues who came to life as humans, then returned to the statue-state. All the while, the band members played a variety of songs and moved in exciting and coordinated fashion.
The program was telecast live throughout the world on the DCI.org website. The Cadets full schedule is also online at DCI.org.

On Tuesday, the young musicians begin their two-month show from coast to coast, travelling 15,000 miles to entertain numerous crowds.

Their first stop is Indianapolis where the best six corps of 2015 were invited back to begin their season.

Indianapolis will host the final show to determine the international champion at the end of the season.

Severe thunderstorms were forecast Monday for much of the area just prior to the performance, but the bad weather went elsewhere, the evening turning pleasant with moderate temperatures.

This was a far cry from last year when the West Campus was flooded and rain began to fall at the end of the show.

The Cadets were here for all their rehearsals last year. This year, they rehearsed in Johnstown, Pa., for two weeks before coming to Ada for two and a half weeks.

Will they return in 2017? "We hope so, " said a University official. Cadet leaders were complimentary of their stay, facilities, and the welcome they received while in Ada/ONU.