Northern Lights Drum and Bugle Corps
 | |
| Location | Muskegon, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Division | DCI All-Age Open |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Director | Misty Olmstead |
| Website | www |
Northern Lights Drum and Bugle Corps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit music education organization all-age drum and bugle corps based in Muskegon, Michigan. Founded in 2022, it competes within Drum Corps International's (DCI) SoundSport program and, as of 2025, has begun competing in DCI’s All-Age Class.
History
Northern Lights was founded in 2022 by Misty Olmstead, Doug Olmstead, AJ Olmstead, Jordan Roberts and a team of other music educators and designers.[1][2] In 2023, the corps launched and began performing exhibitions, it officially joined DCI's SoundSport competitive circuit in 2023.
Rehearsal started in November of 2023 hosted by Muskegon Community College in the Fine Arts Center.
Operation
The corps operates on a volunteer basis with no paid staff members. Expenses are supported through member dues, fundraising, and donations. In 2024, dues were approximately $350.[2] The corps’ 2024 operating team included around 130 people between staff, volunteers, and members.[2]
As of 2024, Northern Lights entered a partnership with Newaygo Public Schools (NPS) in Newaygo, Michigan. This partnership allows Northern Lights to use NPS's indoor and outdoor sports facilities as well as Newaygo Marching Band equipment.[3]
The age range of members spans from 12 years old to over 60, with numerous parent/child pairs marching together.[4] Northern Lights fielded approximately 42 members in 2023 and grew to 97 performers in 2024, more than doubling in size and adding a color guard for the first time.[2]
In 2024, Northern Lights was featured by WGVU PBS in Living West Michigan.[4] On July 8, 2025, NPR affiliate WGVU’s Shelley Irwin Show profiled Northern Lights.[5]
Traditions
Home Show
Like many other drum corps, Northern Lights hosts a home show annually in Lubbers Stadium at Grand Valley State University.
Corps Song
The Northern Lights corps song is “Michigan and Again” by The Accidentals.
| Year | Title | Repertiore | World Championships Score | World Championships Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | "Cathedral" | "Salve Regina Gregorian Chant" - "Engulfed Cathedral" by Claude Debussy - 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky - "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" by Richard Wagner | SoundSport "Gold" | 3rd Place Soundsport |
| 2024 | "Ignis" | “Dance of the Spirits of Fire” and “Mars” by Gustav Holst - “Firebird” by Stravinsky - "Symphony No. 2" by Gustav Mahler | SoundSport "Gold" | 3rd Place Soundsport |
| 2025 | " | "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics - "Danse Macabre" by Saint-Saëns - "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre - “Dream is Collapsing” and “Mombasa” by Hans Zimmer - “Symphonie Fantastique" by Hector Berlioz - “Lux Aeterna" by Clint Marsell | SoundSport "Gold" DCI All Age Championships: 76.425 | SoundSport DCI All Age Championships:13th Place[6] |
See Also
References
- ^ Griffith, Jeff (July 15, 2022). "Meet Northern Lights, Michigan's newest drum corps". DCI.org. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Inside the evolution of Northern Lights, SoundSport's Michigan all-ages corps". FloMarching. July 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Shelton, Natalie (2024-07-11). "NORTHERN LIGHTS: Families, Friends Shine Brightly at Premiere". FloMarching. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ a b "Living West Michigan: Northern Lights Drum Corps". WGVU PBS. June 14, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "The Shelley Irwin Show – July 8, 2025". WGVU News. July 8, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "Official DCI All-Age Class Championships Final Scores". Retrieved 2025-08-11.