William Penn Announces Partnership with Racine Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps

12/08/2016

William Penn University recently announced an exciting new partnership between its Athletic Bands and the Racine Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps of Racine, WI.  This decision comes on the heels of an administrative visit from the corps to Oskaloosa where they met with Terry DeJong, Director of Athletic Bands, and discussed details such as community involvement and the growth of both programs.

“I am very pleased to see this partnership develop with the Racine Scouts to benefit both of our programs,” said DeJong.  “They’ve got such a long history, now 89 years old, and it’s our privilege to help them with changes to continue their future and become part of our community and with us becoming part of their history.”

William Penn University students interested in drum corps will now have scholarships available to them for participating as a marching member or for interning on the instructional staff of the corps.  High school students will continue to have an affordable option for a quality college experience through scholarships awarded for participation in WPU Athletic Bands.

This partnership will also allow the drum corps to host winter camps and spring training at the former Vennard College campus located in University Park, just outside of Oskaloosa.  This arrangement offers an opportunity for instructional staff and members to properly prepare for the highly anticipated six-week tour within Drum Corps International’s Summer Music Games.  The first camp will be held this weekend, December 10–11.  The Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group will be present at Vennard Memorial Hall to welcome the corps to the community at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10.

“With the corps’ student involvement and internship/scholarship opportunities, this adds another unique offering with our program that other universities in Iowa do not offer,” DeJong concluded.

While the Racine Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps will move winter and spring rehearsals primarily to Oskaloosa, they will continue to operate and expand in their community in Racine.  For their upcoming season, the administration anticipates 60-75 marching members, led by the finest educators in the Midwest.  For more information about the Racine Scouts, visit www.racinescouts.com. For more information about William Penn University, visit www.wmpenn.edu.

For more information, contact:

Hailey Brown
Communications/Event Coordinator |
Office: 641-673-1078
201 Trueblood Avenue
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577