Photos and video provided by Julie Schenk of the Antigo Times,

This past Saturday at Schofield Stadium, the Antigo Marching Showcase brought in bands from Marathon and Merrill High School to not only compete with the Red Robins in exhibition performances but also join in a salute to the United States with a joint-performance of “America the Beautiful.”

The showcase marked Antigo’s second competitive performance of the year following a trip to Waukesha North in mid-September. Saturday’s performance of “The True Heroes of Iwo Jima,” AHS’s titular, WWII-themed show for 2016, was also noted by the presentation of a plaque and an Unknown Soldier’s flag by local veterans Daniel Persen and John Marmes.

As with Waukesha, the bands had a chance to hear criticisms and comments directly from the judges after the performance, an element of critique that Dewey has noted as a great opportunity for the band and its individuals to here feedback.

The bands also traded drum line performances in a friendly showcase.

Sunday saw the Antigo Marching Band play with Merrill at the newly-renovated Jay Stadium, where once again the bands had the opportunity to interact directly with the judges. This week, Antigo will be celebrating its homecoming festivities, including performances by the AHS band at both the parade (beginning at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church and proceeding to West Elementary) and the Bell Game at Schofield Stadium.

For their next competitive performance, Antigo will travel to Baldwin-Woodville High School this Saturday followed by the 4th Annual “Rhythm by the River” Marching Band Festival in River Falls on Sunday the 9th.

The plaque and flag presented to the band by local veterans.

Merrill High School Drumline

Marathon High School Drumline

Antigo Bass Line

Antigo Snares – Doug Dittel and Caleb Cooper

Antigo, Merrill and Marathon perform “America the Beautiful”

Jeff Dewey, Director of Antigo High School Band

Members of Antigo’s Color Guard raise the flag to commemorate the flag raising at Iwo Jima.