By Monty Siekerman
FROM ADA ICON - You've heard their music throughout Ada since June 2, now the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps is ready for their Thank You Ada concert. The free concert will begin at 8 p.m. at the Dial-Roberson Stadium on the ONU campus.

After practicing in Ada, the Cadets will take their show on the road from coast to coast, competing against other corps from the U.S. and Canada. The 15O-member Cadets Corps includes more than 100 musicians.

Drum Corps International competition begins June 22 in Indianapolis. It continues with nearly 30 shows in 15 states before returning to Indianapolis for the world championships Aug. 10-12.

This year’s competition program is based on the musical theater production, “MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers,” by Leonard Bernstein, with additional music by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst and Omar Carmenates.

"Faithful; The Fallen; The Forgiven” will be performed in three acts using the Bernstein production’s references to religion. It features quotes of Roman Catholic liturgy, with sacred costumes and symbols.

 Organizers call it an “exploration of a succession of life that exists regardless of belief.”

Last year about 1,000 people were on hand for the Thank You Ada performance to hear and see the show.