Marty's Goldenaires wins first place at drum corps competition

MENOMINEE — Marty’s Goldenaires Senior Drum and Bugle Corps won first place at a friendly competition with four other corps at a festival in Menominee.

Marty’s Goldenaires marched and performed in the Waterfront Festival on Aug. 10 and won first place through a decision made by those in attendance. The festival brought musical acts who were members from the Small Drum Corps Association.

The other performing groups were: The Blue Saints, a junior corps from Sudbury, Ontario; The Blue Notes, an alumni corps from Ispheming; the Jim Ott Brass Ensemble, a group from Stockton, Calif .; and The Northernaires, an alumni corps from Menominee.

“In front of a sizable audience, each corps had up to 30 minutes to put on their best show,” said Dustin Pitrone, assistant director of the Goldenaires. “The event provided some fantastic musicianship.”

Following the performances, fans sent a text voting for their favorite performance, Pitrone said.

Then all the groups joined together and played various songs including: “Climb Every Mountain,” “America The Beautiful,” “Bully,” and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” also known as the “Navy Hymm.”

After the votes were calculated, the director of each group gathered on stage for the announcement.

Third place went to The Blue Saints with 12 percent of the vote.

The Jim Ott Brass Ensemble took second place with 14 percent and Marty’s Goldenaires won first place with 72 percent.

“The 2014 SDCA Menominee event will be put into the pages of the Goldenaires’ respected colorful and memorable history,” Pitrone said.

Marty’s Goldenaires will host their annual fundraising community picnic today at Bluff Valley Park in Bessemer.

The event will feature food, raffles, a bake sale and kids games beginning at noon with live polka music by Jim Favero during the afternoon.

Adult beverages, soda and Goldenaires merchandise will be available all day.

Musical performances will also be a part of the event.

The Lowell Street Band from Ironwood will play from 6-11 p.m. and Marty’s Goldenaires will perform before dusk.

“It’s meaningful to note that the support from all the fans, community organizations and businesses is what keeps Marty’s Goldenaires alive,” Pitrone said.

The corps will also finish up its 2014 performing season Labor Day weekend. On Aug. 30, members will be in Wakefield for a 2:30 p.m. concert, which is sponsored by the Wakefield Fireworks Committee. A 4:30 p.m. performance will take place at Hurley’s Festival Italiano, and the musicians will travel to Ontonagon for the Labor Fest Parade Aug. 31.