Whether you're the most avid fan of drum and bugle corps or someone who has never been to a competition, Elizabeth Forward High School Stadium is the place to be Friday evening beginning at 7 p.m.

Eight of Drum Corps International's top corps will be appearing at "Music on the Mon," a competition hosted by the Elizabeth Forward band boosters. Six of the corps finished among the top 12 at last year's DCI World Championships at Foxborough, Mass., including the defending champion Cadets of Allentown, Pa.

The lineup also includes Phantom Regiment of Rockford, Ill., which placed third; seventh-place Carolina Crown of Fort Mill, S.C.; ninth-place Boston Crusaders of Boston; 11th-place Glassmen of Toledo, Ohio; 12th-place Spirit of JSU of Jacksonville, Ala.; 14th-place Crossmen of Allentown, Pa.; and 21st-place Magic of Orlando, Fla.

"Some of the best of the best will be coming," said Dave Cornelius, band director of Elizabeth Forward. "This show offers something for new fans and something for traditional fans. Almost every type of musical style will be portrayed."

Perhaps most intriguing will be the Cadets. Their show, "Volume 2: Through the Looking Glass," is a continuation of last year's gold-medal winning presentation of "The Zone, Dreamscapes in Four Parts With a Door."

The show, described as "very surreal," is also controversial because of the amount of vocalization, rare in previous competitions. Judges, however, have been awarding the Cadets high marks in early-season contests so far.

The Cadets, winners of nine DCI championships, have placed among the top five for 14 consecutive years.

"Likely crowd favorites will be Phantom Regiment, the Boston Crusaders and the Glassmen," said Cornelius. "Phantom Regiment was third last year, and they have made a big push during the off-season to take the next step."

Music on the Mon is one of two DCI competitions in the Pittsburgh area this summer. The other is the Pittsburgh Summer Music Games at Baldwin High School on July 31.

Information about the Baldwin event: www.bwschools.net/patron/music/dci.htm or 412-551-4336.

Music on the Mon tickets -- $18, $16 and $13 -- can be purchased at the gate or by calling 412-896-2353. More information: www.musiconthemon.com. Complete DCI summer tour schedule: www.dci.org.