MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps is preparing for its biggest season since returning to competition, with more members, an expanded summer tour, a new production and a home performance in Hutchinson featuring some of the nation's top drum corps.
Executive Director Dale Antoine said the organization has experienced significant growth during the offseason as it enters its second competitive season in Drum Corps International's SoundSport division.
"We've had a really good offseason," Antoine said. "We're looking like we're going to march just at 100 members, which is an increase of about 25 over last year."
Antoine said approximately 63% of this year's members are returning from last season, while about 63% of the corps is made up of Kansas students. He said developing local talent has been one of the organization's primary goals since relaunching the corps.
"We wanted to build locally and help local music educators grow their programs," Antoine said. "It's very important to us because it helps with volunteers, fundraising and so many different aspects of what we're doing."
The corps will move into its summer training camp at Hutchinson Community College on June 28, remaining on campus through July 13 before beginning a four-show tour.
This year's production, titled What Was Already There, is inspired by The Wizard of Oz and centers on the Tin Man's heart.
"I think people will really like it," Antoine said. "The creative team has done a really, really nice job."
Following an opening performance in Olathe, the Sky Ryders will return home for the Hutchinson Drum Corps Showcase on July 14 at Gowans Stadium before continuing to Texas. The tour includes performances in Killeen and at the DCI Southwestern Championship in San Antonio's Alamodome, where more than 25 drum corps and an estimated crowd of 13,000 spectators are expected.
"It'll be a great experience for the kids," Antoine said.
The July 14 Hutchinson event will feature six nationally recognized drum corps from across the country, including the Blue Stars of Wisconsin, currently ranked among the nation's top corps. The evening will also include the inaugural induction class into the Sky Ryders Hall of Fame.
The show begins at 8 p.m., with the Sky Ryders scheduled to perform shortly after the opening ceremonies.
Tickets are available through the DCI website at dci.org and may also be purchased digitally at the gate. The event will be cashless.
Antoine said the organization is also preparing for another milestone. This will be the Sky Ryders' final season competing in the SoundSport division before moving into DCI Open Class in 2027, putting the corps one step closer to eventually competing in World Class.
"Our hope is within two years that we will go to the national championships," Antoine said. "I think by 2028 the goal is that we will take a run at the national championships and compete in the Open Class division."
In addition to the Sky Ryders' preparations, the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Texas has been conducting its spring training at Bethel College after relocating due to field construction at its original training site. Antoine said the arrangement has worked well and further highlights the region's growing role in the drum corps community.