NEWS

Ryle marching band to host Tournament of Bands

Community Recorder

Seven marching bands from across the state will travel to Union on Sept. 24to compete in the annual Ryle High School Tournament of Bands.

“If you’ve never attended a marching band competition, you’ll be surprised by the level of artistic skill and pageantry,” said Tracy Fuchs, Ryle High School Band Booster’s president. “Each band’s show tells a story using props, music and motion. It’s like taking an eight-minute Broadway show on the road.”

Bands participating in the Kentucky Music Educators Association sanctioned tournament represent six Kentucky high schools.

Schools represented will be Beechwood High School, Henry County High School, Lloyd Memorial High School, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Henry Clay High School, Lafayette High School and Milford High School from Ohio.

Proceeds from the Ryle Tournament of Bands will be used for the school’s music education program, instruments, guest professional clinicians, and a new artist-in-residence program. Ryle Band Director Robert Elliott notes that these investments will contribute to the overall success of Ryle High School.

Performances begin at 2:30 p.m.

The Ryle Tournament of Bands preliminary competition, featuring performances by all seven bands, begins at 2:30 pm.

All the bands will then compete in finals beginning at 7 p.m.

The Ryle Marching Raiders will perform an exhibition of this year’s show, “American Tapestry: Hope, Struggle, Acceptance,” prior to the 9 p.m. trophy presentations.

The tournament is sponsored by Kona Ice, Balluff, Commonwealth Orthopaedic Centers, L&N Federal Credit Union, Papa John’s Pizza and Flipdaddy’s.

All admission tickets are for general seating and will be sold at the gate for $10 for those 12 and older, $5 for those 55 and older, and are free for children 11 and younger.

The tournament takes place at Borland Stadium at Ryle High School, 10379 U.S. 42, Union, KY.

A full schedule and more information about the Ryle Tournament of Bands can be accessed from the Ryle Band website at www.ryleband.com.

IF YOU GO

  • Do not enter or leave the stadium while a band is performing.
  • Do not talk on cell phone during band performance.
  • Do not allow children to play in the stands.
  • Do not obstruct the view of others.