Thirteen marching bands from across the region will be coming to Union on September 22 to compete in the annual Ryle High School Tournament of Bands (RTOB). This Kentucky Music Educators Association sanctioned tournament has quickly become one of the most respected band competitions in the region.
<The Ryle band
According to Joe Craig, Ryle’s Director of Bands: “The Larry A. Ryle High School Tournament of Bands continues to be one of the finest marching band events in our Commonwealth. This year’s event features 12 of Kentucky’s finest bands, as well as one of Ohio’s premier ensembles. Our adjudication panel consists of eight nationally renowned judges, many of whom judge the premier DCI, WGI, and BOA events on an annual basis. Simply put, if you are a fan of marching band, you will want to be at Ryle High School on Saturday, September 22nd!”
Bands participating in the tournament represent twelve Kentucky high schools: Henry County, Henry Clay, Beechwood, Grant, Madison Central, Lafayette, Lloyd, Harrison County, North Oldham, Lewis, Campbell, Owen; and Milford High School from Ohio.
Proceeds from RTOB will be used to support the school’s variety of band programs with instrument purchase and maintenance, instructors, and professional clinicians. In addition to marching band, Ryle offers jazz band and pep band as extra-curricular activities, while there are several concert band classes offered within the school curriculum.
In fact, the Ryle Band program has risen to new heights under Craig’s direction. Craig explains, “2017 was a landmark year for the Ryle Marching Raiders. For the first time in school history, Ryle HS was named a Class 5A KMEA State Finalist, finishing fourth place in the state in their class. The band has been hard at work this summer in preparation for the 2018 competitive season, with their first competition of the season just a few days away. The students, parents, staff, and directors are looking forward to the debut of their 2018 program, ‘Breach.’”
The preliminary competition, featuring performances by all 13 bands, begins at 12:30 p.m. The top ten scoring bands will then compete in finals, beginning at 7 p.m. The Ryle Marching Raiders will perform their 2018 show, “Breach,” an exhibition prior to the 10 p.m. awards ceremony.
The Ryle High School Band Boosters appreciates the generous support of the following sponsors for their support of music education. Encore Sponsors: Balluff, Kona Ice, and Prestige. Accent Sponsor: L & N Credit Union. Overture Sponsors: Heritage Bank, Wing Eye Care, Central Bank, Whit’s Frozen Custard, Victory Lane Oil, Biggby, Ace Hardware, and Thomas More College.
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.
A full schedule and more information about the Ryle Tournament of Bands can be accessed at ryleband.com/rtob.
