Sixteen marching bands from across the region will be coming to Union on September 21 to compete in the annual Ryle High School Tournament of Bands (RTOB).
This Kentucky Music Educators Association-sanctioned tournament has become one of the most respected band competitions in the region.
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 15 of Kentucky’s finest bands, as well as one of Ohio’s premier ensembles.
Ryle Band (Last year photo provided)
“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 21!”
Bands participating in the tournament represent 16 Kentucky high schools: Bellevue, Lloyd Memorial, Williamstown, Washington County, Owen County, Henry County, Beechwood, Grant County, North Oldham, Harrison County, DuPont Manual, Dixie Heights, Campbell County, George Rogers Clark, Lafayette; 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. Ryle’s concert bands typically earn top ratings in district assessments conducted by the Kentucky Music Educators Association each year.
The preliminary competition, featuring performances by all 16 bands, begins at noon.
The top ten scoring bands will then compete in finals, beginning at 7 p.m.
The Ryle Marching Raiders will perform their 2019 show, “City of Dreams,” in exhibition prior to the 10 p.m. awards ceremony.
The Ryle High School Band Boosters has support of the following sponsors for music education. Encore Sponsors: Balluff , and Kona Ice. Accent Sponsors: Compass Self Storage, L & N Credit Union, and Whit’s Frozen Custard. Overture Sponsors: Heritage Bank, Biggby Coffee, and Victory Lane Oil Change.
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 found here.
Ryle Band, performing last year. (Photo provided)
