Keeping its culture of excellence in performance and association, the Ryle Marching Band continues its tradition of hosting a first-rate tournament featuring some of the best music programs in Kentucky this fall.
On September 21, five marching bands from across the region will be coming to Union to participate 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 five of Kentucky’s finest bands, two of which were state champions in their classes last year.
“In addition to these five competitors, we will close our event with an exhibition performance of the Ryle High School Marching Raiders.
“Our adjudication panel consists of six nationally renowned judges, many of whom judge Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, and Bands of America events on an annual basis. Simply put, if you are a fan of marching band, you will want to be at Larry A. Ryle High School on Saturday, September 21.”
The National Anthem will be played at 2 p.m., with the first band of the day taking the field at 2:30 pm.
Bands participating in the tournament represent five Kentucky high schools: Beechwood, Lewis County, Lloyd Memorial, Lafayette, and Owen County.
While the preliminary competition begins at 2:30 p.m., the finals competition will begin at 7 p.m. Both series will feature all five competing bands, though the order of performance in the finals competition will be dependent on placement in the preliminary competition. The Ryle Marching Raiders will perform their 2024 show, “The Space Between” in exhibition prior to the 8:30 p.m. awards ceremony.
Proceeds from RTOB will be used to support the school’s variety of top-notch band programs with instrument purchase and maintenance, instructors, and professional clinicians. In addition to marching band, Ryle offers winter guard, 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 following are sponsors of the tournament: Legacy Sponsor: Pilot Company. Signature Sponsor: Waltz Sports, and Heaven Sent Photography. Encore Sponsor: Chick-Fil-A Mall Road. Crescendo Sponsors: Kona Ice, and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck. Accent Sponsor: Wert Music. Overture Sponsor: Poseidon’s Pizza Company.
All admission tickets are for general seating and will be sold at the gate for $15. Admission for seniors and children 10 and under is $10; and children 3 and under are free. The first 500 general admission tickets sold will receive a $2 coupon towards a purchase of $10 at the concessions stand. 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 seen at https://www.ryleband.com/copy-of-rtob
Ryle High School Band Boosters