The KHS America Academic Alliance recently teamed up with two of their long-standing Drum Corps International partner ensembles to provide tickets for band students to attend DCI competitions in order to aid in school band program recruitment and retention. The Academic Alliance and its affiliated brands; Jupiter Winds, XO Brass, Mapex Drums and Majestic Percussion, supported this year’s Drums Across the Desert, hosted by The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, as Presenting Sponsor and Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl, hosted by Pacific Crest as an Outreach Program Sponsor and Resource Partner.
With a new initiative launched by The Academy called PROJECT: Grow Our Bands, Arizona Middle School and High School band students were able to purchase tickets to Drums Across the Desert on July 2nd at Sun Devil Stadium for a greatly reduced amount, and students of Title I schools were able to get a ticket to the show for free. In the past, the financial burden of attending the event has been the primary barrier for students. Through sponsorship from KHS, sixty bands were able to send over 1,700 students to Drums Across the Desert. “Almost half of our ensemble was able to attend the event because of the support provided by KHS America and The Academy, and for many this was their first drum corps show. This opportunity made a huge difference to the band students across our state as we continue to rebuild our programs, post-COVID” notes Jennifer Howard, Director of Bands at Dobson High School and ABODA Vice President of High School Band Activities.
(Band students in attendance at the Rose Bowl)
For more information visit khs-america.com.
