This month’s featured business is Phoenix Drumline.www.phoenixdrumline.org
History:
Phoenix Drumline is a non-profit organization that has been part of the Hutchinson community for about 26 years. Phoenix has two distinctly different seasons. It is currently the peak of the winter competitive season. Terry Lillis, the instructional director, leads the efforts to put on a performance that never fails to disappoint. For those who aren’t familiar with the winter program, it is similar to Hutchinson High School’s new field marching program, but with percussion instruments only. The other season is summer parade season. This is what Hutchinson and the area communities know Phoenix Drumline for. Who doesn’t love a parade with a drumline, right? Very fun, very playful. Summer is a more casual season compared to winter. Shane Matter, the summer instructor takes the kids through the basics and sets them up for a successful season. Many don’t realize that to be in Phoenix, you can be in winter or summer, or both seasons.
What to Know:
Phoenix is dedicated to developing young people not only musically, but they also work hard to develop young leaders. For those who saw the Hutchinson High School’s field show program under the direction of Kevin Kleindl and want to be ahead on your marching skills, Phoenix is an AWESOME skill builder for field marching, percussionist or not. Even though it is winter, planning for the summer season has already begun. If you are interested in learning more about Phoenix Drumline, attend the Summer open house at the High School Band Room on April 7th at 6:30pm. If you are finishing up 6th grade up to age 22 and are curious about what they do, stop by!
The Current Season:
This year’s winter program What She Had Done, the Lizzie Borden story is very dark in comparison to last year’s show What Baking Can Do. The preliminary competition is in Burnsville on March 28 and the season finishes on April 4th for MPA finals at Mariucci arena at the U of M. The summer season includes parades and community service events that qualify for service hours (Relay for Life, Water Carnival parades, for example). Sometimes we get to do really cool impromptu things like perform at the Super Bowl Live events!
Important Fact!:
You DO NOT need to know how to play piano to be a member, nor do you even need to know how to read music. Phoenix Drumline takes everyone and finds an instrument that fits the member. The only requirement is to have dedication to practice, practice, practice, and also to have fun!
What would you like people to know about the Chamber?
The Chamber does so much to boost our community and local businesses. You are EVERYWHERE! For those who are not Chamber Members, I suggest you stop by the Chamber office and learn about all the benefits a membership provides. You will be surprised!