CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium will be thundering July 17 with the return of some of the country’s best drum and bugle corps. 

Drum Corps International’s West Texas Drums will kick off at 7:30 p.m. July 17 in the stadium on WT’s campus in Canyon. Tickets are $35 to $55 for reserved seating and $25 for general admission. 

The evening will feature the Blue Knights from Denver; the Troopers from Casper, Wyoming; the Mandarins from Sacramento; The Academy from Tempe, Arizona; Pacific Crest from Diamond Bar, California; the Seattle Cascades from Seattle; and the Guardians from Houston. 

Corps are traveling the country throughout the summer to perform in various competitions such as West Texas Drums. The season will culminate at the 2023 Drum Corps International World Championship Finals on Aug. 12 in Indianapolis. 

This is the third year WT has hosted West Texas Drums, and audiences continue to grow, said Dr. B.J. Brooks, professor of theory and composition in the School of Music in WT’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. 

“Held right here in our own backyard, this thrilling competition showcases the incredible talent and dedication of over 1000 performers in seven unique corps,” Brooks said. “These groups create a spectacular fusion of rhythm, energy, and creativity. Whether you are a devoted follower of drum corps or simply curious about marching music, attending West Texas Drums promises an unforgettable experience.” 

DCI, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, features the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles of student musicians and performers. 

WT drum major Tobin Brooks, a junior music major from Canyon and son of Dr. Brooks, is one of the drum majors for Troopers. Canyon native Laura Gill, a sophomore music major at Abilene Christian University and daughter of Dr. Kristina Gill, associate professor of mathematics at WT, is a drum major for the Blue Knights. 

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World. 

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign — which publicly launched in September 2021— has raised more than $125 million and will continue through 2025.