Marching To Excellence: The New York Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps

Have you heard about the New York Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps? They're a nonprofit group based in the Southern Tier of New York and they rehearse in towns like Owego, Binghamton, and Vestal.

They are a drum corps but not just any drum corps. They're a member of the 2024 DCI (Drum Corps International) All-Age inaugural season! This includes brass players, percussionists, front ensemble performers, audio technicians, and color guard/dancers.

During the summer season, they go from the practice fields of the Southern Tier of New York to the Drum Corps International World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

When I was young, I was a member of a Drum & Bugle Corps but nothing like this. I'm talking about the New York Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps and they have won every major title available to a Senior Drum & Bugle Corps.

This includes the American Legion National Champions, World Open Champions, Drum Corps Associates' Class "A" World Champions and more. They were founded in 1945 for members of two New York City American Legion junior corps that were returning from World War II.

The membership was accepted into the American Legion, and the new post was named after Raymond A. "Gabby" Garbarina, who had lost his life in the war. After the 1949 season, the corps became known as the Garbarina Skyliners, and later, the New York Skyliners.

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If you're interested in being part of the New York Skyliners, you can check out their website and fill out an interest form. They're all about making a positive impact in their community, and they're dedicated to excellence in the field of competitive drum and bugle corps.

The New York Skyliners have produced staff, members, and instructors who have become legends in the drum corps world. Many of them have been inducted into various halls of fame. They are the real deal, and have been going strong for over 75 years.