Alumni of the Cedar Rapids Emerald Knights to perform at Tournament of Drums

Five drum corps units from across the country will gather on Friday, July 29 at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids (907 15th St. SW) for the second year of the newly-revived Tournament of Drums. The program showcases the musicianship and marching skills of some of the country’s top corps. Competing that night will be the Blue Devils B, from Concord, CA; Genesis, from Austin, TX; Shadow, from Oregon, WI; the Vanguard Cadets, from Santa Clara, CA; and Iowa’s own Colt Cadets, out of Dubuque. Cedar Rapids high schools, Center Point-Urbana high school and Anamosa middle school will be hosting the groups for practice space this week.

Also performing at the event is the alumni group from the now-defunct Cedar Rapids corps the Emerald Knights. The musicians were responsible for reviving the Tournament last year, to mark the 50th anniversary of the corps’ founding. The Emerald Knights played their final season in 2001, a return after formally disbanding the then-named Nite Express in 1996. The Knights Alumni Drumline is based in the Quad Cities.

Tickets for the Tournament of Drums are $12 in advance or $14 the day of the show. Children five and under are free. Tickets are available online and can also be purchased at Hills Bank and West Music locations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the surrounding area.