Mehlville High School sophomore Wyatt Palacios Lindsey has been selected as a member of the River City Rhythm (RCR) Drum and Bugle Corps. RCR’s Drum and Bugle Corps competes in shows all across the Midwest throughout the summer. The corps has been an open class finalist nine times in the Drum Corps International (DCI) circuit.
“When I got selected, I thought (director Jack Johnson) was joking with me and my heart stopped,” Wyatt said. “Then once I processed it, I was flushed with emotion, and I was in shock and ecstatic so much to a point where I hugged him.”
Wyatt has been playing the drums for five years, inspired by his brother, Aiden Palacios Lindsey. When he found out that he could use his drumming skills to audition for the Drum and Bugle Corps, he took the opportunity.
The audition process required Wyatt to register for a camp through River City Rhythm, which took place in December. Wyatt received an audition packet that gave him everything he could expect from the audition camp, as well as materials he would need to memorize.
Once Wyatt got to the audition site, he spent the weekend at a high school where RCR provided housing, food and drums. He auditioned on the snare drum, competing with approximately 11-13 kids for his spot. Wyatt says that RCR doesn’t usually contract everybody they want at the first camp; some students may have to audition again and be selected later.
“I was lucky enough to get contracted in December,” Wyatt said.
Now, Wyatt is preparing for his summer of competitions with the Drum and Bugle Corps. Over the summer, he will learn the whole show in about two weeks — after that, he will play in 14 performances across the Midwest. His first will be July 2 in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and his last will be July 31 in Allendale, Wisconsin. He will also perform in the states of Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio.
Following the Drum and Bugle Corps’ tour of 14 regular performances, the troupe will perform at DCI’s Open Class Championships from Aug. 3-4, as well as the DCI World Class Championships from Aug. 6-8.
