Published September 30, 2024
Josue Zapata, left, a DC3 sophomore from Dodge City, rehearses with the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps on the evening of July 15, in Hutchinson, Kan. [Photo by Katherine Bowden]
Josue Zapata, a Dodge City Community College (DC3) sophomore from Dodge City, was chosen to perform on July 15-16 with the Sky Ryders, a drum and bugle corps based out of Hutchinson, Kan.
Katherine Bowden, DC3 Interim Band Director, said she and Zapata first heard about the Sky Ryders opportunity from a social media post.
“This was a very prestigious event,” she said. “And it was a great honor for him to represent DC3.”
Zapata, who was tapped to play second snare drum for Sky Ryders, played a “vital” role in the performance, due to his abilities and leadership, Bowden said.
“As a percussionist you have the hardest job of keeping the corps in time and on the beat,” she said. “So, Josue playing second snare in the drumline means he had to be very well rounded on his instrument.”
The Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps—a competitive Hutchinson-based drum and bugle corps that was originally in existence from the 1950s to the 1990s—is in the process of reestablishing itself, with the help of the Sky Ryders Performing Arts Foundation, which was formed in 2022.
DC3 sophomore, Josue Zapata, performs with the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps, on July 16, at Gowans Stadium, in Hutchinson, Kan. Zapata is pictured in the second row, fifth from left. [Photo by Katherine Bowden]
Zapata said that performing with the group was “amazing” and felt different than playing at the high school or college levels.
“It was something that felt more special, and it truly is,” he said. “The Sky Ryders haven’t been around since the early ’90s, and I was part of that first group to perform under the name of ‘Sky Ryders’ since then. That is something that no one can ever take away from me and something I’ll always be proud of.”
Another thing no one can take away from Zapata is the fact he has already been asked back for next year as the lead snare drummer, Bowden said.
“Actually, because of how much they loved Josue, Sky Ryders wants to host a camp here this coming summer to see if they can get more talented kids who are in the area to join,” she said. “All ages are able to join, but I hope as they rebuild Sky Ryders, we begin to see more DC3 kids like Josue take part.”
The Sky Ryders performance aside, Bowden said it has been a huge blessing to have Zapata in the DC3 band the past few semesters due to his strong work ethic and leadership skills.
“He builds others up and helps those around him,” she said. “He is constantly trying to improve himself not only as a musician, but as a leader and a person. He is literally every band director’s dream student, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
By Lance ZieschDC3 Director of Marketing and Public Relations