News

The new drumline program gives students the opportunity to join a dynamic spirit band performing regular with pregame and halftime performances at Illinois College athletic events and additional public showings throughout the community. 

Tyler Carpenter, a Jacksonville native and experienced drumline performer and instructor, has been selected to lead the program. He joined the College in October from his most recent position as percussion director for Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper, Utah. He will focus on recruiting students to develop an energetic, diverse drumline to begin performing in fall 2020. 

“I am very excited and humbled to have the opportunity to begin the drumline program at Illinois College,” said Carpenter. “It is great to be back in the midwest and I look forward to building a program that not only adds excitement to the already vibrant IC athletic department, but is also a very visible and recognizable ensemble in the community.”

Carpenter spent four years performing with the Cleveland Browns Drumline. He is a graduate of Jacksonville High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University and a master’s in music performance from the University of Akron. He brings experience with a comprehensive range of percussive styles to the role, with experience leading several successful drumlines at the high school level and serving as an instructor at the collegiate level. 

Mike Snyder, director of athletics at IC, said he is excited to work closely with Carpenter as the new director of the IC drumline. 

“His ideas for engagement with the various athletic programs are exciting and will bring a continued energy to the various venues,” said Snyder. “The partnership between our programs will provide an added layer to both the student and student-athlete experiences at Illinois College.”