Cascade Drum Major Injures Foot, May Be Out For A Few Shows

During field lining today, the stake that was holding one of the guide strings pulled out of the grass, hurled into the air by the tension of the string and struck Cascade Drum Major, Skylar Belfry, in the right foot. The stake penetrated Skylar’s foot and cracked the metatarsal bone of his little toe. He was immediately taken to the hospital where radiographs confirmed the fracture. As a result of this injury, Skylar will not be able to conduct at tonight’s show in Ogden, UT. In his place, Assistant Drum Major Erica Buege will lead and conduct the corps until Skylar’s foot is well enough to allow him to stand on the podium. Assisting Erica will be one of the Cascade’s trumpet player, Jenny Daer, who will be acting as a field conductor.

The Northwest Youth Music Association encourages development of life-long skills in Northwest youth by supporting musical and performing arts activities in collaboration with community and educational organizations. They are the proud sponsor of the Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps, Brass Attack, and the DCI Portland Summer Games. Most recently, NYMA has announced a merger with the sponsors of the Spokane Thunder, the Greater Spokane Drum Corps Association. The Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps is the longest surviving corps in the Pacific Northwest originating back in 1957 as the Seattle Thunderbirds. Recent acclaim has included the DCI Division III Champions in 2000, the DCI Division II Silver Medal winner in 2001 and the only Northwest corps to ever make finals at the DCI World Championships when they entered the field in Madison, Wisconsin in 2002.