Crystal Lake Strikers' Kingpins drumline earns state award
The Crystal Lake Strikers' newest drumline, The Kingpins, received the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Outstanding Program or Special Event Award at its annual meeting on Friday, Jan. 24.
This prestigious honor is bestowed on only one organization in Division I, which is based upon the agency's size.
The statewide award recognizes the role of volunteers, the program's uniqueness, and its impact upon the agency and surrounding community.
The Kingpins Drumline, in only its first year of existence, is a cooperative effort between the Crystal Lake Strikers and the Northern Illinois Recreation Association, designed to bring the excitement of drumming to students with special needs.
The 22 participants rehearse once a week and have had the opportunity to perform at the Raue Center, Rosemont Theatre, and in the Crystal Lake Independence Day and holiday parades.
Three NISRA staff and approximately 10 Strikers volunteers support the musicians in their weekly practices that include recorded music, body movements and cadences like the Strikers adult and All-Stars performing ensembles.
The Kingpins will perform with all of the Strikers' ensembles at the "Evening of Percussion" from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Raue Center of the Arts, 26 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake. Doors for this fundraising event open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20 or $6 for youth, age 18 or younger. Student tickets are not available online and must be purchased through the box office. For tickets to the show, visit www.rauecenter.org/event/evening-of-percussion/.
For more information, contact Angela Krambeer of the Strikers at angelakrambeer@gmail.com or Cailyn Welch of NISRA at cwelch@nisra.org.
The Crystal Lake Strikers is a performing arts and education organization committed to entertaining audiences and providing opportunities for students to learn percussion, color guard and other performing arts.
Founded in 2007, the Strikers currently house five student performing groups and the Strikers adult line that performs throughout the Chicago area during the summer. Visit www.clstrikers.com for more information.
The Northern Illinois Recreation Association serves 1,500 children and adults with disabilities in 13 communities in McHenry County and parts of Cook, Lake and Kane counties. Its programs take place in public and commercial recreation facilities, and are open to participants of all ages and ability levels. Its mission is: enriching the lives of people with disabilities through meaningful recreation experiences and its values are: fun, professional, compassionate, trustworthy and innovative. It has received national and state awards for providing programs that fulfill its mission and values. Visit www.nisra.org to learn more.