Green, gold and royal blue

As the baseball season comes to an end, the Missouri Southern drumline, Royal Thunder, starts loading up equipment early into the back of a van, destination Kauffman Stadium. Unfortunately, the day was off to a rough start as slight drizzle spelled bad times for the finale performance.

Though the weather wasn't the most fortunate for an outdoor performance, the look on the drummers' faces as they prepared for the journey to Kansas City was both of excitement and anticipation, like a child on the day before his birthday.

"I was stoked to play another game, but I was also afraid the game was going to be cancelled," said Mike Chilton, a member of the Royal Thunder drumline.

By the time the drumline arrived in Kansas City, the clouds started to break, and a few ribbons of sunshine broke through. They were going to get to play after all.

This was the last of  seven performances held at Kauffman, home of the Kansas City Royals. Athletic Band Director Brian Fronzaglia single-handedly put together all the pieces to make these performances happen.

"It all started three years ago when the Royals asked us, along with other area drumlines, to put together a large performance piece for their opening day," Fronzaglia said. The event was such a hit with the Royal's, they contacted Fronzaglia and asked for him to assemble a smaller, tighter drumline for a series of performances. Earlier this year, the drumline was asked to return to Kauffman Stadium and contracted to perform on seven different occasions during games.  

The Royal Thunder drumline is one of few collegiate drumlines to actually be contracted out by a Major League team to perform on a regular basis.

There has already been talk about the drumline going back to Kauffman next season for a series of 20 games, which include both the opening day and the All-Star game.

"I think this is a precursor to what the rest of my life might be; I enjoy playing for this kind of crowd," Chilton said.

"Playing for baseball fans at a game is totally different than playing in a concert scenario, and in all honesty, way more fun," said John Schwerdt, a snare drum player. Fronzaglia feels that this kind of experience is great for his students and something valuable that could be added to their resume.  

"It's a change from the same old concert performance, when you're playing for that kind of audience," said Fronzaglia.

With a professional baseball team contract under their belt, the drumline is planning a performance for the minor league hockey team, the Wichita Thunder on Oct. 21.