ABOUT US
The Crystal Lake Thunder is an indoor drumline competing as a WGI Class A Independent group. In their 3-year history they have grown from a beginner performance group into a WGI Finalist.
Indoor drumline is a competitive winter-based pageantry art centered around rudimentary marching percussion. Stemming from competitive drum and bugle corps, the indoor drumline activity encompasses scholastic and independent circuits under one umbrella organization called Winter Guard International - or WGI. Thunder operates as an independent group, competing in the Percussion Independent A class. Most students of independent organizations range in age from 14 to 22, at which point you graduate from the activity. Each ensemble prepares a floor show lasting approximately 6 minutes, and spends their season rehearsing and perfecting their program until meeting mid-April in Dayton, Ohio for the WGI Percussion Championships.
Performance. Education. Community.
Performance. Education. Community.
Performance. Education. Community.
The Growth Continues
The Crystal Lake Strikers are in their second decade of entertaining audiences and educating young performers. Started in 2008 as an outlet for drummers beyond their college marching band days, the Strikers have grown to include seven student ensembles numbering 125+ members.
Winter programs are starting up now! Sign up today!
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Thunder (competitive drumline) auditions are November 4th and 11th, free clinics on October 24th and 26th.
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Convergence (competitive winter guard) free spin clinics are October 15th and 29th.
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Strikers All-Stars (high school drumline) start October 25th.
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Strike Force (middle school drums) opens October 17th.
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Girls on the Drum (middle school girls drumline) starts meeting November 2nd.
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Pinstripes (elementary school percussion) kicks off on December 7th.
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Kingpins (drumming for individuals with special needs) registration is always open!
NEW Strikers Fall Kickoff
NEW Kingpins program!
The Crystal Lake Strikers have opened a new Kingpins charter in Southwest Michigan
NEW Virtual Evening of Percussion Now Available
The Crystal Lake Strikers 2021 Virtual Evening of Percussion video is now available for you to view online.
NEW Early Elementary School Drum Camp
The Crystal Lake Strikers is pleased to announce an Early Elementary School Drum Camp. This fun camp is designed for boys and girls in 2nd through 4th grade.
The camp is designed to focus on basic drumming concepts and techniques utilizing a variety of fun percussion instruments.
Strikers Receive Grant
The Crystal Lake Strikers have earned a grant from the Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF) to support expansion of the organization’s award-winning Kingpins program for special needs students.
The growth of the Kingpins has led to a desire to expand the reach beyond its home in Crystal Lake. The generous grant from BACF will provide transportation and equipment to make that dream possible.
Strikers Award 2020 Scholarships
At the Strikers' Evening of Percussion, eight scholarship winners from Strikers' ensembles were announced. They included:
William Laskey Memorial: Mikey Speziale
Tim Althoff Memorial: Emma Cross
Strikers: Mia Chahmirzadi, Brittany James, Brendan Schoneberg, Kris Sanchez, Linnea Sardina, Ana Munoz, and Nathan Melchert.
Kingpins win State Award
The Kingpins received the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Outstanding Program or Special Event Award in Division I at its Annual Meeting on Friday, January 24. This prestigious honor is bestowed on only one organization per division.
The Kingpins Drumline, in its first year of existence, is a cooperative effort between the Strikers and the Northern Illinois Recreation Association (NISRA),
Crystal Lake Thunder Advances to WGI Finals
The Crystal Lake Thunder advanced to WGI Finals during the WGI competition in Dayton OH on April 12th, 2019
Convergence Winterguard Takes Top Honors
For the 3rd consecutive year in a row, the Convergence Winterguard captures 1st place in Independent Regional A Class during the Midwest Color Guard Circuit competition
Learn more about Convergence >