The Ryle Marching Raiders made school history recently, earning second place in the Kentucky Music Educators Association Class 5A State Finals at Western Kentucky University- the program’s highest finish ever.

Saturday’s performance of their 2025 show “Watercolors” capped an extraordinary season for the combined 161 instrument and color guard student members of the Marching Raiders. Ryle placed first in KMEA 5A semi-finals earlier in the day, beating repeated 5A State Champion Lafayette High School from Lexington. In finals competition, while Lafayette eclipsed Ryle with a score of just 0.55 higher to reclaim their state title, Ryle proved to be a formidable contender in finals.

Throughout the season, under the tutelage of Director of Bands Joe Craig and his instructional team (including

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