For Immediate Release – 5/7/2025

5/7/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It has been brought to my attention that there are some bad faith actors in the performing arts community that feel it is necessary to cause problems for reasons that I cannot comprehend.  There have been accusations made that my organization is benefiting from the use of a name that was once associated more directly with the New York Skyliners. My organization has never made any false claims that we are a direct part of this or any other drum and bugle corps. Our entire history as I have researched it through direct communications with past members, and through my own experiences, is on our public website and contains no false statements.

Just as the guard was originally brought together, members, staff, and alumni of various organizations, many of them Skyliners, made the independent decision to form a winter guard program. Because the situation was so similar to what it was in the early 1990’s I personally had conversations with many of the fine men and women that built Winter Sky in the past, and as a collective, we had their blessing to name the project and continue a great legacy that they built. The difference now is that we live in a more corporate world where handshake deals and good faith verbal agreements no longer exist. It was absolutely necessary to incorporate and create a proper non-profit corporation that can function independently in today’s society.

So, I am again reiterating, as I have before, and as is public knowledge through our website and social media, the Winter Sky Independent Colorguard is in no way, or will ever be, an arm of the New York Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps. We function independently as a corporation and our decisions are completely separate of any other organization. I will not apologize for mentioning a history that I personally am proud of as a 30+ year alumni of the Skyliners. I will not refuse to acknowledge that many of the people back then and currently are alumni of the Skyliners. I will certainly not stand by while a handful of egotistical narcissists do whatever they can to drag ours or the Skyliners’ name through the mud.

I pride myself in operating a safe, comforting environment for my membership where they do not have to be afraid of bullying and harassment or be subject to retaliation for being open with their needs. Something many of them have had taken away from them by other programs they have marched with. I have had several talks with Skyliner administration and have said repeatedly that I will do my best to persuade our members to try out drum corps with Sky if they can assure me that they will provide the SAME PROTECTIONS that we do.

I remain open and committed to growing positivity in this activity and that is my main goal as an administrator. I am happy to continue working with and supporting the Skyliner family of organizations to the extent that our goals and beliefs align. I am truly sorry that I had to release this statement publicly but it is far easier to prevent a fire of lies than to try and put it out.

I want to thank each and every one of you reading this for your continued support of our kids as they live their dreams of performance in the arts.

Respectfully,

Harry Eldridge, Jr.

PRESIDENT of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

Winter Sky Independent, Inc.