Dear Phans,
It is my privilege to share with you the remarkable journey we have traveled in 2025, and the extraordinary future taking shape before our eyes for 2026. Your support has always been a driving force behind our success, and today, I invite you to continue marching with us as we honor our legacy and boldly step into our 70th year.
The 2025 Phantom Regiment proved that a show does not need a title or a tidy explanation to leave a mark, it only needs truth. Our performers created something that echoed far beyond the field, something that became yours the moment it made you feel seen. That connection, that shared experience, is the heart of Phantom Regiment, and it exists because of you. Your belief carried this corps through a season built on honesty and vulnerability, and your support helped us earn the FloMarching Fan Favorite award for the fifth year in a row.
As we prepare for our 2026 season, Phantom Regiment is poised for one of the most meaningful milestones in our history: the celebration of our 70th anniversary and a more than 600-person Alumni Corps. This gathering of performers and Phamily exemplifies the pride, tradition, and deep sense of identity that make Phantom Regiment unlike any other organization in the performing arts. It is a moment that connects our past to our future.
This year, we are continuing our commitment to building an environment where excellence thrives. I am delighted to share that the majority of our drum corps educational and design staff are returning for the 2026 season. We believe in treating our staff like the true professionals they are—empowering them with trust, creative freedom, and the support they need to bring to life a performance of a lifetime. Their renewed commitment speaks volumes about the direction of our organization.
Our drum corps membership, too, is stronger than ever. With over 100 marching members returning to take part in our signature program, we are confident they will emerge as a well-melded, deeply connected ensemble. That kind of continuity builds confidence, chemistry, and unity. As Corps Director, Dwight Emmert shared with our members before the 2025 San Antonio show: “Be strong. Be bold. Be beautiful. There is no one like you. And you need to own that. That is the greatest thing.” That bold, beautiful, and authentically Phantom Regiment spirit will guide us into our 70th year.
This is the mission of Phantom Regiment: to provide life-changing experiences through performing arts education. Experiences that build confident leaders, compassionate teammates, and resilient young adults. Experiences made possible by you.
“Without drum corps, I would not be
even close to the person I am today.”
~Maggie Lowe, 2025 Color Guard Captain
As we conclude 2025, I am asking for your support in helping us reach our $50,000 Annual Giving Campaign goal. Your gift, no matter the size, strengthens our foundation and ensures that rising touring expenses are funded and that critical educational programs remain accessible to every member who dreams of wearing the chevron.
For nearly 70 years, Phantom Regiment has inspired excellence on the field, in our community, and in the lives of thousands. Together, we can preserve that legacy and secure the future for generations to come.
Thank you for your continued belief in our mission and for being an essential part of the Phantom Regiment Phamily. I look forward to what we will achieve together as we honor our past and boldly march into the future.
Warm regards,
Amanda Hamaker
CEO
