CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps brought the spirit of competition to Cheyenne on July 12 with a triumphant performance at their home show, Drums Along the Rockies – Cheyenne Edition. Among the standout performers were three locals, all Cheyenne Central High School graduates, who returned to their hometown to compete in this event.
Though the Troopers are based out of Casper, the competition in Cheyenne is considered their home field. Traveling to Casper and back before the Drums Along the Rockies competition in Fort Collins, Colorado, would be logistically challenging.
Ella Gienapp, the color guard commander, marked her fourth season with the Troopers. Having recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Botany, Ella’s journey with the Troopers has taken dedication and passion, she said in an interview before the Cheyenne performance.
She attributes much of her success to the exceptional color guard director at Central High School, who also influenced her teammate, Emily Ottoes.
Reflecting on her return to Cheyenne, Ella said, “There are a lot of memories here, but it is a bit weird being with similar people in such a different setting.”
Ella is set to head to Idaho for teaching, with aspirations of a career in conservation. She became interested in the Troopers because of marching band trips to Fort Collins to watch Drums Along the Rockies.
Ella’s twin brother, Cullen Gienapp, is in his second season with the Troopers, playing the euphonium. After taking a year off to focus on his studies in Georgia, Cullen expressed his excitement about being back in Cheyenne.
“It feels good. I’m happy to be back in Cheyenne,” he said. “I don’t get to make it back as often as Ella.”
Cullen is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in music and aims for a master’s in teaching. His interest in Drum Corps was sparked by videos shown during high school marching band practices. Despite initial doubts about his skills, Cullen was inspired in 2021 and eventually found a place with the Troopers after being cut from The Scouts.
“The Troopers was kind of my sister’s thing, and I didn’t want to go that direction,” Cullen said. However, after joining the Troopers and beating The Scouts in their first competition, Cullen remarked, “That felt good.”
Emily Ottoes, now in her third season with the Troopers’ color guard, has a strong familial connection to the group. Her father, Mike Ottoes, is the current CEO of the organization. Emily emphasized that despite this connection, she has always been reassured of her place in the group based on her own merits.
“The people here make sure I don’t feel like I don’t deserve to be here,” she said. Emily, who has one more year with the Troopers and at the University of Wyoming, majors in English and is a member of the Western Thunder Marching Band.
The trio offered advice to aspiring Drum Corps members. Ella highlighted the transformative power of Drum Corps, stating, “Don’t let your high school marching band program get in the way. If you are willing to put in the time, you can make it. It can utterly change your life.”
Emily stressed the importance of patience and the support system behind the scenes. Cullen echoed these sentiments, advising, “Learn to be patient. Once you get there, it is so rewarding. It’s one of the coolest experiences I have ever had.”
Their return to Cheyenne was capped with a significant victory as the Troopers clinched first place with a score of 78.4. The scores from the competition were:
- Troopers – 78.4
- Pacific Crest – 74.75
- The Academy – 71.55
- Genesis – 67.95
- Seattle Cascades – 64.20
This homecoming performance at Bison Stadium at South High School was not just a competition but also a celebration of local talent and community spirit. Hundreds of fans packed the west side of the stadium for the performance, with about 900 tickets sold and near 1,000 performers or staff from the participating drum corps.
As Ella and Cullen prepare to age out after this season, their legacy, along with Emily’s ongoing contributions, continues to inspire future generations of drum corps enthusiasts.
The Troopers organization, founded in 1957 by Wyoming businessman and United States Air Force veteran Jim Jones, has a rich history. Known as Wyoming’s Musical Ambassadors since 1967, they proudly represent the state across the nation. The Troopers provide enriching development for young people through music education.
This year, the Troopers’ performance is titled “Dance with the Devil.” The season has been a successful one so far. They have celebrated multiple competition wins and one of their highest starting scores. Highlights include first-place finishes at the Northwest Youth Music Games in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, and another victory in Kennewick, Washington.
Their recent results are impressive:
- July 15, Olathe, Kansas: third, 79.1
- July 13, Fort Collins, Colorado: fourth, 77.75
- July 12, Cheyenne, Wyoming: first, 78.4
- July 10, Ogden, Utah: fourth, 76.65
- July 9, Boise, Idaho: second, 75.2
- July 8, Kennewick, Washington: first, 75.75
- July 6, Seattle, Washington: first, 72.9
- July 5, Portland, Oregon: first, 71.45
With the support of local talents like Ella, Cullen and Emily, the Troopers continue to achieve excellence on the field and foster a legacy of musical and personal growth.
Though the Troopers’ competitive performance cannot be recorded due to licensing issues, you can enjoy its encore performance below.
