The Liberal Drum Academy exists to provide students from the Southwest Kansas, Oklahoma & Texas Panhandles, and surrounding rural communities with opportunities in percussion education and battery performance.
Through structured instruction, students develop strong fundamentals, musical discipline, ensemble skills and performance experience in a supportive but challenging environment.
From beginners learning their first rhythms to advanced students performing in a full drum battery, the academy is designed to help percussionists grow confidence in their skills, leadership, and musicianship.
The Academy serves as a training bridge between where you are and where you want to go with more advanced level opportunities like the ensembles of Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International, and more.
NEWS
250th Flute & Drum Corps wins in Idependence Day Parade
July 7, 2026 - The 250th Flute & Drum Corps was honored by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution by winning the "Best Performing Float" category in the Independence Day Parade in Liberal, KS. We are very excited for this group to receive top honors on their first public performance.
"Everyone was excited to see and hear them! It took people a little bit to realize what we were doing because this is such a novel concept for the Southwest Kansas area, but it was a great experience," said Matthew Rice, the Liberal Drum Academy's music director for the 250th Flute & Drum Corps. Adding to Rice's comments, the executive and artistic director for the Liberal Drum Academy, Josiah Smiddy added, "With this initial success and more lead time for marketing and recruitment for next year, we will definitely organize this ensemble again for 2027. Be on the lookout for recruiting information soon."
More information about the prizes can be found at LiberalFirst.com.
ENROLLMENT BEGINS SOON!
Enrollments for all classes begin soon. Keep an eye out for registration information!
Ensembles
250th Flute & Drum Corps
Founded in May 2026 for the 250th Independence Day parade in Liberal, KS, the 250th Flute & Drum Corps is the first ensemble fielded by the Liberal Drum Academy. The 250th Flute & Drum Corps was created using modern piccolos and flutes in addition to modern snare drums to create a uniquely Southwest Kansas version of the ancient fife & drum corps commonly found in New England. The 250th Flute & Drum Corps plays fife & drum corps classics like Yankee Doodle and De Camptown Races.
The Battery
The Battery is the Liberal Drum Academy's premier performing ensemble of marching percussion. In addition to stand-alone performances, The Battery also serves as the drum corps of the 250th Flute & Drum Corps. All students in "The Corps" class and select students from "The Line" class perform in The Battery which focuses on high-precision ensemble music on marching percussion.
Academy Classes
The Cadets
The Cadets class is our beginner program. Designed for the complete beginner, one can begin this class with just a pair of drumsticks. This class is designed to develop the student from just a dream to a reality of being a percussionist using snare drum as the primary teaching medium. This class meets once a week online and has assignments in between class sessions.
The Line
The Line class is our intermediate program. This class reinforces everything learned in the beginner class, teaches new rudiments, and begins teaching ensemble performance. This class meets once a week online and has assignments in between class sessions. There are additional in-person rehearsals 1-2 times per month.
The Corps
The Corps class is our advanced program. This reinforces everything previously learned and focuses primarily on individual musicianship in the ensemble setting. This class meets once a week online and has assignments in between class sessions. There are additional in-person rehearsals 3-4 times per month. The primary focus of this class is on the development of ensembly play in the in-person classes.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available to improve on individual skills, achieve specific goals, and improve areas of deficiency. Based on instructor availability, lessons for drumset may also be available.
Instructors
Lead Percussion Instructor
Rhythm & Musicianship Instructor
Josiah Smiddy is the Founder and Executive & Artistic Director of Liberal Drum Academy. He currently serves as Music Director of the Southwest Symphony and is a band director in Liberal, Kansas. Recognized for his excellence in music education, Mr. Smiddy has been named Teacher of the Month multiple times, was selected as Teacher of the Year, and was a Region 1 semifinalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year.
As both a performer and educator, Mr. Smiddy brings a wealth of experience to his students. His performance and leadership background includes work with the East Texas Symphonic Band, Frontier Drum & Bugle Corps, Liberal Municipal Band, Southwest Symphony, and numerous other ensembles.
Through his passion for music and commitment to educational excellence, Mr. Smiddy strives to help students develop strong musicianship, disciplined practice habits, and the confidence needed to succeed both on and off the stage.
Bio coming
Bio coming soon.
Services
Battery Camp
Bring Professional Drumline Instruction to Your School
Give your battery percussionists the focused training they need without the expense of traveling to a week-long camp.
Liberal Drum Academy offers on-site battery camps tailored to the needs of your program. Whether you're building fundamentals, preparing for marching season, developing leadership within your section, or refining technique and musicality, we can provide expert instruction directly at your school.
Our staff works with students and directors to strengthen:
• Technique and fundamentals
• Timing and ensemble cohesion
• Music interpretation and performance quality
• Leadership development
• Audition and placement preparation
• Marching percussion-specific skills
Every camp is customized to fit your program's goals, schedule, and budget.
Invest in your students without leaving town. Contact us to discuss an on-site battery camp for your school.
Percussion Equipment
Maintenance & Repair
Keep Your Equipment Performing Its Best
Small equipment issues can quickly become major expenses if left unaddressed. We provide on-site evaluation, maintenance, and light repair services for school percussion equipment.
Common services include:
• Timpani pedal adjustments and troubleshooting
• Keyboard percussion frame stabilization and hardware repairs
• Cymbal stand, snare stand, and percussion hardware maintenance
• Chime and accessory percussion inspection
• General percussion inventory assessment
• Recommendations for repair, replacement, or restoration
Not every instrument needs to be sent to a repair shop. In many cases, problems can be identified and corrected on-site, saving your program time and money.
Have percussion equipment that's been sitting in storage or isn't functioning properly? Contact us for a consultation and let us help you get it back into service.
CONTACT US
Do you want to know more about the Liberal Drum Academy?
Do you have questions about registration for classes?
Do you want to receive up to date information?
Fill out the form or contact us at the information provided below.
lsdrumacademy@gmail.com
+1 (620) 805-1217