Who We Are

The Sacramento Mandarins’ mission statement is “Transforming Lives Through Performing Arts”, and this statement continues to drive the progress of our organization. We celebrate and embrace diversity in all of its forms including gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and socio-economic diversity. We believe that everyone brings their individual identity AND unites to create amazing musical ensembles.

In 1963, during a time of heightened discrimination, the Sacramento Mandarins (then Ye Wah) was formed to provide Chinese-American youth with a performing arts activity. As the world changed, so did the Mandarins, first opening up to members of Asian descent and now to people of all backgrounds. Today, we are proud to be one of the most inclusive and diverse organizations in the activity.

The Mandarins provide the ideal balance of education, family values, personal time, and the blending of Asian traditions with drum corps. We are committed to the growth of the lives of young people through youth development and performance excellence while providing enjoyment for the Sacramento community and audiences worldwide.

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The Mandarins have been awarded the GuideStar Platinum Seal — the highest level of recognition for organizations that have created and shared progress and results about their mission.

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Recent honors and awards of distinction: Drum Corps International Division III World Champions in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999; Drum Corps International Division II World Champions in 2001; Drum Corps International Pacific Division III Champions in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, and DCI Pacific Division II California State Champions in 2000 and 2001; Drum Corps International Division I Semifinalist in 2001, 2005, and 2006; Drum Corps International World Class Quarterfinalist in 2008-2010; Drum Corps International World Class Semifinalist in 2011-2017; and Drum Corps International World Class Finalist in 2018, 2019, and 2022. Additionally, the Mandarins are two-time recipients of the prestigious Spirit of Disney Award, signifying outstanding achievement and excellence in educational and entertainment programs for youth. The Mandarins are in the Top 10 of all drum and bugle corps worldwide.

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President and CEO is Dr. Dan Fong.

Corps Director is JW Koester.