It’s been a really eventful 2024 for the Mandarins! Thank you for all the wonderful support for all of our programs!
Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps
The Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps once again were a crowd favorite this summer performing Vieux Carré. We placed seventh at the Drum Corps International Championships in Indianapolis and were champions in the hearts of many Fandarins nationwide. We’re so proud of the members, design team, instructional staff, support staff, media team, and administrative staff for all the effort it takes to put a drum corps on the field and take them on the 10K mile voyage. Plus, our souvenir sales sold a record amount of merchandise! Thank you to our corps director JW Koester, for assembling and managing the incredible team it takes for a touring, world-class drum corps.
Mandarins Music Academy (MMA)
The Mandarins Music Academy (MMA) completed our second complete school year teaching elementary band in the Elk Grove Unified School District. Director Martin Reid and Assistant Director Matt Siek manage the curriculum, music directors, and instrument distribution to over 1200 students at 44 schools, including the Jessie Baker School for special needs students.
We had a rousing Honor Band concert in April at Cosumnes Oaks High School with over 120 high-achieving musicians performing for a packed gym of family and friends. It’s extremely rewarding to see our mission coming true by witnessing all the lives being transformed through performing arts. We are seeing the impact of the MMA with a larger freshman class in the marching bands in the high schools.
Plans are being made to conduct a summer music camp for home-schooled students who would then transition to band classes full-time during the Fall for elementary, middle, and high school. This has been a dream project for many years.
Mandarins Event Center (MEC)
Due to the effects of the COVID restrictions and an aging population, we were forced to make the difficult decision to close our Bingo after almost 40 years. However, we still provide Bingo in the Mandarins Event Center (MEC) by leasing the space to Blue Devils Bingo. They’ve been running their games since October.
Joe Fong, Joseph Khalifa, and Deirdre Fitzgerald have been working on a marketing plan and collateral for leasing space in the MEC for events and rehearsals. We are available for banquets, non-profit fundraisers, corporate meetings, large and small ensemble rehearsals, and recitals. For more information, go to www.mandarins.org/mec
Mandarins Advisory Board (AB)
The newly-formed Mandarins Advisory Board is a committee of local business leaders, education administrators, philanthropists, non-profit administrators, government officials, and other highly esteemed supporters. Their primary focus is to evaluate our current programs and processes, and then to advise a fresh approach for the Mandarins’ processes. It’s valuable to have opinions and expert advice from outside voices. Coordinated by Board member Ron Lam, the AB has had several meetings and has made many suggestions on how to make the Mandarins more viable.
Pathways
Chris Cyr continues to instruct incarcerated youth in the Sacramento County Youth Detention Center. The positive impact of this program on their lives is immeasurable. Thank you for your continued dedication, Chris!
Immortal Winds (IW)
The IW competed in the Northern California Band Association and the Northern California Percussion Alliance in our second year of competing. Rhapsody in Purple was well-received by fans and judges. Many thanks to Program Coordinator Chris Langton and his team for providing a quality program for students in the local region around Sacramento. Auditions have been held for our third season and our first show is February 22. Watch for more details coming soon!
Mandarins Entertainment (ME)
Mandarins Entertainment continues to provide exciting, heart-pounding performances in the NorCal region. The Clementine Brass, a new addition to ME, uses brass and woodwinds to bring jazz and pop tunes to life with style! Directors Demetrius Riley and Tyler Allin can book your next ME gig!
DCI Capital Classic
Over 3000 fans assembled at Sacramento City College’s Hughes Stadium for the DCI Capital Classic on July 7, 2024. This was one of our largest crowds ever, and they braved the heat to enjoy ten drum corps from the Western United States. Stay tuned for more details on the 2025 DCI Capital Classic.
We are grateful for the generous $70K matching donation for the End-of-Year Giving Campaign. Your contribution will be doubled, so make your tax-deductible donation before December 31. If you have to make an RMD donation or wish to make a Legacy Gift, contact me to make arrangements for your tax deductions. Dan.fong@mandarins.org.
Wishing you the best in the new year!
Dan Fong
President and CEO
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