Spring has sprung and that means that we are one month closer to seeing competitive drum corps this summer. Once the WGI (Winter Guard International) color guard and percussion championships are over (April 9th color guard, April 23rd percussion), it’s all about the drum corps. Our April camp is the weekend of April 29, 30, and May 1 and we will have the full corps together for the first time this year. That will be one busy weekend, as the brass and percussion sections will play show music together, the color guard will set their final membership spots, final measurements of uniforms and costumes will be completed, and there will be lots of marching and movement taking place. The show design is progressing quite nicely, as the brass book is 90% complete, the percussion book is 60% complete, and the visual book is 40% complete. The 2022 show announcement is just around the corner, so stay tuned via our various social media sites for that exciting news! Tour planning continues, and yes, it has been challenging, as many of the California schools are still being very conservative in opening to outside groups. We will find housing, of that I have no doubt, but that doesn’t make it any easier for Keith Sanpei, corps tour director. Our national tour housing is coming along much better, as other states have eased their restrictions a little more quickly. As you can tell, there is never a dull moment in the land of Mandarins drum corps. Parents – I want you to seriously think about joining the corps for a week during spring training and volunteering to work on Mushu, our fully self-contained mobile kitchen. Mushu and team provide 800 meals a day to keep the drum corps (including your son/daughter) fueled up, so they can be their best on and off the field! Yes, it is hard work, and yes, it is also very rewarding work. You get to meet other parents and a lot of grateful members and staff (about 175 on average). Alumni – This is also your opportunity to give back to the drum corps that helped shape who you are as a person. What a cool way to connect with the “next” generation of your favorite drum corps. Parents, Alumni, and Fandarins – If you are interested in helping out, please contact Tyler Allin, food services manager (tyler.allin@mandarins.org) or Keith Sanpei (tourdirector@mandarins.org) to get more information and to get on the schedule. I think that’s enough for now. So remember – Mandarins 2022, It’s Live, It’s Real, It’s Now! Ciao, JW Corps Director
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