Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps
 Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps logo | |
| Location | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|
| Division | World Class |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Director | JW Koester |
| Championship titles |
Division III 1987, '88, '92, '96-99 Division II 2001 |
| Uniform |
(2016) Deep purple fading to black cadet 3 golden chinese frogs Red sash Long purple sleeve and black gloves Black pants Black shoes Purple/Black shako w/black bill & plume Golden chain Golden Mandarins '\\\ on shako |
The Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class (formerly Division I) competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Sacramento, California, the Mandarins is a member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).[1]
History
The corps was founded in 1963 as the Ye Wah Drum and Lyre Corps, an activity for youth of Asian-American heritage. Roy Wong, Frank Lim, Thomas Fong, and Yuk Fong had originally approached the Sacramento Chinese community with the intent of starting a drum and bugle corps to perform at the many festivals and parades held each year in the Sacramento area. After struggling to get underway, the corps made its debut on the Fourth of July, 1963. A color guard was added to the corps in 1964 and became a competitive unit in 1965.
Entering the field as a competition corps, the group changed its name to the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in 1967. The corps competed only in Northern California until making its first trip to Southern California in 1970. Since that first trip, the corps has represented its community, Sacramento, and California around the country and abroad. Mandarins appeared in the Taiwan presidential inaugural ceremonies in 1972 and '78. In 1974, they went to Hawaii to march in the King Kamehameha Parade. In 1975, they made their first trip to the Pacific Northwest and Canada. They made their first appearance at the DCI World Championships at Denver in 1978.
In 1983, under the leadership of Executive Director Ray Mar, the corps began working toward becoming a highly successful competitive corps, and they have been regular competitors in DCI since 1986, winning Class A60/Division III championships in 1987, '88, '92, and '96 through '99 and the Division II title in 2001. Mandarins moved into Division I (now World Class) in 2003, and their highest finish has been 17th place, earned in 2005, 2006, and 2016.[2][3]
In 2014, the Mandarins and the Sacramento State Department of Music entered into a partnership to conduct the Mandarins Academies. These are performing arts camps held on the Sacramento State campus to help youth develop their skills in brass, percussion, woodwinds, and color guard performance, and in drum major conducting.[4]
Sponsorship
Since beginning in 1963, the Mandarins have been sponsored by a volunteer booster club of parents and supporters. The Mandarins of Sacramento, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) musical organization. As such, it has a Board of Directors, director, and staff assigned to carry out the organization's mission. JW Koester is the corps director, Jim Tabuchi is the Executive Director, and Raymond Mar is the organization's advisor and Director Emeritus.[5]
Show Summary (1984-2017)
Source:[6]
Gold background indicates DCI Championship; pale blue background indicates DCI Class Finalist; pale green background indicates DCI semifinalist.
| Year | Theme | Repertoire | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Legacy (Unknown) / Light on my Life by Bill Sharpe and Roger Odell / Loisita (Unknown) | --- | --- | |
| 1985 | Ponteio by Edú Lobo and Jose Carlos Capinam / Rainmaker by Earl Klugh / Dark Orchid by Sammy Nestico | --- | --- | |
| 1986 | Dark Orchid by Sammy Nestico / Rainmaker by Earl Klugh / Bossa Netti by Vic Cionetti / Copacabana by Barry Manilow, Jack Feldman, and Bruce Sussman | 64.80 | 10th A60 | |
| 1987 | Storm at Sun-Up by Gino Vannelli / Celebration Suite by Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea / Voyager by Derrick Graves, Dexter Wansel, George Howard, Herb Smith, and Steve Gold / Sweet Cheryl Lynn by Chuck Mangione | 85.30 61.90 | 1st A60 20th | |
| 1988 | The Sorcerer and the Latin by Vic Schoen / In Her Family by Pat Metheney / Celebration Suite by Chick Corea / Voyager by Derrick Graves, Dexter Wansel, George Howard, Herb Smith, and Steve Gold / More Than the Stars by Eddie Cole | 80.20 53.70 | 1st A60 19th | |
| 1989 | Dreams of the Sirens by Russ Freeman / In Her Family by Pat Metheney / Minuano & The First Circle by Pat Metheney and Lyle Mays | 87.10 64.70 | 3rd A60 18th | |
| 1990 | The First Circle by Pat Metheney and Lyle Mays / Letter From Home & Third Wind by Pat Methenry / Minuano & Flight of the Falcon by Pat Metheney and Lyle Mays | 88.20 63.90 | 2nd A60 19th | |
| 1991 | Let There Be Praise & In His Presence by Dick and Melodie Tunney / So Much 2 Say by Cedrick Dent and Mervyn Warren / Miracles can Happen by Brent Henderson and Craig Patty / Make His Praise Glorious by Bill and Robin Wolaver | 92.60 | 2nd A60 | |
| 1992 | Joy (Traditional) / Jubilee Variations, Appalachian Spring & The Red Pony by Aaron Copland | 89.50 90.00 67.80 | 1st DIII 4th DII/III 26th | |
| 1993 | Episode Five for Brass by Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen / Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber / Rocky Point Holiday by Ron Nelson | 92.60 67.20 | 2nd DII 26th | |
| 1994 | Voices of a Planet | Black Forest by Brian Slawson / Dance of the Hunter's Fire by Airto Moreira, Babatunde Olatunji, Flora Purim, Sikiru Adepoju & Vikku Vinayakram / Minuano by Pat Metheney and Lyle Mays / Bones by Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Babatunde Olatunji, and Flora Purim / Udu Chant by Sikiru Adepoju, Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, and Airto Moreira / Appalachian Morning by Paul Halley | 90.80 | 3rd DIII |
| 1995 | Cinematic Impressions | Theme Song (from Speed) by Howard Shore / The Wedding Night by Bernard Herrmann / A Perilous Direction and The Honeymoon & The Creation (from Frankenstein) by Patrick Doyle | 91.50 69.10 | 2nd DIII 22nd |
| 1996 | To the Edge | Taiko Drumming (Original) / Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon / Cirque du Soleil by René Dupéré | 94.00 69.30 | 1st DIII 21st |
| 1997 | Passport | Ghost Train (from The Ghost Train Triptych) / The Ride (from The Ghost Train) / At the Station & The Motive Revolution (from The Ghost Train Triptych) / Bullet (from The Ghost Train) All by Eric Whitacre | 94.80 73.10 | 1st DIII 20th |
| 1998 | Dragon Dance - Tan Dun | Dragon Dance by Tan Dun / Happy Valley by Vanessa-Mae / The Butterfly Lovers by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao | 93.80 71.50 | 1st DIII 23rd |
| 1999 | Transformations | Overture & Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) / Symphonic Suite (from On the Waterfront) All by Leonard Bernstein | 93.70 73.90 | 1st DIII 20th |
| 2000 | Katachi-- The Essence of Design | Heroes Symphony & V2 Schneider by Philip Glass / Anakin's Theme, The Droid Battle, Panaka & Duel of the Fates (from Star Wars Episode I) by John Williams | 94.30 74.35 | 2nd DII 18th |
| 2001 | Festival of Music | Music for a Festival, Variations on an Enigma, Mountain Song & Partita by Philip Sparke | 97.80 79.30 | 1st DII 16th |
| 2002 | Year of the Dragon | Year of the Dragon by Philip Sparke / Montage by Peter Graham / A London Overture & Diversions by Philip Sparke | 95.80 78.05 | 3rd DII 19th |
| 2003 | Black Market Bazaar | Symphony No.2 in B Minor, Polovetsian Dances (from Prince Igor) & In the Steppes of Central Asia by Alexander Borodin / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns | 80.30 | 18th |
| 2004 | Samurai | Red Warrior by Hans Zimmer / Ouverture Solennelle by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Tabidachi, Nishi he (Departure to the West) by Joe Hisaishi / Bullet by Wong / The Way of the Sword by Hans Zimmer | 77.75 | 20th |
| 2005 | Loves Me... Loves Me Not... | Adagio from Spartacus by Aram Khachaturian / Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (variation 18) by Sergei Rachmaninoff / Vibraphonissimo & Nuevo Tango by Astor Piazzolla / Symphonic Dances, Mvt. III by Sergei Rachmaninoff | 78.10 | 17th |
| 2006 | Rhythm Nation | Martillo by Luis Garay Percussion World / Egyptian Danza by Al Di Meola / Back Home by Nando Lauria / Din Daa Daa by George Kranz / Rhythm Nation by James Harris, Terry Lewis. and Janet Jackson / Clapping Music by Steve Reich / Episode - Prelude by Nando Lauria/ Tell it All & The Way Up by Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny | 77.875 | 17th |
| 2007 | Dragon Dance | Tea in Chinese Camp, Call of the Mountain (from Gates of Gold) & Shadow and Light by Joseph Curiale / Battle in the Forest (from House of Flying Daggers) by Shigeru Umebayashi / Jubiliation Dragon Dance by Tan Dun | 75.20 | 21st |
| 2008 | River | Wind River by Joseph Curiale / Cajun Folksong by Frank Ticheli / Sunrise (from Grand Canyon Suite) by Ferde Grofé / Inferno (from Divine Comedy) by Robert W. Smith | 77.925 | 19th |
| 2009 | ABSOLUTE | Absolute Fanfare: Festive Overture by Dmitri Shostakovich / Absolute Passion: Libertango by Astor Piazzola / Absolute Joy: Ode to Joy (from Ninth Symphony) by Ludwig van Beethoven / Joy (Traditional) / Christmas Anthem by Robert W. Smith / Absolute Rhythm & Absolute Velocity Partita by Phillip Sparke | 79.65 | 18th |
| 2010 | To Dream of Far Away Lands | Meetings Along the Edge by Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar / The Mountain of Fruit and Flowers by David Buckley / Samudra Manthan by Shivkumar Sharma / Quiet by Sheila Chandra, Steve Coe, and Martin Smith / Ever So Lonely by Steve Coe / Ambush from Ten Sides (Chinese traditional) | 78.10 | 19th |
| 2011 | The Forty Thieves: An Ancient Tale of Spices, Toxins, and Perfumes | Octabones by Adi Morag / Spices, Perfumes, and Toxins by Avner Dorman | 75.70 | 21st |
| 2012 | Prophecy | Prophecy by Key Poulan | 71.60 | 23rd |
| 2013 | DESTINATION AMERICA: Journey of the Paper Sons | The Promise of a Better Life, Journey to America, Interrogation, and Freedom by Key Poulan | 79.750 | 18th |
| 2014 | UnbreakABLE: The Human Spirit is Limitless | Original compositions by Key Poulan with Tony Nunez and Kevin Shaw | 78.150 | 21st |
| 2015 | RESURRECTION | I. The Awakening / II. Warrior / III. The Dynasty of the Emperor / IV. Forever in Stone by Key Poulan with Sean Womack and Mark Hunter | 76.425 | 20th |
| 2016 | Forbidden Forest | I. Into the Forest / II. The Calling (Inspired by Devilish Love from Hemingway’s Garden of Eden) / III. Our Demons Within / IV. Triumph of our Inner Self All by Key Poulan, Mark Hunter, & Sean Womack The Calling by Roger Julia | 81.200 | 17th |
| 2017 | Inside the Ink | Flow by Key Poulan, Darren Van Derpoel, and Bryan Nungaray Drip by Key Poulan, Darren Van Derpoel, and Bryan Nungaray Allure – The Sound of Silence by Paul Simon Ink – Crazy by Willie Nelson Inside the Ink by Key Poulan, Darren Van Derpoel, and Bryan Nungaray | 85.550 | 13th |
Traditions[7]
Quarter-finals Breakfast
The corps' breakfast on the morning of DCI quarter-finals is always fried rice and mandarin oranges.
The Mandarins "M"
The calligraphic representation of the "Mandarins M" is the corps's logo; it resembles '\\\. Veteran members frequently get an "M" tattoo as a memento of their membership in the corps.
Year of the Dragon
The Mandarins' corps song is a chorale section of Philip Sparke's Year of the Dragon, Part 2. After the last practice before quarterfinals, the hornline surrounds the age-outs and plays Year of the Dragon for them. Also, anytime someone in the corps has to leave during tour, the hornline circles up around him or her, and plays the piece for them. After the piece is played, generally, the corps then gives a huge group hug to the person that is leaving. Lastly, the piece is played to kick off the season and start tour.
Corps Necklace
Towards the end of the season, members of the hornline receive a necklace with a Chinese coin and a shako link on it. The silver shako link shows that the member marched before 2013, the corp's 50th anniversary. A golden link means that the member marched on or after 2013. The number of chains corresponds to the number of years marched.
Reno Crew Jackets
Due to the corp's close proximity to Reno, Nevada, the group that comes from Reno is known as the "Reno Crew". Traditionally, the crew attaches shako links to their member jackets. There seems to be no explanation as to why this tradition started, but the Reno Crew are the only members to do this.
References
- ↑ http://www.dci.org
- ↑ http://www.mandarins.org/about/history.html
- ↑ http://www.corpsreps.com/corpsreps.cfm?view=corpshist&corps=48&corpstype=Junior
- ↑ "Sacramento Mandarins Partner with Sac State". The Mandarins of Sacramento, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.mandarins.org/about/info.html
- ↑ "Song History for Mandarins". Maher & Associates, Inc./corpsreps.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ↑ http://drumcorpswiki.com/Mandarins