• The Mid-Atlantic Arts Network for Youth (MANY) is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide opportunities for youth to participate in drum and bugle corps activities as an extraordinary character building activity focused on music and marching arts.

    MANY is anchored in the greater     Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA), with its surrounding suburbs and Mid-Atlantic states.  MANY seeks to unlock the potential of a highly-desirable demographic audience base in the Washington DC area, comprised of dedicated students who share an uncommon desire to achieve excellence at extraordinary levels.

    A significant number of Drum and Bugle Corps alumni reside in the greater WMA.  Yet, the WMA does not have any significant Drum and Bugle Corps activity beyond what is provided by the military, such as "The Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps to serve as an inspiration for youth.
         
    MANY GOALS

    1.    Raise the level of interest in Drum and Bugle Corps
            activities in the Washington DC area
    2.    Leverage the resources of the Washington Metropolitan
            Area to provide resources for developing Drum and
            Bugle Corps activities
    3.    Improve the quality and participation in regional high
            school bands
    4.    Enable the home-basing of a top-tier competitive Drum
            and Bugle Corps in the greater Washington DC area.

    ORGANIZATION

    MANY is incorporated in the State of Virginia as a Non-Profit Corporation.  In addition, MANY is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization with the mission to provide educational opportunities for youth enrichment and development through participation in performing arts.

    LEADERSHIP

    MANY is lead by a Board of Directors who have collective experience in all aspects of Drum and Bugle Corps.

    *Kenn  Phillips, Chairman
  • Dan Augustine, Vice Chairman
  • Joyce McVey, Secretary
  • Derek Sangster, Treasurer
  • Mark Meier
  • Robert Oliveri Jr.
  • Mike Mountain

    PROMOTING YOUTH ACTIVITIES

    The greater Washington DC area has a fair number of youth activities to help our young people develop the skills needed to become a productive adult.  Participation in a Drum and Bugle Corps promotes a unique combination of these skills in a way not currently applied in the area.  These skills include:
    •    Teamwork
    •    Discipline
    •    Personal responsibility
    •    Mental and physical health
    •    Time management
    •    Music and Arts skills
    •    Perseverance
    •    Athleticism
    •    Networking

    WHAT IS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS?

    A Drum and Bugle Corps is an independent youth organization that includes youth members under the age of 22.  Some members play horns or percussion instruments, while others spin flags, rifles, sabers all while conducting a marching routine.  Every move is choreographed.  This activity demands intense physical and mental effort, drawn from a unique combination of skills.

    Drum and bugle corps is a phenomenal step up from traditional marching bands.  And stem from a rich American military history, separate from other marching musical activities. Beginning after World War I through the 1970s, Drum and Bugle Corps competitions were often sponsored by the VFW and the American Legion.  By the late 1960s, many corps wanted more creative freedom and better financial compensation than was offered by the traditional sponsors.

    Today, the influence of Drum Corps extends deeply into high school and college marching band programs, dance and drill teams and competitive color guards.  Each year, tens of thousands of high school and college students are stimulated by the extraordinary young men and women performing in Drum Corps events throughout the country.  The incredible achievements of today's corps are a direct result of the dedication of thousands of educators to the enrichment of the lives of young people through music and the performing arts.  Many of today's performers will become the next generation of teachers, helping to instill in their students a "commitment to excellence" of their own.

    The top-tier competitive drum corps programs are often far more complex and more professional than marching bands, as members in full-time touring corps have no distractions outside of corps during the season and membership is achieved only through highly competitive auditions.

    CHALLENGES

    Supporting a Drum and Bugle Corps presents significant challenges.  Funds must be raised, equipment acquired, shows developed, students recruited, and tours planned.  Rising fuel and insurance costs, staff salaries, and stiff competition for charitable donations can drive expenses to as high as $500,000 to $1 million annually.  Community support and volunteers services are needed to assist in a variety of tasks ranging from fundraising and ticket sales to facility usage and transportation.

    The Washington DC area can become a source of funding and support, if approached in a positive and constructive manner.  In addition, Washington is host of numerous corporate headquarters who frequently sponsor organizations and make donations to struggling youth organizations.  

    WHAT WE NEED:

    •    Resources
    •    Monetary Contributions
    •    Volunteers
    •    Donations in Kind
    •    Event Promoters
    •    Good Ideas