Mandarins

Other Names:Ye Wah

Sacramento, CA United States
Founded: 1963

Active Junior
World Class

Year	Theme/Songs
1978	(Repertoire not available)
1984	Legacy * Light On My Life * Loisita
1985	Ponteio * The Rainmaker * Dark Orchid
1986	Dark Orchid * The Rainmaker * Bossa Netti * Copacabana
1987	Storm at Sunup * Celebration Suite * Voyager * Sweet Cheryl Lynn
1988	The Sorcerer and the Latin * In Her Family * Celebration Suite * Voyager * More Than the Stars
1989	Dreams of the Sirens * In Her Family * Minuano (Six Eight) * The First Circle
1990	The First Circle * Letter From Home * Third Wind * Minuano (Six Eight) * Flight of the Falcon
1991	Let There Be Praise * In His Presence * So Much 2 Say * Miracles Can Happen * Make His Praise Glorious
1992	Joy * Jubilee Variations * Appalachian Spring * The Red Pony
1993	Episode Five for Brass * Adagio for Strings * Rocky Point Holiday
1994	Voices of a Planet - Black Forest * Dance of the Hunter's Fire * Minuano (Six Eight) * Bones * Udu Chant * Appalachian Morning
1995	Cinematic Impressions - Theme Song (from Speed) * The Wedding Night * A Perilous Direction * The Honeymoon (from Frankenstein) * The Creation (from Frankenstein)
1996	To the Edge - Taiko Drumming * Rhythm of the Saints * Cirque du Soleil
1997	Passport - Ghost Train (from Ghost Train Triptych) * The Ride (from Ghost Train Triptych) * At the Station (from Ghost Train Triptych) * The Motive Revolution (from Ghost Train Triptych) * Bullet (from Ghost Train Triptych)
1998	Dragon Dance - Tan Dun - Dragon Dance * Happy Valley * Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
1999	Transformations - Overture to Candide * Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) * Symphonic Suite (from On the Waterfront)
2000	Katachi--The Essence of Design - Heroes Symphony * V2 Schneider * Anakin's Theme (from Star Wars Episode I) * The Droid Battle (from Star Wars Episode I) * Panaka (from Star Wars Episode I) * Duel of the Fates (from Star Wars Episode I)
2001	Festival of Music - Music for a Festival * Variations on an Enigma * Mountain Song * Partita
2002	Year of the Dragon * Montage * A London Overture * Diversions
2003	Black Market Bazaar - Symphony No.2 in B Minor * Polovtsian Dances (from Prince Igor) * In the Steppes of Central Asia * Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah)
2004	Samurai - Red Warrior * Ouverture Solennelle * Tabidachi, Nishi he - Departure to the West (from Princess Mononoke) * Bullet * The Way of the Sword
2005	Loves Me... Loves Me Not... - Adagio from Spartacus * Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (variation 18) * Vibraphonissimo * Nuevo Tango * Symphonic Dances Mvt III
2006	Rhythm Nation - Martillo * Egyptian Danza * Back Home * Din Daa Daa * Rhythm Nation * Clapping Music * Episode - Prelude * Tell it All * The Way Up
2007	Dragon Dance - Tea in Chinese Camp * Call of the Mountain (from Gates of Gold) * Shadow and Light * Battle in the Forest (from House of Flying Daggers) * Jubiliation Dragon Dance
2008	River - Wind River * Cajun Folksong * Sunrise (from Grand Canyon Suite) * The Inferno (from The Divine Comedy)
2009	ABSOLUTE - Absolute Fanfare: Festive Overture * Absolute Passion: Libertango * Absolute Joy: Symphony No. 9, Mvt. 4 (Ode to Joy) * Joy * Christmas Anthem * Absolute Rhythm: Symphony No. 9, Mvt. 2 (Scherzo) * Absolute Velocity: Partita
2010	To Dream of Far Away Lands - Meetings Along the Edge * The Mountain of Fruit and Flowers * Samudra Manthan * Quiet * Ever So Lonely * Ambush from Ten Sides
2011	The Forty Thieves: An Ancient Tale of Spices, Toxins, and Perfumes - Octabones * Spices, Perfumes, and Toxins
2012	Prophecy - Ancient Prophecy from Prophecy * The Guardian from Prophecy * Sacrafice from Prophecy * Doomsday/New Dawn from Prophecy
2013	DESTINATION AMERICA: Journey of the Paper Sons - The Promise of a Better Life * Journey to America * Interrogation * Freedom
2014	UnbreakABLE: The Human Spirit is Limitless - Forged Steel (from UnbreakABLE) * Diamonds Under Pressure (from UnbreakABLE) * Struggle (from UnbreakABLE) * Courage and Inspiration (from UnbreakABLE)
2015	Resurrection - The Awakening (from Resurrection) * Warrior (from Resurrection) * he Dynasty of the Emperor (from Resurrection) * Forever in Stone (from Resurrection)
2016	Forbidden Forest - Devilish Love * Into the Forest * The Calling (Inspired by Devilish Love from Hemingway’s Garden of Eden) * The Demons Within * Metamorphosis

In February of 1963, Roy Wong, Frank Lim, Thomas Fong, and Yuk Fong met to discuss the possibility of forming a drum and bugle corps for youth in Sacramento, California. A letter to the Sacramento Chinese community one month later asked for support to establish a boys and girls drum and bugle corps. With the numerous festivities and parades taking place annually in Sacramento and neighboring locales, certainly the Chinese community, with all of its traditions and color, could participate in a way that would be uniquely its own. A youth drum and bugle corps, founders believed, would be a wonderful symbol of community interest, civic consciousness, and cultural pride.

The initial meeting was held on March 23, 1963, at the Sacramento Confucius Church. On that rainy day, eleven youngsters attended, along with a few parents and others interested in the project. The goals seemed hopeless, but this group went to work anyway, using reconditioned equipment and some instruments furnished by the Chinese Benevolent Association. Uniforms cost $5.85 each, consisting of short-sleeved white shirts, white continental trousers, black shoes, black Chinese hats, and a magenta sash. By July, 1963, the new 47-member Ye Wah Drum and Lyre Corps was ready for its first performance, the Oak Park 4th of July Parade.

By August, 1964, the corps had performed in over 17 parades and official receptions. A color guard, new in 1964, brought corps membership to about 75. Staff and parents held a successful fundraiser for the Ye Wah Drum and Bugle Corps, to keep pace with then-current trends and to encourage competition with other drum and bugle corps. By December, the Ye Wah was on its way to becoming the "new corps on the block."

Gradually, the corps improved in quality and became more highly regarded for fine performances. The color guard joined the California Color Guard Circuit in 1965, beginning competition with other units throughout the state. They became a worthy competitor, winning a circuit championship and numerous other awards.

The organization changed its name to the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in 1967. By now, the corps was well recognized in community performances, and was beginning to make itself known in drum and bugle competitions as well. The Mandarins continued to progress, performing in events throughout Northern California, and gave their first Southern California performance in 1970.

The Mandarins have performed around the world, representing the City of Sacramento and the State of California well. They played for Taiwan's 1972 and 1978 presidential inauguration ceremonies. In 1974, they marched in Hawaii's King Kamehameha Parade, and in 1975 began performing in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Their first "major league" competition was at the 1978 DCI Championships, in Denver, Colorado, where they finished 12th in Class A competition.

In 1983, corps director Ray Mar and his assistants Nanci Jan, Phyllis Mah, and Linda Fong began the Mandarins' transformation to a nationally recognized organization. Since that time, Ray has continued as director, earning the corps a reputation for consistent quality and excellence. Competitors and audiences admire the Mandarins, which has been featured in numerous newspaper and television spots. Other units point to the Mandarins as an example of a successful, well-run organization that has produced finalists in countless competitions. The corps has won numerous first place awards, including Drum Corps International Division III World Champions in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, and Division II in 2001, as well as Drum Corps International Member Corps in 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000. Additionally, the Mandarins are recipients of the prestigious Spirit Of Disney Award, signifying outstanding achievement and excellence in educational and entertainment programs for youth.

Since its inception, the Mandarins have been sponsored by an all-volunteer booster club of parents and supporters. In the early years, operating funds were raised through a combination of candy and bake sales, car washes, Monte Carlo nights, and food festivals. Bingo games began in 1984. Managed first by Harry Mark and later Janet Wong, the games have helped the Mandarins achieve the success they enjoy today.

As a youth program, the drum and bugle corps activity places second only to the national Scouting program. The Mandarins are the only American competitive junior drum and bugle corps with an Asian heritage, and ranked 16th of all corps nationally in 2001, the year that marked their 38th year of providing a wholesome, worthwhile activity for community youth. They finished 19th in 2002.

The Mandarins has endured and prospered through the years perhaps because of its philosophy: that the activity must be fun as well as rewarding, and that the focus must not be merely on winning but on each member doing his absolute best. Perhaps it is the ideal balance of personal time, education, and drum corps activity. Perhaps it is the blending of Asian traditions with drum corps. Whatever the reasons, the Mandarins have taught thousands of young men and women the values of leadership, discipline, and good citizenship, values which carry through to school, careers, and back to the community, with a true sense of purpose.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2003, the Mandarins fielded their largest corps ever at more than 90 marchers. Their first performance of the anniversary year was a televised appearance in the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, playing 'Russian Christmas Music.'

The Mandarins' 2003 show, 'Black Market Bazaar,' was their inaugural venture into Division I, where they finished in 18th place. The group's heavily percussive 2004 show, marched by about 68 members, was called 'Samurai.' Mandarins took 20th place in DCI Quarterfinals that year, despite the most spectacularly horned drum major costume seen in years.

[www.mandarins.org; DCW, 4/03, p.17; Dave Strickler]

Members (12)

Member Name	Section	Years Involved
Collins, Bill	Brass Caption Head	1981 to 1982
Garcia, John	Bassline	1997; 1999
Guerra, Andrea	Pit	2006
Khedekar, Shekhar	Snare	1999 to 2000
Lewis, Clayton	Pit	1998 to 1999
Sabado, Santiago	Trumpet / Drum Major	2006 to 2007
Shuman, Corey	Drumline- Quads	2009
Slabaugh, Tom	Staff	1991
Snyder, Dave	Soprano	1999 to 2001; 2003
Tickner, Kody	Contrabass	1999 to 2003
Yee, Mike	brass	1987 to 1993
von Behren, David	Cymbal instructor	2012