Sacramento, CA United States
Founded: 1963
CORPS Photos
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]
Highest Score 52.450
Final show in DCX Archives July 25, 1970 Oriental Odyssey by LA Chinese Los Angeles CA placed 2 with a score of 52.450
Highest Score 36.550
Final show in DCX Archives July 21, 1974 Sacramento CA placed 3 with a score of 36.550
Highest Score 44.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 30, 1975 Drum Corps West Prelims Salem OR placed 13 with a score of 44.000
Highest Score 43.550
Final show in DCX Archives August 27, 1976 Drum Corps West Prelims Renton WA placed 15 with a score of 43.550
Highest Score 33.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 6, 1977 Los Angeles CA placed 9 with a score of 33.500
Highest Score 43.250
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1978 DCI World Championships - Class A and All Girl Prelims Boulder CO placed 12 with a score of 43.250
Highest Score 43.750
Final show in DCX Archives July 24, 1981 Sacramento CA placed 7 with a score of 43.750
Highest Score 18.200
Final show in DCX Archives June 16, 1984 Concord CA placed 6 with a score of 18.200
Highest Score 43.300
Final show in DCX Archives July 18, 1985 Fresno CA placed 6 with a score of 43.300
Highest Score 64.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 1986 DCI World Championships Class A60 Prelims Madison WI placed 10 with a score of 64.800
Highest Score 85.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 1987 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Madison WI placed 20 with a score of 61.900
Highest Score 83.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1988 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Kansas City MO placed 19 with a score of 53.700
Highest Score 87.100
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1989 DCI World Championships Prelims Kansas City MO placed 18 with a score of 64.700
Highest Score 88.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1990 DCI World Championships Prelims Buffalo NY placed 19 with a score of 63.900
Highest Score 90.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 1991 DCI World Championships Class A/A60 Finals Dallas TX placed 2 with a score of 85.600
Highest Score 90.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 1992 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Madison WI placed 26 with a score of 67.800
Highest Score 92.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 19, 1993 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Jackson MS placed 26 with a score of 67.200
Highest Score 93.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1994 DCI World Championships Division II/III Finals Lowell MA placed 3 with a score of 90.800
Highest Score 92.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 1995 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Buffalo NY placed 22 with a score of 69.100
Highest Score 94.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1996 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Orlando FL placed 21 with a score of 69.300
Highest Score 94.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 14, 1997 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Orlando FL placed 20 with a score of 73.100
Highest Score 95.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 1998 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Orlando FL placed 23 with a score of 71.500
Highest Score 94.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 1999 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Madison WI placed 20 with a score of 73.900
Highest Score 94.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2000 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals College Park MD placed 18 with a score of 74.350
Highest Score 97.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2001 DCI Championships - DCI I Finals Buffalo NY
Highest Score 95.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 8, 2002 World Championships Quarterfinals Madison WI placed 19 with a score of 78.050
Highest Score 80.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 2003 DCI Championships - Div I Quarterfinals Orlando FL placed 18 with a score of 80.300
Highest Score 78.900
Final show in DCX Archives August 5, 2004 DCI World Championships - Div I Quarter Finals Denver CO placed 20 with a score of 77.750
Highest Score 79.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2005 DCI World Championships - Div I Semifinals Foxboro MA placed 17 with a score of 78.100
Highest Score 78.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2006 DCI World Championships - Division I Semi Finals Madison WI placed 17 with a score of 77.875
Highest Score 77.975
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2007 DCI World Championships Quarterfinals Pasadena CA placed 21 with a score of 75.200
Highest Score 79.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 2008 World Class Quarterfinals Bloomington IN placed 19 with a score of 77.925
Highest Score 79.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 6, 2009 DCI World Championships World Class Quarterfinals Indianapolis IN placed 18 with a score of 79.650
Highest Score 78.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2010 World Class Quarterfinals Indianapolis IN placed 19 with a score of 78.100
Highest Score 77.400
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2011 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 21 with a score of 75.700
Highest Score 71.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2012 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 23 with a score of 71.600
Highest Score 79.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2013 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 18 with a score of 79.750
Highest Score 78.150
Final show in DCX Archives August 8, 2014 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 21 with a score of 78.150
Highest Score 78.150
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 2015 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 20 with a score of 76.425
Highest Score 81.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2016 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 17 with a score of 81.200
Highest Score 0.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 6, 2017 Drums Along the Mohawk Rome NY
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 |
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