Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps

The Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps announce its 2013 production, “DESTINATION AMERICA: Journey of the Paper Sons.”

In China, as in many foreign lands, America was seen as the land of hope. People willingly left their families, risked dangerous travel, faced prejudice and harsh conditions, all for the promise of a better life.

After the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and subsequent fires that destroyed numerous public records, many Chinese claimed to have been born in San Francisco in order to gain American citizenship. Some families even reported having a child, often a son, although none ever existed. “

This opened up a ‘slot’ for a child with no family relationships to emigrate from China to America and have a family. The boys who immigrated in this way were referred to as ‘paper sons’ and our show tells the story of that adventure,” said the Design Coordinator and Brass Composer Key Poulan.

The Mandarins 2013 show is an ambitious project that brings this complex, emotional story to the drum corps field. The music will develop from Asian to American scores as the audience follows a “paper son” on his journey to the United States.

“The Mandarins were originally founded for the Sacramento Chinese-American community, so we are excited for the opportunity to share the history of our Chinese heritage with our audience,” said Program Facilitator Dr. Dan Fong.

The Sacramento Mandarins are the only American DCI competitive drum and bugle corps with an Asian heritage. The Mandarins blend Asian traditions with drum corps to teach thousands of young men and women the values of respect, leadership, discipline, and good citizenship with a true sense of purpose. 2013 marks the Sacramento Mandarins’ 50th year of providing a wholesome, worthwhile activity for community youth.

For more information about the story, contact Luis Sosa at (530) 409-5571 or email him at ldsosa@gmail.com. You may also download a copy of the press release here.

When your child decides to be part of a Drum Corps International corps, he/she is making a choice that requires a deep personal commitment that will require strength and focus. Facing new levels of responsibility, discipline and self-knowledge, they will gain values that will help them succeed in life.

Many of your questions about the Drum and Bugle Corps activity may be answered on an "Answers For Parents" page, on the Drum Corps International website.

Select Name for Email or Biography

RAYMOND MAR: Executive Director

JIM TABUCHI: Corps Director

Founded in 1963, the Sacramento Mandarins provide the ideal balance of education, family values, personal time, and the blending of Asian traditions with drum corps. The Mandarins are committed to the growth of the lives of young people through a commitment to youth development and performance excellence while providing enjoyment for the Sacramento community and audiences worldwide.

Recent honors and awards of distinction: two-time recipient of the prestigious Spirit of Disney award, signifying outstanding achievement in educational and entertainment programs for youth; Drum Corps International Division III World Champions in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999; Drum Corps International Division II World Champions in 2001; Drum Corps International Pacific Division III Champions in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, and DCI Pacific Division II California State Champions in 2000 and 2001; and Drum Corps International Division I Semifinalist in 2001, 2005, and 2006.

Look for the Mandarins to appear in a full slate of West Coast shows and a nationwide tour, including appearances at the DCI regionals in Palo Alto, San Antonio, and Atlanta on the way to Bloomington, Indiana for the DCI World Championships.

Executive Director is Mr. Ray Mar. Corps Director is Jim Tabuchi. The Mandarins are sponsored exclusively by their Parent Booster Club. For additional information about the corps, please contact Mandarins Public Relations.

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