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Below is the link for the Orlando screening of Scouts Honor: Inside A Marching Brother Hood. http://gathr.us/screening/11124

Phoenix Drum and Bugle Corps is currently looking for additional staff in all areas. If you have any interest in volunteering or being a member of the staff, please send an email to info@fmainc.org. Please let us know what areas are your expertise and what you are interested in doing. Thanks, http://www.phoenixcorps.org/

First, a brief history lesson: On December 1, 1996, paperwork was filed in the State of Florida to create Heat Wave of Orlando Drum & Bugle Corps, Inc., the first DCA corps to come out of the Sunshine State. Heat Wave would go on to win or share the DCA Class A Championship twice. Skip ahead to 2009, when a change of direction led to a NEW name, Sun Devils, Inc. The Sun Devils took a more “serious” approach to programming than their fun-loving Florida-themed predecessors. Through a series of ups and downs, the Sun Devils would ultimately go on to become DCA Class A Finalists twice amid numerous DCA South Class A titles. Following the 2014 DCA season, there were philosophical differences that led to a split between the Sun Devils’ staff and administration. On October 1, 2014, the Board of Sun Devils, Inc. voted to change the name to Florida Marching Arts, Inc. The name change was part of a marketing decision based on the fact that we support more than one performing unit. On October 7, 2014, a group of former Sun Devils staff members founded Solaris Performing Arts, Inc. as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Florida. You can read more about them here: http://www.solarisdrumcorps.org. To be clear, these are two separate groups operated by two separate organizations. So then you may be asking yourself, “well what happens to the Sun Devils?” That’s a very important question. There was much discussion on this topic and it was decided that, given recent events, it would be wise to forego competition in 2015 in order to firm up the corps’ infrastructure and ensure its long-term success. That said, the group is not experiencing financial woes (as is often the case in drum corps today). Additionally, the team in place has already made huge strides in repairing and/or replacing aging equipment and resources. And to be clear, the group is FAR from “inactive.” In fact, the group will be rehearsing in coming months in order to prepare for summer performances as well as solidify the nucleus that will help bring the corps BACK to competition in 2016 and beyond. Our new website is being developed at this time, but you can look for updates periodically athttp://sundevilspag.org. Moving forward, Florida Marching Arts, Inc. endeavors to create and foster more performance opportunities in the State of Florida. Our mission is first and foremost, to give back to the community by providing a positive atmosphere in which our young people receive an education in the performing arts and develop life-enriching character traits such as discipline, teamwork, integrity, leadership, dedication, and good citizenship. Our newest program offering is called PHOENIX. PHOENIX is a mixed ensemble that will perform in WGI’s Winter Winds circuit and possibly DCI’s new SoundSport division. By now you may be asking yourself, “so what is WGI Winds?” Glad you asked! “Continuing the Sport of the Arts tradition of performance and competition, WGI Winds is a unique form of the marching music activity. In fact, winds doesn’t mean “winds only.” Groups can include anything found in a concert band or orchestra as well as color guard and percussion performers. Winds is a natural extension of the WGI organization and will complete WGI’s support of the total band program.” What this means, is a unique and exciting performance opportunity that is open to literally EVERYONE! PHOENIX is open to all ages, ability levels, and instrumentation. Anyone with a great attitude and a desire to participate is welcome. The first organizational meeting for PHOENIX is scheduled for January 17th. More information will be available at their website: http://www.phoenixcorps.org/ PHOENIX is currently looking for staff and member applicants for their 2015 campaign. This first exploration of a new circuit(s) will start small – staying primarily local – with minimal fees and expenses. This is an excellent opportunity for those who have always wanted to check out the activity to “get their feet wet” so-to-speak without the exorbitant financial commitment normally associated with drum corps today. Please go to our website for more information on how you can become a performer or staff member today! We would be remiss if we did not offer a mention of our sister organization – Impact Drum & Bugle Corps. Impact has been performing at DCA’s mini corps championships and entertaining audiences all over for the past three seasons. The corps has shifted gears a bit this year with regards to programming and has taken on a very challenging but extremely fun and modern book. Impact welcomes all players ages 18 and up. You can find out more about Impact here: http://www.impactoforlando.org. In addition to the groups mentioned above, there are many more WGI Winds, DCI SoundSport, and other groups in development all over the state – probably the most exciting of which is the return of junior corps to the Sunshine State! Our friends at Heat Wave of Florida are bringing DCI-aged drum corps back to Florida. You can check them out here:http://www.heatwaveofflorida.com. In summary, drum corps/the marching arts are not dead in Florida. In fact, they’re very much alive AND GROWING! If you’ve read this far, we want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read and understand what has been going on. We appreciate your patience while we went “silent.” During any transition period emotions and tensions understandably tend to run high. It was our intent to stay quiet until emotions calmed and details were worked out and ready to share. We invite you to follow ALL the goings on at Florida Marching Arts, Inc. by visiting our website at http://www.fmainc.org. From there you can find information on all of our performing units, make a donation, learn more about joining, volunteer, or inquire about joining our staff. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continued support. We’ll see you on the 50. Florida Marching Arts, Inc. is the longest running active drum corps organization in the State of Florida. Florida Marching Arts, Inc. is incorporated in the State of Florida and is registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501©3 not-for-profit corporation, governed by a board of directors.

I thought that schedule was a little bogus myself. Why do the Mini-Corps start so late?

Anyone want to make predictions?

Maybe I'm stuck in the past but I would love to see Star of Indiana again. Look at the quality and level of musicianship of Star United...I'm sure if SOI came back there would be plenty of people willing to get involved. If you look around drum corps there are alum everywhere with successful music careers that would probably be interested in a rebirth of their corps. If it happened I'm certain it would be all out...full force and they'd be ready to produce quality...that's what they did before and that's the only way they know how to do it. One can dream....can't he?........

Thanks, most of that is what I speculated. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Exciting news and next year should be interesting. Best of luck to Madison...always one of my favorites! I've been away from the activity for a while(most of the 2000's) can someone explain what happened to them and why they started hovering around the bottom 12?

WOW, one more reason to still love drum corps. Way to go MalletMom...classy. Maybe there is hope in America.

I have noticed...There are a few Star United videos on youtube and wow...there is some serious talent there.

Thanks!!! Although I sort of miss-spoke...I should have put Mini-Corps. Not an all out All-Age Corps...my fault. this is all kinda new to me.

I've always been a DCI fan and know nothing of DCA. I just started back playing a few months ago and I'm about to join an All-Age Drum and Bugle Corps in my area. I wanted to know from you veterans what to expect and what my approach should be. Any good advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!

Wow...How did I miss this? I have been away from the activity for a while...oh well, next. So how were the later versions? If you know...

Has anyone ever done Carl Orff's Carmina Burana? I've loved it for so long....well, until people started using "O Fortuna" in every fight scene...Curious if anyone has performed it.

In the Bluecoat's audition material it states that they only use Karl Hammond Custom Design Mouthpieces.