Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps

Please see the following list of frequently asked questions for more information. If you have any questions that are not answered below, please email us at j.delosreyes@me.com.

A. Simple, there are two ways to become a member. First, you can pre-register by sending an email to j.delosreyes@me.com with your name, age, school, and any related dance and color guard experience you have. Second, attend the first rehearsal session on November 1 and register in person.

A: We are pleased and honored to be able to hold our rehearsals at the Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove. This is a brand new high school with a state-of-the-art facility. The address is 9850 Lotz Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757, which is behind the Elk Grove Auto Mall, just off of Highway 99 and Elk Grove Boulevard.

• From Highway 99 - Exit west on Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn left on Big Horn Blvd., then left on Lotz Parkway. School will be on the right.
  From Interstate 5 - Exit east on Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn right on Big Horn Blvd., then left on Lotz Parkway. School will be on the right.

A: The Mandarins Guard Academy costs $50 to join for all sessions. We are keeping the cost as low as possible to allow as many area color guard performs as possible to join. This nominal fee covers the cost for the rehearsal location.

A: While it is not a requirement to be in a high school or college band, we highly recommend that you be a member of your school band. The MGA is intended to be fully complementary and supportive of your school color guard program.

A: Again, the MGA is intended to be fully compementary and supportive of your school color guard program. High school students that have winter guard programs will not be allowed to participate with the Exhibition Guard regardless of their intent to perform with their high school winter guard.

A: The MGA will provide all equipment for technical instruction. Only members of the Exhibition Guard will be allowed to check out equipment.

A: No, there are no auditions. You simply need to attend one of the first MBA sessions, register and pay the dues.

A: Students from the MGA will be selected to participate in the Mandarins Exhibition Guard.

A: The MGA meets once a month on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00PM.

A: While attending all rehearsals is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. During each session we will cover different areas of technique. If you miss a rehearsal session you will miss that aspect of technique. If you must miss a rehearsal for some reason, please email us at j.delosreyes@me.com

A. Yes, you can still join. Simply come out to the next rehearsal and we will find a way of fitting you into the MGA.

A: There are no performances associated with the MGA. The Mandarins Exhibition Guard, an extension of the MGA will be performing at local winter guard shows during the season. A tentative schedule for the group is posted above.

A: Depending on your color guard rehearsal schedule the MGA may conflict with it. Remember that the MGA is meant to support your local color guard program; practices for your color guard will come first.

A: Participants need to bring water and dress in blacks. Most importantly bring a positive attitude to learn and a lot of energy to play!

A: All rehearsals will be in the Elk Grove/Sacramento Area. Travel will be required on show weekends for the Exhibition Guard.

A: We are pleased to have on staff Jhay, Jen, and Jackie, the color guard techs from the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, along with Greg and George from the design team.

A: Our rehearsals will be a fast paced two hour session so please make sure you are early to each session. Registration for students not with the Guard Academy will be at the conclusion of the two hour session.

A: Each MGA session will be broken down into two parts, movement and equipment. The first hour of instruction will be dedicated to movement technique. The second hour will be dedicated to equipment (flag, rifle, saber). Each session will focus on one piece of equipment.

A: The MGA is intended to help strengthen local color guard programs. The MGA provides school guard directors the opportunity to send their students to the Academy where the students will focus on these specific color guard techniques. Our hope is that the students will return to their color guard programs with a deeper understanding and appreciation for what it takes to be a proficient color guard performer.

A: While the MGA is intended for area high school and college level musicians, we will consider 8th graders who have the maturity to learn at a high school level.

A: No, while the MGA is sponsored in part by the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, it is a separate entity. The Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps is a marching organization consisting of a full brass line, percussion line and the color guard. The Corps tours throughout the United States during the summer and is a sanctioned World Class Drum and Bugle Corps through Drum Corps International. For more information see the website Mandarins.org

A: Yes. The techniques that are taught in the guard academy are consistent with those taught in the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. Demonstrating these proficiencies is part of the Mandarins audition process. Membership in the MGA, however, is not a guarantee of acceptance into the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps.

A: For any additional information that is not mentioned here, please contact us at j.delosreyes@me.com

We look forward to seeing you at the first rehearsal on November 1, 2009!!!