Pacific Crest is a recognized leader in the marching arts community. We are here today because of supporters like you. We will survive these harsh times, and we are eager to build on 2019’s historic success.
In short: thanks to you, we are doing well.
We Created a New Program
When the season was cancelled in March, we pivoted within two months to create an online education platform called Virtual Studio, which began offering private lessons and master classes in May.
We enrolled 116 students in our student leadership “camp” last June, and our instructors have taught more than 345 private lessons! We also secured funding from City National Bank, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Southern California Gas Company, and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation. A number of our students were able to participate at no cost thanks to this funding.
Even without a drum corps, we were committed to serving students.
Your support provided us time to develop this new program and deliver on our mission.
Recently, we expanded Virtual Studio to include an online library of 70+ lessons, including video demonstrations, exercises, play-alongs, and pre-recorded master classes. For a modest subscription fee, individuals get unlimited access to all this content through next July (even as we add more to it)!
Again, we were able to do all this because of you.
The Donations Rolled In
Last spring we told you that we were relying on donations to survive the year — that our goal was to raise $210,000. Well… we are proud to report we topped that goal. And the donations keeping rolling in!
You helped us survive our most challenging period in 27 years.
And your support also gave us time to apply for assistance from the SBA. In fact, we were awarded funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, and we received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
We refunded our 2020 performers, and paid our instructors and designers for their preseason work.
You made all this possible. We simply could not have done any of it without you.
Taking a Break from Giving Tuesday
You may know of Giving Tuesday as the global day of giving that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Nonprofits around the World use Giving Tuesday to raise funds for their programs. Pacific Crest has participated since 2015.
But… we have already enjoyed six months of giving thanks to you, and have decided to take a break from Giving Tuesday this year.
Plans for 2021
Our 2021 auditions went live on November 5th. As you can guess, our audition experience is virtual this year. As for the 2021 season, we are trying to manage uncertainty with some level of certainty.
So…we are CERTAIN that we are going to everything possible for Pacific Crest to perform next summer.
Drum Corps International should have more clarity by January about whether and what type of tour is possible. We will determine our course of action around that time, as well. If we cannot produce a large ensemble due to restrictions, we will experiment with other creative performance opportunities.
But again… we will do something!
Because of You…
We survived 2020.
We created a new virtual education program.
And we enjoy the privilege of planning for our future.
We owe all this to your support, to your belief in our mission, and to your love for our organization.
We wish you all the best during the holidays. Stay safe and thank you again!
