Hello MEPA Percussion Unit Directors
We are excited to announce that we have entered in to an agreement with Yamaha Corporation of America. They are now a corporate sponsor of MEPA. This brings with it benefits for MEPA:
1.) They are donating a custom lacquer snare drum that will be raffled at Percussion Circuit Championships in March. This drum was recently used by the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Raffle tickets will be sold at all shows where MEPA T-shirts are sold. This will include circuit championships so all of our member units will have the opportunity to enter. We will post a picture of the drum as soon as it arrives.
2.) Yamaha is going to provide one of their clinicians at the next MEPA Educational Event most likely taking place in December of next year.
3.) An ongoing relationship where Yamaha is excited to assist MEPA in furthering the educational offerings for all of our members.
Have your unit members purchased their MEPA T-shirt yet? The demand for these shirts has been much higher than expected and because of it I have added some other colors and styles to the offering. The more shirts we sell, the more your circuit benefits so please continue to help us publicize our 2009 association shirts. I’m still taking mail orders and as of now, my plan is to sell shirts at the following shows assuming each show sponsor grants permission: Centerville, Kettering, (one northern show) and circuit championships.
And finally, during the week of WGI Percussion Championships, I am bringing Scott Koter, program coordinator for The Cavaliers and many of the best marching ensembles in America, to Dayton to conduct a show design clinic. You may have not heard of Scott but if you are serious about designing an award winning marching band, percussion ensemble, or winter guard show, you need to come to Dayton on Saturday, April 18th in the morning. Interestingly, a judge at the Lebanon show today works in the same school district as Scott and got me even more excited about hearing him speak. If you have questions about this, please e-mail me at tim.parker@ketteringschools.org. More information will soon be coming to you.
Best of luck as you continue providing life changing opportunities to young people throughout Ohio!
Tim Parker
MEPA Percussion Representative
