Budget
$1,000,000.00
Description
Music City Drum and Bugle Corps is a performing arts group made up of approximately 165 youth, ages 16-21. Brass players, percussionists and color guard dancers rehearse their field show throughout the winter and spring. Most performances take place during a six to eight week long summer tour across a large section of the United States. Music City Drum Corps is considered a "world class" level drum corps in associating the governing body, Drum Corps International. They also sanction and organize the summer tour in cooperation with other drum corps organizations from across the U.S. and other internationally based locations. Music City Drum Corps is also proud to perform in several parades throughout the year and during the tour, including parades to honor our nation on the Fourth of July.
Program Successes
Music City Drum Corps finished the 2023 DCI season in August, placing 17th during Championship Week in Indianapolis, Indiana receiving the highest score in the 15 year history of the organization topping the previous high score set during 2022's prior season.
The drum corps first performed during the 2009 season as an "Open Class" corps (considered the starting level) with approximately 45 performers. After several years of consistent growth and success at the lower level, Music City was promoted to "World Class" in 2018 and has consistently fielded a corps with approximately 150 members over the last several years.
Category
Youth Development  - Youth Development, General/Other 
Beneficiaries
General Public
Adolescents
Long-term Success
Music City Drum Corps will always be firmly based on providing the best membership experience possible. This includes enjoying the show they perform, the investment of time during rehearsals, the friendships / relationships gained during their time with Music City and interaction with staff, volunteers and others. Without a positive member experience Music City, like all other drum corps, will not be able to attract returning and new members year after year.
The long term success of Music City Drum Corps will also be measured in longevity, as dozens of like organizations have closed over the years for various reasons across the country. Having adequate finances, structured processes & procedures, experienced administration, design and instructional staff are all key components to making this happen.
Short-term Success
In the short term (next 1-3 years), ensuring we build on 2023's successes (membership numbers, experienced staff, smooth tour logistics), but also making changes as needed.
Staffing changes will be made as necessary to ensure the best programming and instruction for all participants.
Music City has also been emphasizing the need for wellness resources (e.g. medical personnel, athletic trainers, mental wellness). This will continue to be a focus area in order to support membership's needs.
Continually focusing on establishing a balanced financial plan that does not overextend the organization and supported by the Music City Youth in the Arts board of directors.
Program Success Monitored By
Measurable objectives include:
- Maximizing the number of participants year after year (approximately 500 youth auditions resulting in 150+ performing members)
- Making positive progress both on the field (e.g. measured by placement & scores at competitions, performing enjoyable shows for performers & the audience) and off the field (e.g. attracting volunteers, providing wellness professionals supporting performers, ensuring operations run as smoothly as possible)
- Maintaining a high satisfaction rating as measured during our annual survey with members. This is also an opportunity to gain input from participants on how Music City can continuously improve the program.
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee, National

Budget
$200,000.00
Description
Music City Education offers diverse music education opportunities for developing performance artists from a range of ages and skill levels. Classes are led by instructional experts and cover a wide range of music education and visual performance.
Program Successes
-Growth in the number of participants served every year (2009 with approximately 45 members, to 2023 where MCYA's programs served over 500 youth)
- Continually attracting world class design and instructional talent to lead MCYA's participants
- Overcoming fiscally challenging years (e.g. COVID, recessionary periods) to maintain a solid financial position
- Establishing relationships with like and support organizations to serve the youth population
Beneficiaries
General Public
Adolescents
Long-term Success
MCYA has identified four key areas of Priorities/Goals
People and Culture: improve participant recruitment and retention (expanding programming across the greater Nashville area closer to participants homes), increase the number of participants with whom we interact (exceed 1000 youth impacted every year)
Operational Effectiveness: develop a comprehensive Organizational Plan (manage personnel in support of organization needs), establish a comprehensive Facilities Plan (assess buy, borrow, lease strategies)
Program Development: design and implement a Marketing and Communications plan (ensure awareness and reach to interested participants)
Financial Health and Responsibility: increase financial reserves (create account structure/"rainy day" funding), implement a Risk Mitigation Plan to avoid and minimize risks
Short-term Success
MCYA has identified four key areas of Priorities/Goals
People and Culture: ensure the safety, health, and wellness of all participants (expand wellness resources: physical and mental wellness), advocate for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion (measured by participant, staff and volunteers)
Operational Effectiveness: improve consistency of ongoing operations (review & update processes & procedures as needed), consolidate and organize information for business continuity (implement a CRM tool to manage all organizational data collections)
Program Development: implement additional programming (performing groups, education curriculum), expand partnerships (schools, community groups, vendors, etc.)
Financial Health and Responsibility: maintain a balanced budget (ongoing monthly/annual review processes), cultivate sources of funding (e.g. grants, fundraising, contributions)
Program Success Monitored By
The day to day as well as long term direction of the organization will continually be driven by the Vision, Mission and Core Values of Music City Youth in the Arts, Inc.

Vision: Music City Youth in the Arts exists to positively transform young people's lives. (measured by participant surveys, one on one interactions, interviews with members, their parents, staff, etc.)
Mission: Music City Youth in the Arts provides accessible and experiential education in music and visual performance arts to young people through programming emphasizing camaraderie, well-being, and leadership development. (continually providing open access t
Core Values: BELONGING - welcoming diverse thoughts, backgrounds and preferences. OPENNESS - encouraging creativity and transparent communication. LEARNING - providing experiences that nurture abilities, thought and leadership. DETERMINED - providing positive, life changing opportunities for each participant
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee

Budget
$10,000.00
Description
Sunday Sessions offer a variety of classes in marching brass, percussion and color guard. Participation is structured to serve students from middle school to college age, primarily based in the greater Nashville area. The goal of these sessions is to provide youth with an opportunity to experience what the marching arts have to offer, regardless of skill level. No experience is needed, which makes Sunday Sessions a perfect way to get started or find out if a student is interested in auditioning to become a member of a drum corps, like Music City Drum Corps.
Program Successes
Several participants in past Sunday Sessions have been able to test their skills and determine whether they are ready to take steps toward becoming a drum corps member. Each Sunday Session participant is able to receive one on one constructive feedback on what skills needing improvement, exercises to aid them and suggestions on next steps (e.g. individual lessons, additional practice materials, etc.).
Students who never considered themselves "good enough" have been encouraged to "be bold" and attend the audition process for Music City Drum Corps (a world class performing group). They gained the confidence to do so by first attending the Sunday Sessions. Many have been offered the opportunity to become a member of the drum corps and been very successful at it.
Beneficiaries
Adolescents
Long-term Success
Partnering with other outside organizations (e.g. schools, community groups, parks & recreation) to offer similar programs in multiple locations is a longer term goal that will only serve more participants, closer to home.
Short-term Success
Music City Youth in the Arts, Inc will be expanding the program to offer more sessions throughout the year for all skill levels.
Program Success Monitored By
Initial goals for the program include:
- Reach more students in the Nashville and middle Tennessee area
- Provide an educational and enjoyable experience for each participant
- Develop team building, responsibility and leadership skillsets that can apply beyond the program in the participants outside activities
- Create opportunities for students to perform and showcase their talents to one another and others outside the program
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee