The world is changing minute by minute due to COVID-19. Events have been canceled, schools and businesses have been closed, and social distancing has been enacted in order to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus.
The marching arts industry has not been immune to these changes. As cases of the coronavirus escalated in Asia, Europe, and the United States, marching ensembles received the bad news that parades, WGI Sport of the Arts competitions, and college basketball games were being dropped off their calendars. With no dates to highlight, Halftime Magazine’s Regionals department has been omitted from this issue.
Halftime Magazine’s scheduled story on St. Patrick’s Day Parades needed to be updated several times. Now we bring you “A Different St. Patrick’s Day,” which highlights the history and pageantry of the events as well as how participating marching groups have rallied to look toward next year.
With the uncertainty of the future, now is a great time to “Weather Financial Storms.” From creating a rainy-day fund to leaning on each other, we provide advice from not-for-profit experts and performing groups that have overcome prior challenges.
We certainly hope that the worst will be behind us prior to the start of the Drum Corps International season. Right now, participants and parents can benefit from “What to Know Before Your Drum Corps Tour.” The story covers physical, mental, and emotional ways to prepare for the activity.
In this issue, we take time to celebrate the Mineola (Texas) High School Band on its Sudler Shield award in the Small School Division. We also present wise advice from a drum major who experienced the benefits of “Flexibility Under Pressure.”
Next issue, we will provide a fuller picture of how the marching arts have been impacted by the coronavirus as well as how music educators have embraced online teaching. Even though we can’t highlight WGI winners, we still plan to showcase various aspects of the indoor season.
In the meantime, keep your spirits up and stay safe!
Musically Yours,
Christine Ngeo Katzman
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
