THE CROWN STORY STARTED MANY, MANY YEARS AGO
It all started in January 1988 when a group of drum corps enthusiasts began holding periodic meetings at the Holiday Inn-Woodlawn (Charlotte) in what eventually became the Charlotte Drum Corps Association. This small group met to watch videos and discuss the happenings of the day in the activity. This group would eventually go on to create Carolina Crown, a junior drum and bugle corps that officially began its storybook journey in 1990.
CROWN DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS…Today
Based out of Fort Mill, South Carolina, “Crown” is the largest performing ensemble offered by the Carolina Crown Organization. Students from all over the world come to audition on an annual basis to become part of this national touring group consisting of 165 members. The general make-up of the group is young people between the ages of 16 and 22 who aspire to become music educators, performing artists, and the leaders of tomorrow. While touring the United States the group performs in competitions held in conjunction with Drum Corps International. Carolina Crown is one of the premiere marching ensembles in the world. Decorated with multiple awards in brass, color guard, visual, and percussion, Crown is also a Spirit of Disney Recipient. Having been a championship finalist for the past 18 consecutive years, Crown was “Crowned” the title of World Champion most recently in 2013.
THEN CAME CrownCARES...2015
Carolina Crown announced the relocation of the iconic NightBEAT event from Memorial Stadium in Uptown Charlotte to Winston-Salem and with it the creation of CrownCARES. Our first outreach partnership was all locally-based organizations including the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. Specifically, monies were raised for our outreach partners through ticket sales and program sales. The local high schools received 100% of the program sales with Carolina Crown kicking in the difference to hit a goal of $3000.
IMPACTING A GENERATION!
CrownCARES contributes to the overall Carolina Crown mission of Developing Lifelong Excellence by engaging our members and volunteers in outreach programs impacting children in socio-economically challenged communities.
We do this by conducting our own independent outreach events and by partnering with other credible organizations, amplifying their message through our engaging and entertaining programming, event expertise, loyal volunteer base, and strong social media platform. Our focus includes childhood literacy and meeting the basic needs of underprivileged children in tangible ways.
CrownCARES was created to answer the question, “What kind of impact could be realized if the talented young men and women of the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps were engaged in outreach opportunities for causes affecting others?” Our original Mission of “Impacting a Generation” still drives the work we do. Through our initial five years, CrownCARES has served shoes, socks, books, and a message of hope to over 10,000 children in communities from the Carolinas to Ferguson, Missouri.
Interested in volunteering? Please consider meeting up with us at upcoming events during our annual summer Music with a Mission Tour.
