February 24 , 2004

CrownBEAT

The Official Newsletter of Carolina Crown, Inc.

 

Home Sweet Home

227 Main Street has housed the offices of Carolina Crown for many years, and we have come to think of this building as our home. In October 2003 we learned that our landlord, an investment group led by former Crown board president Chip Smith, was planning to sell the building. The decision was made by our executive committee to pursue the potential purchase of this property, provided that we could do so without any significant cash outlay or negative budget impact. Our reasons for this decision were threefold: 1) to provide a permanent location for Crown; 2) to avoid future rent escalation; and 3) to build equity in a real estate asset for financial security.

I am pleased to announce that on February 4, 2004 Carolina Crown accomplished this goal and became the “homeowner” of 227 Main St , Fort Mill , SC !

This is a great milestone in the history of our organization, and I want to recognize the two individuals who made this transaction possible: Wil Plyler of SC Bank and Trust, who arranged very favorable mortgage financing, and Chip Smith, who worked with us to structure a great deal AND generously donated a significant portion of the down payment.

House warming gifts are welcome.

 

Bill Loelius President

 

 

 

 

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Camp Report

As we enter the month of February, Carolina Crown is hard at work on the 2004 program. Currently the brass section is play two/thirds of the show music while the percussion section is playing half of the show music. Plans are to be playing all of the show music within the next couple of camps as we prepare to move outside for the spring months when the color guard returns. While the show continues to develop from a design stand point, everyone involved with the 2004 Carolina Crown is very excited about this summer. All of the members enjoy playing the music and can not wait to start spring training to see the entire show develop. Carolina Crown is concluding the audition process that started back in November with a record number of people auditioning at the camps, including our new remote camps in Indiana and Texas . The large number of talented kids that attended these auditions continues to better Carolina Crown. With four more camps left before spring training everyone at Carolina Crown is working to make this summer the best in the corps history.

Bob Beasley 2004 Drum Major

NightBEAT Newser

Keith Miller NightBEAT Chairman

Carolina Crown Hosts Annual Union County Honor Band!

Carolina Crown hosted the third annual Union County Middle School Honor Band and the first annual Union County High School Honor Band the weekend of February 21 and 22 at Wingate University.

All six middle schools and high schools in Union County participated, including Monroe Middle, Weddington Middle, Parkwood Middle, Piedmont Middle, East Union Middle, Sun Valley Middle, Weddington High, Sun Valley High, Monroe High, Piedmont High, Forest Hill High, Perkwood High, Metrolina Christian.

Over 170 students participated in the two-day event, which included three long rehearsal blocks, a pizza lunch organized by the directors, barbque chicken dinner supplied by Forest Hill Band Boosters and a public concert.

Mrs. Felicia Davis served as this year's middle school guest conductor. Mrs. Felicia Davis is a graduate of West Oak High School in Westminster , South Carolina , and Winthrop University in Rock Hill . While attending Winthrop , Mrs. Davis performed with the Symphonic Band, Rock Hill Chamber Orchestra, Winthrop Dance Theater, and was a member of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity. Mrs. Davis was also Rush chairman for Chi Omega Fraternity, and selected as a Pan-Hellenic Woman of the year in 1989. Mrs. Davis has been teaching band for 13 years, 6 years at Mooresville Middle.

Alice Adkins Aldredge served as this years high school guest conductor. Alice Adkins Aldredge is a 1989 graduate of East Carolina University where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education. She began her teaching career in Robeson County at Lumberton Junior High School before moving to Scotland County to assume the Director of Bands position at Carver Middle School in 1992. Mrs. Aldredge was awarded the 1994-95 Teacher of the Year Award by her colleagues at Carver Middle School before moving to Scotland High School for six successful years from 1995-2001. Currently, she team-teaches with her husband at Croatan High School and Broad Creek Middle School outside Morehead City on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

Saturday's concert, well attended with over 400 parents, family and friends, included 7 pieces highlighting the 2004 Honor Bands talents and achievements.

Crown's own Ryan Summers has been contracted to record all the Carolina Crown Honor Bands this year, making Compact Disc recordings available to participants and their parents.

Many thanks go to all participating directors as well as Wingate University and The Union County Community Arts Council for their support of this event!

Calling All Volunteers!

For 15 years you have heard our cry, "Calling All Volunteers"!  Yes, it is once again time to ask for the assistance of all our supporters in getting the corps down the road on yet another summer tour.  Support staff are needed to do everything from cook and serve food four times a day; prepare over 12,500 gallons of drink mix; mend a torn uniform or flag in a rush before a big show; empty trash bag after trash bag; and "just be there" to answer a question, lend a helping hand and be a nightly cheering section for our members!  We promise, it will be an experience you will never forget! If you are interested please fill out the Volunteer Submission form and let us know. Also, the best way to learn what being a member of the corps' support staff is all about before you come out on tour is to sign up for one of our remaining winter camps. Click here for the Calendar