A holiday season message from our Executive Director

Hello and Happy Holidays!!!

I hope each of you are looking forward to time with family and friends over the next few weeks.  May this be a time of rest, good food and just plain fun for everyone!!!

It’s hard to believe the year of 2023 is quickly coming to a close with 2024 looming on the horizon, but the past year has been a true success for Music City.  The organization’s Vision Statement clearly focuses on “positively transforming young people’s lives” and with the support and dedication of staff, volunteers and parents Music City delivered programming to well over 400 youth (from 25+ states).  Back in August, Music City Drum Corps equaled the best placement ever during DCI Championship week placing 17th at semi-finals by achieving a historical new high score for the organization at 82.875 (only 0.113 behind 16th place).  However, the brightest success stories center on bringing young people together to develop lifelong friendships, providing opportunities for them to exceed even their own expectations, and helping shape productive, responsible leaders for the future.

The organization’s reach, impact and progress continue to draw attention from both within the drum activity as well as in the community.  Earlier this year, Music City Youth in the Arts was recognized as a local arts organization and awarded grants from both the Nashville Predators Foundation and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission to help purchase instruments and defray operating expenses.

Music City Youth in the Arts and Music City Drum Corps have been operating since 2008 and the inaugural drum corps performed in 2009 with 43 performers.  To say we have made significant “progress” over this time period is an understatement.  While “progress” is defined as movement towards a refined, improved or otherwise desired state, “progress” for Music City over the last several years has also included expanding the size of the fleet (i.e. adding a merchandise trailer), adding instruments to support growing corps membership, expanding the amount of food and wellness support provided to participants, improving the experience and quality of the design and instructional staff and like each of you managing through economic, cultural and overseen challenges (e.g. COVID).

Our vision and mission remain unchanged and completely focused on our youth participants, however the needs are great as we look into 2024 and beyond.  Many of you have likely participated in a previous fundraiser, donation drive, scholarship giving, meal sponsorship, etc.  Thank you!  Please know that every dollar and in-kind donation received are put to full use as we frugally manage day to day needs and expenses.

I hope each of you will continue to support Music City Youth in the Arts and Music City Drum Corps with your time, talents and service into 2024 and beyond.  If you are interested in making a year end donation, I sincerely welcome any amount and consider it a true blessing.  You can go online or mail your donation (make check payable to MCYA, 718 Thompson Lane, Suite 108-425, Nashville, TN 37204) whichever is more convenient.

Again, each of you have been instrumental in creating positive “progress” for Music City over the past 15 years.  I welcome you to join us in making an investment in the lives of young people and see where it takes us over the next 15 years.

From all of us at Music City, we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season and a happy new year!!!

All the best,

Mike Webb

Executive Director, Music City Youth in the Arts, Inc.