To our Blue Knights, Alumni, Donors, Volunteers, and Family:
After several weeks of closely monitoring the situation–in coordination with Drum Corps International (DCI) and other drum corps (read more)–the Blue Knights have made the difficult decision to cancel our planning for the 2020 summer national tour due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. This will be the first time the Blue Knights will not field a drum and bugle corps in 62 years.
While we recognize the hard work and preparation already put into this summer by our members and staff, this decision allows everyone in the Blue Knights to focus on their individual safety and well-being, and help their community get through this crisis. We have made a commitment to our members, staff, alumni, fans, and supporters to prioritize their health & safety first.
The response to this global health crisis is unprecedented. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world for each and every one of us. Please know we are thinking of you during this difficult time.
This decision will have a major impact on the Blue Knights, Ascend Performing Arts’ show events, education clinics, and all of the DCI community. While we do not have the resources to absorb the costs of canceling the summer, we will work diligently with the support of our Blue Knights Alumni, Family, and Supporters to come back stronger in 2021 (click here to learn how you can help).
Once we take a moment to catch our breath and check in with our members and staff, we will shift gears to prepare for next season now that we know what we must do. Our intent is to make sure Ascend Performing Arts and the Blue Knights will be here for you now and in the future.
We realize there are many questions. We have included a question & answer section below with more details coming soon. Please follow us on our AscendPerformingArts.org website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates on our next steps forward.
We wish you good health, we will #MarchOn, and we look forward to the day when our Blue Knights family is back together!
I Go On
Mark Arnold
Chief Executive Officer
Ascend Performing Arts
www.AscendPerformingArts.org
Questions & Answers
How has the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affected the Blue Knights?
It started with our April training camp being converted to a virtual experience to comply with CDC guidelines in response to COVID-19 outbreak (learn more). A delayed start to the season was being planned. However, the COVID-19 pandemic escalated to the point where it would be irresponsible of us to continue to tour as we put the health & safety of our members and staff as our #1 priority.
Will there be a 2021 DCI season?
Yes! While this global pandemic has placed the entire drum corps activity at risk, the decision to cancel the summer national tour now allows us to focus our planning for the 2021 season. We know there will likely be challenges but feel confident in the future of the activity that we all love and are so passionate about.
Will the Blue Knights return for 2021?
Yes! Ascend Performing Arts (parent organization of the Blue Knights ensembles) began contingency planning for the possibility of the outbreak impacting the 2020 summer national tour in late January.
We can survive this crisis but…we are looking to our Blue Knights Alumni, Family and Supporters to help us by supporting future initiatives as they are announced. We are looking forward to getting back on the field with an exciting show that we are sure you’ll love.
All of the resources at our disposal will be needed to finance refunds and cancellation costs, plus keeping our Ascend Performing Arts staff working on long-term planning and survival of the organization. Five of our largest fundraisers were cancelled along with the season. We will need the support of the greater Blue Knights family to help us weather this challenge.
How can I help?
Today your gift to the Blue Knights is more important than ever. Without appearance fees and show revenue, we will depend on your merchandise purchases and charitable donations to support our daily operations, even while the drum corps is not on the field. You can help your Blue Knights overcome this crisis stronger and ready for a fantastic future of providing life-changing experiences for 60 more years.
There are many ways you can help:
Make a one-time contribution. If you’re able to contribute, every dollar is needed and appreciated. The recently signed Congressional stimulus bill now allows a one-time, above-the-line deduction for cash contributions of up to $300. All taxpayers would be eligible to take the deduction, even people who use the standard deduction. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and would be claimed on tax forms next year.
Become a Sustaining Member. Small amounts add up over time. Please consider making your donation automatic each month or quarter.
Buy Blue Knights Gear. Even though our Blue Knights merchandise trailer will not be on the road this summer, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on getting the latest and greatest BK merchandise! Every sale supports the organization directly.
Re-invest your “drum corps dollars.”Blue Knights fans are incredible and each summer they invest a lot of money into the DCI Summer Tour by supporting Ascend’s Corps Encore and Drums Along the Rockies and DCI World Championships by purchasing tickets through Ascend’s site. Please consider making the same investment in drum corps this summer by donating back your show tickets, making a contribution in the amount of your concession snacks or travel expenditures, and buying a t-shirt!
Volunteer. Even though we won’t be on tour this summer, we don’t intend to sit idle. We have a few long-neglected projects in Denver, Colorado we intend to tackle once we’re given the all clear. Watch the website and our social media channels and join in if you’re able.
If you are in a position to help further, please consider the role this extraordinary organization has played in your life and in the lives of thousands since 1958, and make a donation here, get involved here, or purchase Blue Knights merchandise at BKMarketplace.org.
What is the status of 2020 contracted members?
All Blue Knights who “made” the drum corps in 2020 are guaranteed their membership status in 2021.
We will be contacting members and families regarding member tuition individually. Like most drum corps, some of the dues collected have been paid for purchases, deposits and show design for the 2020 DCI summer national tour. Please allow us some time to work through these details.
Will there be an extension for members scheduled to age out in 2020?
Yes, we supported the extension for the age limit extension along with the support of other DCI member corps for 2020 contracted members. Learn more at here.
What will the Blue Knights be doing this summer?
We are going to do everything in our power to fulfill the organization’s mission of providing a life-changing experience in the performing arts with the Blue Knights. Our 2020 members are incredibly important to us, and we want them to have the opportunity to learn as much as they can. We are also planning additional activities and events online, so be sure to follow us on all the social media channels. Stay tuned!
Additionally, Ascend Performing Arts is working on changes to the format of our BKXperience educational clinics so that those can continue and grow. We see this as an opportunity to reinvent our educational outreach to engage more aspiring marching arts performers. And, of course, we will continue our fundraisers and expand on those in preparation for 2021 and beyond. More to come!
What if I already purchased tickets to a canceled DCI show?
We are working through the logistics of this situation with Drums Along the Rockies-Boise, Drums Along the Rockies-Denver and Corps Encore ticket holders. We will reach out to those ticket holders with an update soon. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Is the Ascend Performing Arts office open?
Yes, virtually. We have administrative staff who will continue to work on our 2020 activities and in preparation for 2021. The office will re-open for normal business hours when the Governor of Colorado and the Mayor of Denver lifts state-wide restrictions (learn more). In the meantime, the best way to reach our office staff is by email here.
How are you doing?
We’re concerned about you, too. We know this is difficult news and it will be a challenging year for all of us. This time of social distancing is necessary, but we understand it can be lonely and isolating. We hope you will stay safe and healthy and enjoy the pictures and videos we will be posting on Blue Knights social media as we look forward to bringing our Blue Knights Family together again soon. Our alumni, fans and friends truly mean the world to us!
How can I reach the Blue Knights?
You can reach us at our Ascend Performing Arts office at [email protected].
The Ascend Performing Arts board of directors can be reached at [email protected]
Our mailing address is 3538 Peoria Street, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80010.
ABOUT ASCEND PERFORMING ARTS
Since 1958, Ascend Performing Arts has become a multi-faceted, youth performing arts organization dedicated to elevating life performance through the pursuit of excellence.
Ascend Performing Arts is recognized as the Rocky Mountain region’s most visible performing arts organization. Programs such as the internationally acclaimed Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, the 4-time Winter Guard International Champion Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble, and Blue Knights Winds play an important role in providing high-caliber performance ensembles for thousands of youth performers each year.
Ascend Performing Arts also produces the Broncos Stampede Drum Line and Broncos Brass to entertain tens of thousands of NFL fans at Denver Broncos home games every season.
Educational programs such as the BKXperience allows students of a variety of performance levels to learn from the best educators in the marching arts activity.
Ascend Events, such as the Drums Along the Rockies and Corps Encore drum corps shows and the Friendship Cup high school marching contests, provide a stage which showcases the world’s top young musicians at the highest level.