VAIL, CO – The Board of Directors and staff of Ascend Performing Arts spent the weekend of October 4th through 6th reviewing the 2019 year and evaluating the organization’s progress in relation to the strategic plan for the future.
“A strong theme at the 2020 season kickoff board retreat was strengthening Ascend’s connections with alumni, the local arts community, and educators and students around the state,” said Janet Archibeque, Board Chairperson for Ascend Performing Arts. “We are exploring ways to leverage Ascend’s national reputation for building quality music ensembles to support local music education and to engage supporters who share a passion and aspire to develop opportunities to elevate youth through music. Board members committed to engaging in activities that reinforce the message that the reach and scope of Ascend Performing Arts brings culture and value to Colorado. The challenges and opportunities for the upcoming year are exciting and furthering the mission of Ascend makes it all worthwhile.”
The weekend was spent reviewing current offerings in Ascend 4 E’s:
- Educational programs (BKXperience Clinics, Spark! Ideas Conference, Mile High Drum & Percussion Festival, Denver Day of Drum Line).
- Ensembles (Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble, Blue Knights Winds).
- Events (Drums Along the Rockies, Corps Encore, Friendship Cup).
- Entertainment (Broncos Stampede & Broncos Brass) and other regional and global entertainment performance (Bahrain, Taiwan, and more).
The Board also reviewed the strategic plan and financial plan to ensure the staff’s coordinated efforts support the delivery of Ascend Performing Arts’ mission.
Additionally, time was spent on continuing to improve upon the safety and wellness of not only participants but staff and volunteers for all aspects of Ascend Performing Arts activities. Learn more here.
Board members for the 2020 year are: Chair, Janet Archibeque; Vice Chair, Michael Moore; Treasurer, Lee Reif; Secretary, Doug Kelley; and At-Large Members: Ken Adams, Neil Corvino, and Alex Factor; and Advisory Board (non-voting) members: Scott Factor, Darrell Griffin, and George Lindstrom.
The following board members Dallas Martin and Darrell Griffin were thanked for their service. Darrell served three years as Chair and is now on the Advisory Board due to term limits.
The board was joined by Ascend Chief Executive Officer, Mark Arnold (Ex-Officio member); Director of Development, Thelma Fung (Ex-Officio member) and staff members Volunteer Coordinator Laura Achilles and Ascend Director of Operations, GM Kuzma.
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.