TriState Marching Arts understands its responsibility to the health and safety of its performers, staff and fans. We also recognize this means doing our part to contain the spread of COVID-19. With rising numbers of cases and hospitalizations, this responsibility becomes even more evident. As part of our commitment to providing performance opportunities to all units we are pleased to announce a new experience for the 2021 season, the TriState Virtual Marching Arts!
The TriState Virtual Marching Arts experience, or TVMA’s, will consist of three virtual events open to units of any class. Additionally, we’re excited to extend performance opportunities to small ensembles and solo performances. All performances will be reviewed by a qualified adjudicator who will provide feedback as well as a rating for the performance. We believe this approach will allow our units to focus on development through constructive feedback, regardless of the individual unit’s circumstances, while remaining encouraged and engaged.
Following the TVMA experience we are also planning to offer three in-person events, one in each state we service, tentatively scheduled for May 2021 and open to units in any class as well as small ensembles and solo performances. Planning for these regional events is underway and we look forward to announcing locations soon, subject to state, local and administrative guidance. These events will also be “ratings only”, but with an expanded panel of adjudicators providing feedback.
As many programs face financial challenges due to lost fundraising opportunities and other revenue interruptions we have made the decision to not collect membership fees or surety bonds for the 2021 season. Additionally, any unit that selected the option to “roll over” their paid 2020 Championships Fee will have the option to use those funds toward a 2021 TVMA’s or in-person event entry fee or they may request a refund.
Directors – please watch for additional information in the coming weeks.
