Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization

I became more of a woman thru spending time with differently cultured individuals. The strength I gained as an individual has lasted longer than the amount of time I spent in the corp itself. I gained insight and wisdom from spending so much time with new and different people that actually wasn't even music related at all. The single year I spent with the corp was the best year of my life thus far. I think I came alive thru the help of the organization. I miss playing music a lot and regret not coming back for more seasons. I miss those times and those people. And I miss my body being in shape. They worked my ass off.

PC offers a great experience for young musicians, to cultivate unity, commitment and dedication with one another. The aspiration will last a lifetime.

The best experience for any young adult. A comradeship that I have yet to experience in anything else I have done so far in life. My only hope now is that my daughters will someday participate in this experience as I did.

First off, let me just say that Pacific Crest changed my life. The story started in fall of 2004. A tuba player and a euphonium player at my high school had marched the 2004 season and ended up showing my high school marching band the quarter finals performance. I was immediatly hooked and wanted to be a part of the organization. I wasn't able to march until 2006 but it was well worth the wait. At first I was shy and not very confident in myself due to being a new member and not one of the shining stars, but after a few rehearsals I made myself comfortable and settled in with some new friends. As the season went by, the summer got tougher and so did the show. These situations made me push myself way beyond my physical and emotional comfort zones farther than before or since. If it wasn't for that happening I would not have become the confident outgoing person I am today because that was the hardest thing I have ever endured. Now, any normal person would not want to put themselves through time and time again. Well I'm not normal. I went back in 2007 where I made more new friends and strengthened the bonds with old ones. The organization had taken flight that season with some what of a weak competative start, but we made huge strides throughout the season placing 12th at the Allentown, PA and that was in direct comparisson with our competition. Though we obviously didnt finish in that high of a placement, it definately pushed the members to try for a level of greatness not yet achieved by the corps. All in all, it ended up being the best summer of my life.....so far. 2008 was my final season with Pacific Crest and it was unforgettable. I don't remember ever being so close to a group of people before. It was definately worth every penny, second, calorie, and sunburn. Thank you Stuart for creating this corps back in 1993 -Daniel Aguayo

My daughter marched her first year of drum corps with Pacific Crest. Her experience was overall very favorable. Stuart Pompel, the director, is very concerned about the welfare of the kids and it is apparent in the way things are run. While on tour, the kids were very well fed, got plenty of rest and were very adequately housed. I marched drum corps myself and know of some horrible situations other corps kids have been put through, not these kids. In addition to being a parent supporter and a fan, my husband and I volunteered on the food truck for a short tour. What a rewarding experience!! Very hard work, but so worth it. The head cook is a wonderful woman to work with and she really does love those kids. My husband and I have been around drum corps a long time. Many come and go. But, we are impressed with the longevity of the corps. It seems to be a very well managed organization that will be around for a long time to come.

My daughter was a member of Pacific Crest's color guard in the summers of 07 and 08. I had the pleasure of traveling with them on the first tour of 07. I was continually impressed with how well organized the whole operation was. Stuart Pompel, PC's executive director, made everyone feel included and important, he never forgot a name or a kindness. He and the Board of Directors are hard working and dedicated to this program and, most importantly, to its hard working invaluable members who's physical labor and collective love of drum corp make it all possible. I had a great time touring with them. It was very hard work, first ones up - last ones to bed, preparing meals for 200 people 4 times a day, but worth every single minute. To be a part of that PC family, even for one summer, was an experience I'll never forget. My daughter and I both agree that its the hardest work we've ever done but the most meaningful. don't hesitate to be part of this program!

Since the small beginning to the extensive growth of the present time, Pacific Crest has grown way beyond our imagination - or was it our imagination and dreams that it did grow! Today it continues to emphasize a philosophy of "Work hard yet have fun". The members have a family focus and deep respect for each other and the Corps as a whole. They never forget to say thank you to the volunteers and donors. The instructional staff is head and shoulders above any I have known. With young people like our membership, I know that the world is a better place and will continue to be better.

Excellent youth organization that teaches kids how to be the best they can be ... not just as musicians ... but learning how responsibility, self-discipline, hard work, and teamwork build the foundation for success in life as well.

In my early teen years, I had the opportunity to learn to play drums for a local Drum & Bugle Corps in my home town. As my skills improved, I was able to join another Corp that competed at a championship level. Becuase of financial reasons in my family, I was not able to continue my season or my dream of competing in a World Championship. During my entire adult life, I have watched on sidelines and the parking lots at the incredible tallent of the instructional staff and members of the Corps and wondered how they make it look so easy on the field. I watched closely from the time the corps busses arrive in the lot, during warm up and show perfomances and even the hot meal before packing the trucks and leaving for the next competition many miles down the road. It was amazing to witness the coordination of the Corps. During the past two years, I have become a parent volunteer for the Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps as a way of re-living my old drum Corps dream while being with my Son, who now is a snare drummer in the corps. I soon found the answers to my questions of what it took to make each show event look so polished and organized. For me, the answer was two things; volunteers and money! These past two years I met parents who are willing to provide time and resources to help this corp achieve things they could not do on their own. I was amazed at the way the staff interacted and valued their volunteer staff. I felt at home and comfortable to offer my input to real issues and appreciated for even the smallest of contributions of time or money. The professionalism and coordination of the organization is directly related to the quality of the Corps Director and Board of Directors. I found that the organizational values set by the managment meets the values we expect our kids to learn in the real world. Financially speaking, Pacific Crest is one of the more financially sound corps in the activity today. Last year the orgainzation was able to overcome the historical increases in fuel costs during tour while remianing in the black at year-end. Last summer I took nearly a month off work and toured with the Corps. It was an amazing opportunity to witness this well-oiled machine in action, I have to encourage anyone who has a passion for music or pagentry to take some time to get involved with a Drum & Bugle Corps. With the changes in our economic conditions, Pacific Crest will need support from a much larger volunteer base. PLEASE help keep this incredible youth arts organization in the best competitive advantage this season by helping with your personal support. The life skills these young adults learn lasts a life time and returns to our communities in ways we charish for generations.

This organization promotes the general enrichment of the members by offering the opportunity to participate in physically/ mentally demanding competitive marching/music/dance activities. I personally benefited by learning to function in large groups as a performer and as a leader. This organization promotes the development of high school and college aged performers to a level of maturity and sophistication beyond that of their peers. I toured the western U.S. with the drum and bugle corps for five years while still attending college. I learned the discipline, personal responsibility, and sense of duty I use at work today every day at in my career. My experience inside and outside of this organization revealed no "shady business" and a conservative outlook on the group's growth and development.

A great example of an organization that can stay "Mission centered". Has high standards on how the youth served are provided for, yet resist temptation to spend in ways that are short-term and have unpredictable returns. Board seems "on same page" in a way few like organizations have. Stability in leadership and staff lends to smooth event operations. Excellant public relationships within its own community (music education in California).

I was part of Pacific Crest during it's younger stages in 1996. The best part of the experience was the people. The staff was passionate about their craft and trained us with drive, but also respect. It was one of the first experiences I had where I felt I was treated like a musician, a colleague, instead of a child. I think this method of training lends a hand in attracting quality musicians. This organization serves the community well by providing a quality program that promotes good musicianship, but more importantly, good citizenry.

As someone who has been a Drum Corps fan for over fifty years I can attest to the value of Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps in the development of our youth and in being an important community asset. My son and daughter were Pacific Crest members for five years and my son is now on the instructional staff. Most of the staff are Pacific Crest alumni. I have been a Drum Corps volunteer for the last nine years including a year spent with two Drum Corps. Ask anyone who has ever marched in any Drum Corps what the most valuable benefit was as a Corps member and I can guarantee the answer will always be the same: Lasting friendships. The glue that binds everyone is the love of music. Combine that with performing at your best, at one with your Corps, in front of thousands of fanatic, screaming fans and you can imagine the elation and pride felt by every member on their field of glory. To me, Drum Corps is life, but you see, I’m one of those fanatics. To watch any Corps take the field and to hear the fff blast from a company front is to experience goose bumps and teary eyes. The Chinese philosopher Confucius said, "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

The Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization is a wonderful organization that inspires its members to greatness, and shows them how to use their skills for positive impact for the self confidence needed to excel at a high level of excellence in individual and team performances. These High School and College student performers show a great commitment to themselves and to their leaders as well. Pacific Crest is run by very ethical and caring individuals who give up their time at basically no compensation. The performers and staff come from all over Southern California and some other western states and are together for approx. 8 months. The friendships made and life-long relationships established make the whole experience very worthwhile for Pacific Crest members. As one of the performers commented, “I not only joined a top-performing group, I learned that I had also joined one of the greatest types of families you could imagine.” Although the Pacific Crest members pay tuition, additional cost of up to $125,000 is required per year to offer this world class experience for Southern California’s youth performers. Pacific Crest solely supports itself by generous gifts and grants from the community and local and regional businesses, foundations and other donors. I can attest that every dollar is spent wisely and for the enrichment of these student performers. My daughter's experience in this group was more positive than words can express and the memories will be with her for a lifetime! She is now volunteering her time to assist with sales of group merchandise to group members and the general public at the performances, various camps and rehearsals.

Pacific Crest truly is a youth arts organization, yet they are even more. Our daughter, Emily, has gained many valuable tools that enable her to excel in other aspects of her life. She's learned leadership skills, how to work as a team, time management, effective communication and then the topper is the challenge of it all. She not only learns new music but she is challenged at every rehearsal to refine and better her techniques. She has learned so much through her past and current experiences. This is truly an organization that truly cares about the youth that come to there programs. Ken and Shannon Cole

Pacific Crest is a great non-profit that serves young musicians and performers in the area. They offer performance opportunities that create memories that will last a life time. I was forunate enough to be a part of the Pacific Crest family and it was the best 3 summers of my life. I was fortunate enough to work with them last summer and I was once again impressed with their dedication to young adults and give them a wonderful worthwhile musical experience!!

Stuart Pompel and his staff have done an excellent job of building an outstanding Drum & Bugle Corps. Over the years, all the kids that I have met from the Corps have been the creme of the crop in American youth. Our busines and family have been avid supporters and doners since Pacific Crest's inception.