September 11, 2020
COVID 19 has had a profound effect on our whole world. We have been participating in
band director conversations across the midwest about student learning, leadership and
marching band for this fall. This has affected every single one of us in profound ways. We are
here to serve students, teachers and parents while supporting the arts in all of our communities.
Our hearts are with all of you. We hope we might be able to meet in a live event as soon as it
is safe to do so. Thank you for supporting Youth In Music as we serve the development of your
students and your programs.
Why a Virtual YIM for 2020?
This is a virtual project born out of the potential that our bands will lose their fundraising &
performance opportunities through their individual events AND that we would like to honor the
seniors who have done years of work in instrumental music, dance, theater, drumline,
colorguard, winds and marching band.
Because we are staying present and learning about the effects of COVID 19 on our society, we
are planning a virtual event to benefit our participating bands and the 2020/2021 Seniors.
What is the Virtual 2020 YIM Championships?
3 Events in One over the timeframe of October 1-10, 2020
- vYIM – Fundraiser, Competition, Performances from the past – October 1-10
online. - Video Exhibition of what bands are doing this fall – October 10 from 5-7pm
- Live awards ceremony to announce placements, scholarships, Hall of Fame AND
Honor our Seniors through a slide show. October 10 from 7pm-8:30 pm.
Please contact Brent Turner for Sponsorship and Virtual Marketplace Opportunities.
Thank you to these sponsors for their loyal support: SCHMITT MUSIC, Stanbury Uniforms,
YAMAHA Band and Orchestra USA, and Grand Tours.
Seniors will submit a picture or short video for the Senior Celebration Recognition Video .
Please submit information here by 5pm Friday October 2, 2020:
https://forms.gle/uuhMKKWFSoC91mNa8
Seniors will also be eligible for 2020 YIM Scholarships. Send the hyperlink below to your
seniors interested in a 2020 YIM scholarship which is due by 5pm Friday October 2, 2020:
https://forms.gle/VoqKjK6N5xGWXShp8
Youth In Music will promote the event through our website, social media and emails. We will
also attempt to get public awareness through news outlets, marching.com, drumcorpsworld, etc.
Bands will benefit by promoting the championships and by the votes registered through the YIM
website. Youth In Music will give scoring updates throughout the week.
This event will run for one week with a LIVE finale at 7pm Saturday 10/10/2020. YIM will create
the video competition based on each band that would like to participate. YIM will hire
adjudicators to give comments between each performance and a Festival Rating. Participants
will vote throughout the week from the video that will be hosted as a free and open event on our
website/youtube channel/facebook sites. We will give updates throughout the week as to
scoring in each of Class A, AA, AAA, AAAA and Colleges. Fans will have the ability to vote
multiple times throughout the week. Free access to the event will be available throughout the
week of 10/1/2020-10/10/2020. Cut off for voting will be noon on 10/10/2020. A live awards
ceremony will take place from 7-8:30pm on Saturday 10/10/2020 where we will honor the Seniors,
Announce YIMMYs, Announce Scholarships, give the Festival Ratings and Announce the
Scoring based on voting.
2020 Band Exhibition from 5-7pm on October 10, 2020
Bands will submit videos from their exhibitions, performances and rehearsals from the summer
and fall of 2020 and we will host that free video exhibition from 5-7pm on October 10, 2020.
2020 T-Shirts and patches will be available for students and parents through our Vendor –
online.
We are looking forward to this unique event to celebrate our seniors and the work put in by all
the bands to continue educating musicians in these challenging times. See you starting
October 1 and then at the Live Awards Show from 7-8:30pm at www.youthinmusic.org.
Sincerely,
Brent Turner, M.Ed
Youth In Music – President
