Lucas Oil Stadium

Future Music Educators’ Experience

OPPORTUNITY: In 2009 Fran Kick met with John Mahlmann, Executive Director of MENC at the time, to launch this first-ever NAfME collegiate program collaboration with BOA and DCI. The goal was to create an event where any college student majoring in music education could experience first-hand the Drum Corps International and/or Bands of America Championship Semifinal events for FREE!

RESULTS: From 2009-2023 thousands of college music education majors (and many of their professors) from more than 200 different university campuses made the road trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. They experienced KICKin’ off the day with Fran Kick and a series of marching music education/music-industry insider roundtable Q&A discussions. They also received a behind the scenes tour of Lucas Oil Stadium and complimentary tickets for reserved seats to see, hear, and feel what is possible in today’s marching music activity.

PASIC 2023

In addition, registered participants also received FREE access to the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) right next door in the Indianapolis Convention Center. One of the largest drum and percussion events in the world, PASIC features concerts, clinics, panels, and presentations given by the finest artists from all over the world. Every November PASIC showcases all areas of percussion — drum set, marching, keyboard, symphonic, world, recreational, education, music technology, new music, and health & wellness.

Fran Kick coordinated all communication with collaborating organizations and secured the VIP marching music educators and music-industry insiders’ participation. Organizational sponsors would provide complimentary educational and music advocacy items for each attending student. Judy Kick would create and design flyers, ads, and social media graphics annually to promote the event nationally.

All 9 National Performing Arts Music Education Associations helped to promote and spread the news about this biannual event that happened every August (at DCI) and every November (at BOA). Colleges could download, print, post, and share a PDF Flyer. Embed and share a YouTube video. Post and share a social media graphic with all their students majoring in music education.

In 2010, 2011, 2015, this event earned a Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award respectively in the International Festivals & Events Association Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards competition. The IFEA is the world’s premiere association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide.

International Festivals & Events Association Pinnacle Award