Magic
1989 - 2006 (Inactive)
Orlando, FL
The Magic was founded as Magic of Orlando in 1989 by Terry Valentine, Robert W Smith, and other key financial investors. The corps was touted as being on a track for great things, as many members chose to leave other corps in order to perform in Magic's first season. Their first public performance was in Walt Disney World's Easter Parade and their first Drum Corps International performance was in 1990. The corps first broke the DCI top 12, making finals, in 1994. In Magic's early years, it's instructional staff and students included many of the names which are considered to be at the top of the outdoor and indoor performing arts genres.
Early in it's history, Magic experienced a series of financial problems, however the corps was always able to stay active through generous contributions of corporate sponsors, and others who were vested in the corps. In 2000, the Magic Board of Directors made a sound decision during a spring camp to not take the corps on the road, as the amount of operating capitol was in question. The season of 2000 saw many returning members after the 1999 season, which on many levels was the worst Magic had seen. It was the dedication and sense of family that brought many members back to Magic, when they could have performed with any number of drum corps. When the board passed the corps would not tour, each and every member who chose to continue the season with another corps was offered a spot in virtually every top 6 drum corps. It was a deal brokered by those at Magic who wanted to see that each student was able to perform, as well as other corps' directors willingness to ask that whatever dues were paid at Magic would be transferred over with no additional fees required. Nearly as soon as the corps went inactive, the mission was set forth to activate "Micro-Magic", the World Champion Mixed Ensemble Magic had maintained through the years for various events. The group began as performing at small recruiting events and shows in Orlando to growing to include electronics, a visual ensemble, and other cutting edge vehicles. In 2001, the corps also was not prepared to field a competitive corps, but a huge step was about to take place. In 2002, Magic of Orlando returned in DCI Division II with a powerhouse staff, leading to an undefeated season in Division II competition with a record finals score of 99.05, and placed that same year 11th in Division I. The corps placed similarly in 2003.
More reorganization took place prior to the 2004 season, and the corps placed 17th in DCI Division I competition that year in Denver. The management changed the organization's name to The Magic in 2005.
After the 2006 competitive season, the corps administration announced that the Magic would not tour in 2007. The Corp has been inactive ever since the 2006 seasons completion.
Early in it's history, Magic experienced a series of financial problems, however the corps was always able to stay active through generous contributions of corporate sponsors, and others who were vested in the corps. In 2000, the Magic Board of Directors made a sound decision during a spring camp to not take the corps on the road, as the amount of operating capitol was in question. The season of 2000 saw many returning members after the 1999 season, which on many levels was the worst Magic had seen. It was the dedication and sense of family that brought many members back to Magic, when they could have performed with any number of drum corps. When the board passed the corps would not tour, each and every member who chose to continue the season with another corps was offered a spot in virtually every top 6 drum corps. It was a deal brokered by those at Magic who wanted to see that each student was able to perform, as well as other corps' directors willingness to ask that whatever dues were paid at Magic would be transferred over with no additional fees required. Nearly as soon as the corps went inactive, the mission was set forth to activate "Micro-Magic", the World Champion Mixed Ensemble Magic had maintained through the years for various events. The group began as performing at small recruiting events and shows in Orlando to growing to include electronics, a visual ensemble, and other cutting edge vehicles. In 2001, the corps also was not prepared to field a competitive corps, but a huge step was about to take place. In 2002, Magic of Orlando returned in DCI Division II with a powerhouse staff, leading to an undefeated season in Division II competition with a record finals score of 99.05, and placed that same year 11th in Division I. The corps placed similarly in 2003.
More reorganization took place prior to the 2004 season, and the corps placed 17th in DCI Division I competition that year in Denver. The management changed the organization's name to The Magic in 2005.
After the 2006 competitive season, the corps administration announced that the Magic would not tour in 2007. The Corp has been inactive ever since the 2006 seasons completion.