ALT The Bluesky logo, a white butterfly, sits on a blue graphic with capitalized type reading "Follow Us On Bluesky at MAASIN dot net.

ALT A dark grey speech bubble graphic on a purple background which reads "Last Chance to Apply. Join MAASIN and make a positive change in the marching arts. Applications close today."

ALT A blue and purple design with shapes and lines. Large text says "Join MAASIN. Accepting new members. Applications close October 31." Small text says "join our nonprofit of 40 plus members and make a difference in the marching arts community!"

ALT Yikes. We have less than $500. Please help.

ALT A social media graphic with a CVS Health logo at the top, followed by the text 'Grant Recipient' in bold. Below, it reads, 'MAASIN is proud to be a recipient of a CVS Volunteer Grant! This $1,500 grant will allow us to provide enhanced programming, support services, and vital resources to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for the marching arts community.' At the bottom, the MAASIN logo appears alongside the full name 'Marching Arts Access, Safety & Inclusion Network.' The design includes abstract, sparkling shapes in light pastel purple and gray tones.

ALT Help Us Save! Necessities equal operational costs, town halls and promotions. Nice to haves include scholarships, additional promotions and expanded town halls.Help Us Save! Necessities equal operational costs, town halls and promotions. Nice to haves include scholarships, additional promotions and expanded town halls.

ALT Don’t forget about HBCU bands, too. Marching arts is more than drum corps, WGI, and BOA. Historically Black College and University (HBCU) bands have a rich history that is underappreciated by the rest of the marching music world. There are over 50 active HBCU bands in the United States who have driven halftime culture for decades.

ALT A Hub of Tradition. For decades, HBCU bands have been central to the Black college experience, tracing their roots back to the early 20th century. They developed a unique performance style that blends military precision with the rich cultural expressions of Black communities, laying the foundation for what is now known as "show style" marching.

ALT Influencing the Field. HBCU bands didn’t just stay within their own schools—they set trends. Their musical innovations and creative drill formations influenced not only other college bands but also professional marching organizations. The precision, flair, and dedication seen in their performances have become benchmarks of excellence in the marching arts.

ALT Shaping Halftime. HBCU bands have long dominated halftime performances with their dynamic shows, featuring a combination of complex choreography, booming brass sections, and high-energy dance routines. For many, the halftime show became as anticipated as the football game itself—a lasting testament to their cultural and musical impact.

ALT Title: Research Reports by MAASIN. Reports include "On the Road: Who Are Drum Corps Performing To?", "Resources for Parents and Guardians," and "DCI, DCA, WGI and Collegiate Marching Band Experience Surveys"

ALT Marching band season is in full swing. If you’re a performer, you’ll likely be working through long rehearsals and/or physical training programs, and that often comes with post-exercise soreness and stiffness. After a hard day of training or rehearsing, how do you know if the discomfort you feel is just the normal effects of physical exertion or an actual injury?

ALT Pain/discomfort is achy, dull, or stiff Pain/discomfort is spread out, hard to pinpoint Pain/discomfort develops gradually (usually 12-48 hours after workout) Stretching the muscle feels good Warming up is tolerable and might even feel good Muscles and joints look normal, no clear swelling or redness Joint stiffness that loosens up with a warm-up or a day of rest Joints feel mildly achy for a few hours after a hard workout/rehearsal, but still feel stable

ALT Severe pain that comes on suddenly, usually during the activity You hear or feel a distinct “pop”, followed by pain There is clear swelling, redness, or bruising A joint suddenly feels unstable, like it could give way or slip out of place The pain doesn’t seem to be getting better even after a couple days of rest

ALT If you’re feeling sore, simply rest, hydrate, and eat some nutritious food. You can keep training, but modify the rehearsal or workout to give your body a break so you can come back even stronger. If you still think you might have an injury, take some time off and talk to a medical professional if you can. Remember: most injuries will heal with the right care and recovery time.

ALT MAASIN Workshops promotional graphic featuring three workshop topics. The first workshop, '#MeToo in the Marching Arts,' focuses on recognizing rape culture and supporting survivors in the marching arts. The second workshop, 'Declassified LGBTQIA Allyship Guide,' educates on the differences between gender, sex, and sexuality, along with harmful stereotypes. The third workshop, 'Disability Allyship in the Marching Arts,' covers key concepts on disability and ableism, how disability impacts band participation, possible accommodations, and allyship in and out of marching arts. The MAASIN logo is centered at the top, with the website link 'Learn more at maasin.net/workshops' at the bottom.

ALT Two individuals stand against a textured wall, smiling and pointing at their sweatshirts. The person on the left wears a light gray sweatshirt with the text 'Turf Turds Against TERF Turds' alongside a graphic of a shoe stepping on a spiked object. The person on the right wears a black sweatshirt with the text 'March with Pride' featuring a colorful, flaming megaphone graphic. The phrase 'march with pride, wear with purpose' is displayed in large purple text on the left side of the image, along with the website URL www.shopmaasin.net. The MAASIN logo is in the top right corner.

ALT Graphic titled 'Where Donations Go,' with four sections detailing how donations are used by MAASIN. The sections are: Operations, covering costs like website maintenance and encrypted emails; Scholarships, providing support to LGBTQ marchers in summer and winter seasons; Town Halls, compensating guest speakers for their time; and Promotions, which includes marketing materials and reimbursing members for MAASIN-related expenses.