Dear Friend,

I have recently been selected to perform as a member of the World Class Crossmen Drum Corps for the 2011 season. Over six hundred individuals from around the world auditioned for the corps, and I earned a position as a trumpet player in the ensemble. As a member of the Crossmen, I will train in San Antonio, Texas one weekend per month through May, before spending the summer traveling across the United States to perform and compete in the Drum Corps International Summer Music Games.

On the surface, the Crossmen is comprised of 150 youth performers, who excel in one of three areas: brass, percussion, and color guard. We spend the summer learning, performing, and competing with a production that combines the music, theatrics, and pageantry of your high school and college marching bands, with the talent and innovation of productions such as BLAST! and Cirque de Soleil. We will travel the country for approximately ten weeks, and end our season at the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.

More importantly, however, the Crossmen teaches discipline, responsibility, and skills that will benefit me far beyond my time as a member of the performing ensemble. The corps is truly a family and a brotherhood, and I am proud to be a part of the tradition that is the Crossmen.

In order to participate in the Crossmen this summer, each member of the organization is required to pay approximately $3000.00 in member and touring fees. The price of membership includes travel, instruction, food, uniforms, equipment, housing, and many other expenses incurred over the tour.

Currently, I am seeking sponsorship donations to help offset the cost of membership in the Crossmen. Any size donation would make an enormous difference in my ability to participate with the corps and there are a couple of ways you can assist me on my journey. Details are on our website at www.crossmen.org.

You can contribute to my summer fees by submitting a check directly to Crossmen Productions, Inc. for the amount you wish to donate. Please indicate in a brief note that you are choosing to support me, Michael Martinez / Italy, Texas, in the memo section of the check (Not Tax-deductible).

Mail checks to:
Crossmen Productions, Inc.
PO Box 591940
San Antonio, Texas 78259

Also, I am personally accepting donations. If you require additional information, my telephone number is 972-825-2836 and my e-mail is [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration.

Mail checks to:
Yvonne Acevedo
101 W. Dilworth
Italy, Texas 76651

Sincerely,
Michael Taz Martinez

Crossmen Website Calendar

• Saturday, May 28 through Tuesday, June 21, 2011
  San Antonio, Texas
  Spring Training-Everyday-All day

• Wednesday, June 22, 2011
  Indianapolis, Indiana
  All day

• Thursday, June 23, 2011
  Fairfield, Ohio
  All day

• Saturday, June 25, 2011
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  All day

• Sunday, June 26, 2011
  Washington D.C.
  All day

• Monday, June 27, 2011
  Clifton, New Jersey
  All day

• Wednesday, June 29, 2011
  Bridgeport, Connecticut
  All day

• Friday, July 1, 2011
  Ft. Edward, New York
  All day

• Saturday, July 2, 2011
  TBA, New Hampshire
  All day

• Sunday, July 3, 2011
  Lynn, Maine
  All day

• Wednesday, July 6, 2011
  Bristol, Rhode Island
  All day

• Thursday, July 7, 2011
  Ewing, New Jersey
  All day

• Friday, July 8, 2011
  Akron, Ohio
  All day

• Monday, July 11, 2011
  Bowling Green, Ohio
  All day

• Tuesday, July 12, 2011
  Davenport, Iowa
  All day

• Wednesday, July 13, 2011
  Metamora, Illinois
  All day

• Saturday, July 16, 2011
  Paddock Lake, Wisconsin
  All day

• Monday, July 18, 2011
  Minneapolis, Minnesota
  All day

• Tuesday, July 19, 2011
  Kansas City, Missouri
  All day

• Wednesday, July 20, 2011
  Wichita, Kansas
  All day

• Friday, July 22, 2011
  Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
  All day

• Saturday, July 23, 2011
  Odessa, Texas
  All day

• Monday, July 25, 2011
  San Antonio, Texas
  All day

• Thursday, July 28, 2011
  Dallas, Texas
  All day

• Saturday, July 30, 2011
  Milton, Florida
  All day

• Monday, August 1, 2011
  Atlanta, Georgia
  All day

• Tuesday, August 2, 2011
  Sevierville, Tennessee
  All day

• Thursday, August 4, 2011
  Charleston, West Virginia
  All day

• Saturday, August 6, 2011
  Warrenton, Virginia
  All day

• Sunday, August 7, 2011
  Allentown, Pennsylvania
  All day

• Tuesday, August 9, 2011
  Erie, Pennsylvania
  All day

• Thursday, August 11 through Saturday, August 13, 2011
  Masillon, OH
  • Quarter Finals – Thursday All day
  • Semi Finals – Friday All day
  • Finals – Saturday All day