Our Legacy
A Legacy of Performance, Service, and Evolution
For more than three decades, Florida Marching Arts Inc. has been dedicated to bringing people together through music, performance, and service. Operating continuously as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1996, our organization represents one of Florida’s longest continuously operating marching arts organizations.
Our story is one of perseverance, evolution, and an unwavering belief in the power of performance. While our name, style, and approach have changed over the years, our purpose has remained constant:
To create opportunities for performers, inspire audiences, and strengthen communities through the power of music.
From our earliest days as a drum and bugle corps to the dynamic performing organization we are today, every chapter of our history has been shaped by the dedication of the members, volunteers, educators, and supporters who believed in the importance of this activity.
A Tradition Built in Florida
Our story begins in 1992 with the formation of Heat Wave of Orlando, a senior drum and bugle corps created through the collaboration of several Florida marching arts organizations.
The vision brought together members and supporters from Classic Drum Corps of Melbourne, the Bahia Shrine Drum Corps, and American Spirit from Clearwater, uniting performers from across the state with the shared goal of creating a new organization built on excellence, opportunity, and a love for the marching arts.
From the beginning, Heat Wave represented the very best of what the activity can be—a group of individuals from different communities coming together to create something greater than themselves.
That spirit of collaboration, dedication, and service would become a defining characteristic of the organization for decades to come.
In 1996, Heat Wave Sr. became a federally recognized nonprofit organization, establishing the foundation that would eventually become Florida Marching Arts Inc.
Competing in the newly formed Drum Corps Associates (DCA) Class A division, Heat Wave Sr. quickly earned national recognition, capturing DCA Class A Championships in 1998 and 2003 and building a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire us today.
But as the marching arts evolved, so did our organization.
The Sun Devils Chapter
In 2009, Heat Wave Sr. entered a new chapter and transitioned into the Sun Devils Drum & Bugle Corps.
The change represented a new identity and a renewed vision for the future while preserving the traditions, friendships, and commitment to excellence that had defined the organization from the beginning.
The Sun Devils continued to represent Florida with pride, earning DCA South Class A Championships in 2009 and 2010 and continuing the organization’s tradition of competitive success.
During this time, the organization continued to adapt to the changing landscape of the activity. In 2014, the nonprofit organization evolved once again, becoming Florida Marching Arts Inc.
Following the 2014 season, the Sun Devils Drum & Bugle Corps became inactive. However, the passion, experience, and dedication of the members and supporters remained.
The legacy continued.
The Birth of IMPACT
In 2012, another important chapter began when members of the Bahia Shrine Drum Corps opened their doors to the public with a vision of creating a new performing organization in Central Florida.
From that vision, IMPACT was formed.
Built on the ideals of community, accessibility, and performance excellence, IMPACT created a place where performers of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels could continue sharing their passion for music and performance.
That same year, IMPACT made its debut at the Drum Corps Associates World Championships in Annapolis, Maryland, beginning a new journey while honoring the traditions of those who came before.
Although IMPACT represented a new identity, it carried the same spirit that had guided Heat Wave and the Sun Devils for decades.
A Homecoming and a New Future
In 2015, following the conclusion of the Sun Devils era, IMPACT merged with Florida Marching Arts Inc.
This moment represented far more than an organizational transition.
It was a homecoming.
The merger reunited many of the original Heat Wave members and supporters with the organization they helped create decades earlier while bringing together the experiences, traditions, and vision of multiple generations of Florida performers.
The dedication of Heat Wave.
The determination of the Sun Devils.
The vision of Bahia Shrine Drum Corps.
The energy and passion of IMPACT.
Together, these chapters became one continuing story.
A story built on tradition, but always moving forward.
IMPACT Today
Today, IMPACT is a member-driven performing organization dedicated to creating outstanding experiences for performers and audiences alike.
Our members come together from across Central Florida and beyond to share their passion for music, performance, and community. Through dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence, IMPACT provides an opportunity for people of all backgrounds and experience levels to be part of something meaningful.
Our performers have appeared at community celebrations, parades, festivals, conventions, sporting events, school events, and special performances throughout Florida and beyond.
In 2016, IMPACT joined the DCI SoundSport program, opening opportunities to perform for new audiences across the country. Since then, the organization has appeared in locations including Orlando, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and beyond, earning Gold ratings and multiple Best in Show honors while helping introduce new audiences to the excitement and artistry of the marching arts.
Honoring Our Roots While Embracing the Future
While our history is firmly rooted in drum and bugle corps, IMPACT has continued to evolve.
Today, we are no longer defined solely by the traditional expectations of a competitive marching ensemble. Our performances have expanded beyond the marching field to focus on performance excellence, musical achievement, audience engagement, and entertainment.
This evolution is intentional.
We believe the future of the marching arts depends on reaching new audiences in meaningful ways. By creating performances that are exciting, accessible, and memorable, we hope not only to grow IMPACT, but also to inspire a greater appreciation for the activity we love.
Whether performing at a community event, festival, sporting venue, convention, or special celebration, our goal remains the same:
To create unforgettable experiences that connect people through music and performance.
IMPACT may have evolved beyond the traditional definition of a drum and bugle corps, but our roots remain at the heart of everything we do. The discipline, teamwork, musicianship, and camaraderie that defined our past continue to guide our future.
We are not leaving our history behind.
We are carrying it forward.
The Heart of IMPACT
What truly defines IMPACT is not simply what we perform—it is the people who make it possible.
As a member-driven nonprofit organization, IMPACT brings together performers, volunteers, educators, and supporters from all walks of life.
Some members have spent their lives performing. Others are returning to the activity after years away. Some are discovering the marching arts for the very first time.
Everyone has a place.
Through friendship, dedication, service, and shared commitment, IMPACT continues to provide a community where people can grow, perform, and belong.
Looking Ahead
Although many simply know us today as IMPACT, our story carries the legacy of every person and every organization that helped build this journey.
The innovation of Heat Wave.
The determination of the Sun Devils.
The vision of Bahia Shrine Drum Corps.
The dedication of every IMPACT performer, volunteer, and supporter.
Those traditions are not behind us—they are the foundation upon which we continue to build.
We believe honoring our past does not mean standing still. It means carrying forward the values that shaped us while embracing new opportunities, new audiences, and new possibilities.
For more than 30 years, our mission has remained unchanged:
To inspire through performance, strengthen our communities through service, and ensure that the spirit of the marching arts continues to thrive for generations to come.
Our story began with drum corps.
Our journey continues with IMPACT.
Florida Marching Arts Mission
Our mission is, first and foremost, to give back to the community by providing a positive atmosphere in which our membership can receive an education in the performing arts and develop life-enriching character traits such as discipline, teamwork, integrity, leadership, dedication, and good citizenship.