DCI Guide to Auditioning

DrumCorps International THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF MARCHING MUSIC’S MAJOR LEAGUE Volume 4 Issue 1 Dan Acheson Executive Director Chris Weber Communications Manager Bob Jacobs Director of Marketing Lora Morton Manager of Promotion Services

Join the “Superheroes”

O

ne of the many things I look forward to each summer on the Drum Corps International Tour is having the opportunity to hang out in the stadium where corps exit the field. Because of the hectic schedules of the competing groups, mingling backstage after a show is one of the few chances I get to chat directly with performers. Even after many seasons, it’s easy for me to forget that these on-the-field “superheroes” are simply talented, energetic and skilled young adults once they shed their uniforms.

As DCI corps begin their auditions preparing to usher in a new edition of marching music’s elite, I want you to remember that each of the stars you see on the field began their journey by simply pushing themselves to take the chance to try out. From my unique vantage point, I am reminded that these are the same backpack-toting, iPod-listening, Facebook-posting people that you’re around every day … and there’s no better place for you to be than standing beside them at an upcoming “audition camp” experience.

Yes, any audition process can be nerve-wracking, but those who manage the auditions for our corps know exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes. They are focused on making sure that you are welcomed and thoroughly enjoy an experience that is fun, informative and educational.

Even if you’re on the fence, I encourage you to seize the opportunity and audition! I have had countless conversations with corps members who thought they’d never have a shot, or others who auditioned several times to achieve their goal of membership. By setting goals and working hard to attain them, they were able to achieve something magnificent: the chance to share their love of performance with their fellow corps members.

Best of luck, practice hard and don’t forget to absorb as much as you can along the way! I’ll be on the lookout for the new class of superheroes taking the field next summer and look forward to chatting with you after a show.

Warmest regards,

Daniel E. Acheson Executive Director/CEO Drum Corps International Marching Music’s Major League™ 6

John DeNovi Director of Business Development Custom Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC Irwin Kornfeld CEO Will Edwards President Angelo Biasi Publisher Emile Menasché Editor-in-Chief Jackie Jordan Creative Director Mac Randall Senior Editor Robin Stein Production Director Tia Levinson Business Manager Illustrations Trevor Johnston Photography Johnny Gilbert, Craig Olear, Sid and Linda Unser Contributors Carol Abohatab, Chad Criswell, Jim Dunlap, Geoff Giordano, Danny Miles, Adam Perlmutter, Tom Ruby, Ed Saindon Drum Corps International is the leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Editorial and business contact is 110 W. Washington St., Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone: 317-275-1212, fax: 317-713-0690. Drum Corps International Magazine is published in the Fall, Winter and Spring of each year. Nonprofit organization U.S. postage paid at Long Prairie, MN permit #710. Copyright ©2009 Drum Corps International. All rights reserved.

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icture yourself in a drum corps? You want the excitement of traveling all over the country and the thrill of performing in front of thousands of screaming fans all summer long? Well, this journey of many thousand miles truly begins with one first step—an audition.

Getting Involved

So, how do you start? While the first practical steps include researching the organizations (you’ll find a list at DCI.org/corps) and getting the details on their audition policies, the journey really begins when you decide you’re ready. So let’s bust a myth right here: You don’t have to be an all-pro musician or color guard member to get involved in drum corps. All you need is a willingness to learn and a desire to march, perform, and hang out with a large group of people who share your passion.

“We try to offer a welcoming family-style environment, with plenty of communication between us and you,” says Andy Smart of the Blue Knights’ brass staff. “We want you to have a good experience and we will work very hard to make sure that happens.”

That’s not to say that auditioning for an elite World Class corps can’t get intense or competitive. But all corps discourage the “pass-fail” attitude that can make performance evaluations so intimidating, and even the

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e h t n i Get

e r u i t Pc Drum corps audition season is upon us.

Here’s what you need to know to prepare for and pass the test that will put you on the field.

BY CHAD CRISWELL

Citations

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most competitive corps have programs for those new to the marching arts. As much as you may want to impress the corps, the corps wants to give you a good time—and help you become a better performer. An audition camp also offers a unique opportunity to meet young people who share your interest; some will be rookies like yourself but you’ll also meet veterans who can show you the ropes.

“We want you to come and live the experience of a weekend playing with the corps,” says Carolina Crown program coordinator Jim Coates. “Just relax, come in and be yourself.”

Spirit

How Auditions Work

While each organization has its own audition policy, most corps run two or more audition camps beginning in November. These are often held in different parts of the corps’ home state—or even in different parts of the country. Depending on the size and popularity of the corps, it may be necessary to reserve a place in advance.

The Internet has made it easier for newcomers to prepare to join a drum corps. Most groups post audition music on their web sites or allow potential members to sign up to receive music by email. Some organizations, including the Colts of Dubuque, Iowa, accept recorded auditions via the

,

A Member s-eye view of Auditioning Brad Sparks of the Colts (Dubuque, Iowa) was first introduced to drum corps several summers ago when the Bluecoats passed through his hometown. After deciding that he wanted to get involved, he auditioned for the Colts, a World Class corps based within a two-hour drive of his home. He says his experiences at the Colts’ audition camps are pretty typical for most first-time candidates.

“The first time I auditioned it was a little bit nerve wracking,” Sparks says. “All of the returning members were there, and they all shared their own inside jokes.

But once things got rolling the audition was actually pretty low key. With the Colts, the entire weekend is set up the same way that the sum24

mer schedule is set up, so you get a good feel for what it might be like to be in the corps. Make sure you have your music well practiced before you go to the audition, and be prepared for the staff to give you a lot of constructive criticism!”

Brad was accepted for the 2008 season, but had to turn Brad Sparks

down the offer due to other commitments. For the ’09 season, he was unable to attend the Colts November camps, so he submitted his audition as an online video.

“Doing the audition on video was actually harder in some ways than auditioning in person,” he says. “You have to go through all of the required playing and marching stuff, but it is essentially a one-time shot. The video may be all that they see of you, versus letting the staff get to know you in person over the entire weekend. If I had my choice, I would go to the rehearsal camp to audition.”

Interestingly, though he auditioned as a baritone horn, Brad ended up playing tuba on tour. “They needed another contra player, and I

thought that I was physically able to do it,” he says. “They worked with me on the parts and technique and it worked out great. The one thing that I hadn’t really been prepared for was the level of physical fitness that was required throughout the season. The first few weeks were rough as I built up endurance and strength, but by July, I was holding up pretty well.”

So what words of advice does Brad have for potential members? “People tend to think that they aren’t good enough to be in a drum corps, but if you show enough commitment and dedication during the audition, the staff will work just as hard to help you achieve more than you can ever imagine. Work hard and don’t give up until you get offered a spot!”

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Internet—though auditioning online means you’ll miss out on the camp experience.

Because corps will typically cover your housing, all of your meals and your instruction during an audition weekend, candidates are usually asked to pay a fee when registering. In some cases, for online auditions may be applied towards the cost of an upcoming audition camp.

Generally, November and Blue December audition camps are Stars built into a corps’ rehearsal schedule, in which case you may get a chance to meet veteran members and ask them about the corps. Some organizations opt to hold auditions separate from rehearsals, and may focus a particular audition date on only one section of the ensemble. Either way, because corps auditions often draw candidates from all over the country—and even overseas—they’re a great way to meet new people. Many a lifelong friendship started at an audition camp.

the corps’ daily schedule and routine during the summer tour. You’ll probably rehearse all day long, stopping only for meals. The evening often includes more rehearsal—followed by sleeping on the floor of a school gymnasium. “When you come to one of our camps our goal is that you have fun and learn about our organization in the process,” says Cadets assistant director Justin Heimbecker.

Getting comfortable with the lifestyle is almost as important as mastering the performance requirements. This is your chance to show veteran members and corps staff that you’re a team player. “How you do in the five or ten minute audition is never the only deciding factor in how we look at you,” Heimbecker says. “We want someone with a lot of potential, a good work ethic, and a positive attitude.”

One key way to demonstrate your attitude is come prepared.

Even if you’re an extremely accomplished player, don’t make the mistake of walking What You’ll Learn into the room hoping to wing A large part of the drum corps it. Have your scales, etudes, experience is the instruction a nd ot her exerc ise s dow n you’ll get from corps staff, cold. Fortunately, most groups including the section leaders post audition materials online (known as caption heads), and this i n late Aug ust or early education starts at the audition.

September, so there’s plenty of At most camps, prospects time to study. You can also prewill audition either in a small pare by watching the corps on group or in a one-on-one setvideo. Pay close attention to ting. The audition itself usually consists of scales and etudes marching technique and instrument carriage. It’s a good idea for the brass, rudiments and exercises for percussion, and a to practice in front of a mirror and do your best to mimic the wide variety of movements and tosses for color guard. All style of the corps at the audition. candidates will likely be asked to demonstrate their marching Beyond your ability to play and to fit in, a corps needs to technique, as well. know that you can commit the time to fit its schedule. Many For corps staff, constructive criticism is as high on the agen- World Class groups expect members to attend rehearsals and daT asRtalent I H S -evaluation.

T E E R F AEveryone T E G who auditions goes home camps throughout the winter and spring, in addition to with about how to improve. spending the summer touring the country. An Open Class T Sdetailed A L S E I Lnotes P P Uand S E Lsuggestions IHW That’s one reason many corps encourage newcomers to audi- corps may have a less intense schedule in the winter, and may 90 GAM ICD :EDOC OMORP tion at an early camp; you can use the critique you get the first stay closer to home in the summer, making it easier for time out to improve your performance at later camps. “It is younger members or college students who work to participart of the job of the caption heads to give feedback and pate. Either way, come to the audition with your calendar in instruction during the audition,” says Crossmen director hand and make note of any conflicts that you have such as Mark Chambers. “If we see potential in a person, we will show family events, school graduations, band camps, etc. them how we want things done and then invite them to come Drum corps is a very physically demanding activity, so back for the next round to see how much they can improve.” consider fitness part of your preparation. You don’t have to be ready to run the marathon before your audition, but it Getting to Know You (and Vice Versa) does pay to be active. Be honest and forthcoming about any Audition camps may be designed to help the organizations health issues (such as asthma) you might have so that the gnidivorp yb ecnamrofrep dna cisum fo evol ’stnapicitrap gnihcram secnahne ™ e n i z a g a M e m i t f l a H u m m o c e nfor i l n o potential d n a e n i z a g a mmemd e t n i r p y l h tcorps n o m i b astaff n i n o i tcan a r i p s nprepare i d n a t n e maccordingly. niatretne ,noitacude fill their ranks, but they’re also.yatinchance bers to experience corps life firsthand. Most camps mimic Lastly, before auditioning, it’s important to learn about the

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financial commitment—it’s different for each organization. But before deciding that joining a corps is outside your family budget, talk to the staff. Most groups have fund raising programs or provide scholarships.

Setting Expectations

While it is possible for a first-time candidate to audition successfully for a top World Class group, many members start their drum corps careers in Open Class units. “Smaller corps like ours have a lot of advantages over the big corps,” says Paul Chaffee, Executive Director of the Racine Scouts. “We pride ourselves in being a true teaching organization. We will take kids with no experience at all and teach them how to do it. We also tend to have lower fees than the bigger corps. As a result we are much more relaxed in how we do things—yet our performances are still something to be very proud of.”

Ultimately, whether you’re new to the marching arts, want to expand on your marching band experience by joining a drum corps, or have a drum corps background and are ready to move up in class, the experience of auditioning will make you a better performer—and a stronger person.

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Carolina Crown

With so many drum corps across the country, getting involved has never been easier. The audition camp is your chance to find the right fit for your abilities and temperament. And once you do, you’ll be marching into an experience that will last a lifetime.

Think you’re ready to step into the frame? Learn how you can get involved at DCI.org/audition.

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