It's that time of year again!
DCI drum corps around the nation are gearing up to hold
auditions for the 2013 season. Now is the time to start picking out which drumlines you'd like to march and make arrangements to attend their auditions.
Here's a list of
DCI World Class drum corps and links to their audition information:
The Academy
Blue Devils
Blue Knights
Blue Stars
Bluecoats
Boston Crusaders
The Cadets
Carolina Crown
Seattle Cascades
The Cavaliers
Colts
Crossmen
Glassmen
Jersey Surf
Madison Scouts
Mandarins
Oregon Crusaders
Pacific Crest
Phantom Regiment
Pioneer
Santa Clara Vanguard
Spirit of Atlanta
Troopers
If you're planning on auditioning for one of the drumlines listed above, be sure to make arrangements as soon as possible. The more prepared you are early on, the more successful you'll be at your audition.
What does that mean?
Well, there's a lot that goes into auditioning for a DCI drumline. Typically you need to apply, pay an audition fee, make travel arrangements (train, bus, car, plane, etc.), learn and memorize the drumline exercise packet, learn the drumline music excerpts, pack for the audition, get to the audition, and then throw down at the audition.
And those are just the larger tasks of a DCI drumline audition summed up - there are a lot of smaller details that you'll need to take care of along the way.
Now, this isn't meant to intimidate you by the amount of effort and planning that is required to have a successful drum corps audition. As a matter of fact, you should be incredibly excited to audition for one of these corps! You just need to understand that there is a decent amount of work that is required and the earlier you start working on it the more comfortable and confident you'll feel going into the audition.
You may have already marched drum corps and know what to expect. But if this is the first time you've auditioned for a corps, here's what we recommend you do.
DCI Drumline Audition Preparation Advice
1) Pick two to three corps that you would love to march.
2) Analyze your financial and travel situation
3) Determine which corps is the best option for you in your current situation
4) Register for the audition, arrange travel plans, and get a hold of the audition material
5) Start learning the material. Learn everything slow with a metronome and work it up over time to required tempos. Always focus on great tone quality, technique, timing, and style.
6) Memorize all of the exercises and drumline music excerpts
7) Contact a member of the percussion staff if you have any questions that you can't answer yourself
8) If you have the ability to drum with a returning veteran of the line - do it - a lot!
9) Continue practicing and refining all of the material until the audition
*Drumline Chops tip: Make sure you avoid these
7 Bad Habits that Ruin Your Playing!
If you want to march drum corps but are nervous about auditioning, do it anyway! The only way to truly understand what to expect is to show up and go through the process. Even if you don't make the drumline this year, you'll learn a ton throughout the process and have a much better understanding of what you need to do the following year to make the line. It's a win-win no matter what happens (although we really hope you make the line of your dreams!).
These are just some general things to think about as you plan your drum corps audition. We wish you all of the best and if you have any questions, be sure to post them on the Drumline Chops Forum where the community can answer them directly and help you out!
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to "Like" the
Drumline Chops Facebook Page to stay up to date with new drumline exercises, music, articles, and more!
Recent Posts
