Here's something I share with every single person who asks me for auditioning advice, so I'll share it here too.

I auditioned for the 2009 and 2010 Troopers before making it in 2011. When I finally made the corps, I realized a big part of the reason that I didn't make it the years before (as well as the playing issues, maturity issues, etc...). This realization came after finding out very quickly that I simply had no time to enjoy the accomplishment of making the corps, because it was harder work catching up to the vets than it was getting a contract. It was without a doubt a sense of urgency that drove me as I realized that nothing mattered more than making sure the show was as perfect as possible (or else why would you even march?) and I simply HAD to do my part. This is the point of my drum corps experience that I lost the drive to be better than any other individual, because EVERYONE had to be at the same level: perfection.

It's also great to embrace this when auditioning as well. Auditioning I've found is very much like a trial: you are innocent until proven guilty or in this case a corps member until proven cut. The staff is going to critique you just as they do any of the vets, and you simply can't waste time worrying about anyone's playing besides yours. This is why I can't think of how silly it was for me to always be worried about how many other people were auditioning and things such as that. You shouldn't worry about it either, because no one besides yourself is going to affect YOU getting in to the corps. If you decide someone else is better than you, you're right.

Hey guys, I just posted some great Drum Corps Audition Tip videos on my blog here: http://clean-beats.com

Hope it helps