Hey, my name is Justin and I'm 16 years old. I'm a long time reader of DLO, and this is my first time posting. I decided not to post until my first drum corps audition camp, and I just got back from it this Sunday. I went to the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps audition is Paris, KY. I had the common misconceptions most rudimental high-shool drummers have when I first arrived at the camp, and I learned a tremendous amount, probably the most I'll ever learn abotu snare drumming and performing than I'll ever learn in two days. Here are the top ten misconceptions and extremely valuable things I learned at the camp:

1. Technique cuts 95% of the auditioners.
2. Eight on the Hand and Bucks are two VERY overlooked excercises. We played both of these excercises more than any other thing played.
3. Your left hand must be "non-flimsy" (just as good of a sound quality as your right). Try double bucks off the left for this one.
4. Be aware of your comfort zones, drum corps will take you out of your comfort zone and you won't see it again until you leave camp. You need to get out of your comfort zone, such as like if you had a flam 16th excercise, don't burn through it. Play it slow. Anything you practice that feels "good" is not what you ned to be practicing.
5. Ditty, Electric Wheelchair, 13th hour, Bucno Rules, and Tribute don't mean crap. The instructors won't care and you will look like an idiot.
6. Watch your releases to excercises, don't automatically slam the release, just because your done with a piece. Play it just like any other note.
7. Skill level takes a backseat to attitude.
8. Focus plays a very important part in drum corps. You may be able to focus and play complicated excercises in the comfort of your own home, but drum corps camps are exhausting. Sleeping on a gym floor will take a lot out of your sleep, beleive it or not. You've got to not drop-out when you feel like crap.
9. I believe that most drummers who are serious about performing on this kind of level MUST go to a drum corps audition before they can make it. There is so much to learn and so many mistakes young players will make. Do yourself a favor and go to one, just to get one out of the way, and take in as much as possible.
10. It's all about having fun. Nothing else. Go there to drum.

I hope I've helped some people out there make it to and through there first camp, I would've loved to read a post like this before I went. Thanks for listening,

Justin

I'm Terry Ford, and I approve this message.

Hey man, I think that is totally awesome that you discovered all of those things in one weekend. That shows how much you can retain which is also another must in the drum corps community. Glad to hear your experience was enlightening.

that's why drum corps is so great, you can learn so much in just a small amount of time. and those are all things that can help anyone. thanks for posting it!

Good job, that you were able to identify so many concepts quickly...although, what one corps does for its winter programs does not necessarily mean the next will do...depends on where you are auditioning and for what instrument...for example, at Dev's, most everyone comes in with what is considered the "basics", the concept is to get the most focus, demand and flexibility of the players very quickly.

Hi. I went to my first audition camp this past weekend as well. I went up to Chicago for the Cavies camp. You said it all flyingjust1n. Everything that you said is what they talked about the whole time. I really wished I would have read a post like this before I went up there so I could have been prepared but oh well I am going back next year so its all good. For you people that are reading these posts, take them into consideration. They really will help you. Thank you.

i agree with the technique it almost killed me at Revolution.
sam.

I love when people say they have searched and never found anything relating to a topic. I always wonder how they are searching through the forums. In under 10 minutes I found these threads about corps auditions in the Drum Corps section which actually contain most, if not all of the points you mentioned.:

These are just from 2004:
Auditioning For A Corps?
Camps?
dci auditions
Trying out for DCI

There are a number of others from earlier both there and in the Archives section. And don't forget that many people on here who are instructors in a high school program have also posted about what they are looking for in their auditionees and a lot of those are looking for the same qualities the corps instructors look for.

Buzzkill.

That's cool. I'm wanting to try out for Spirit Drum & Bugle Corps. They're just a couple miles from where I live. I mean people live where I do and go to college at Jacksonville State (Alabama). So that says it's not far right there. Money is my only problem. I was reading the payments and member ship fees and it all comes down to around $1555.00 counting the $100 deduct if you pay the fees before the time limit. Everybody in my marching band think I can get in no problem. I mean they consider me the best drummer in my county and I practice ALL THE TIME :P. But I guess it just takes a little time . Maybe I'll eventually get there ^.^