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 ^.^

Wow, I just read this and I have to say...that is pretty much everything I noticed at my Tournament of Roses auditions. TofR is different of course, but it still takes the same concentration. Thanks a lot for posting this, it really puts it all into words.

thanks a lot! I plan on going to one next year. The other two snare drummers went to one and they came back saying a lot of simliar things.

With my auditions for Oregon Crusaders this will help me so much. Thanks for taking the time to write this up!
Good Job

Justin did have a lot of good points....
DaKman I understand what you are saying but it all does come down to basics. People trying out for the Devs, Cavies, Cadets etc all get cut for the same reason. People who think they can ram Ditty, Bunco and all the other exercises a line plays but ignore the basics. To them their basics sound sweet, but to others who watch they are far from it. Granted if you have sweet basics and can't play tons of rudimental things you may not make our line...BUT for those who you have seen take the time to perfect the basics the rudimental stuff is already learned because they work for each other. Learn bucks, apply to flam drags. It is all about the basics no matter what line you go to. If your basics are solid most everything else will be too. That is all I have for now.

"90 percent of people cut, cut themselves"

And no, not in the suicidal way. It's the truth. You go in with a bad attitude, and you will get cut.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the info, dude. It helped for my first Camp.

I really am planning on making it to a camp sometime in the future. Wish I could be closer to par now so that I could try for someone like Capital or something. Thanks a lot for taking the time to type out your experiance. Well put, I've heard a lot of these things from our high school instructor.

DCIsnare said it all good. I agree with every word.

Great post, justin.

Font brought up an interesting point, "90% of audionees that are cut, get cut by themselves."

Many people have heard that but it is a paradox. A lot of that has to do with what Justin mentioned -- Going into a camp just for the experience. If 90% cut themselves, how many of those cut themselves because they went in there for the experience, not expecting or even planning to march? I would suspect that would be quite a significant amount of those number.

They say that because they want to get the point across that you're only good as the work you put in, because if you do the work they want you to do, you'll probably get in. As I've explained, that is a bit misleading.

Ah, I missed that. Good point. Bad on my part for missing it. But, I guess I can still say what I meant was for those who are trying to actually make it. My mistake for not clarifying. But, good point nonetheless.

Justin,

I have to hand it to you. For a sixteen year old with that kind of wisdom speaks volumes about you. You have a good head on your shoulders and it will carry you when you get older and out in the real world. I hope you made it this year. If you didn't make it, don't give up. There are plenty of opportunities to play out there. (other junior corps, senior corps, etc..) We (HeatWave) had our first practice this year yesterday in Orlando. From what we were told by our drum instructors is that the positions we are playing are ours to loose. By screwing up and not practicing, you may be experiencing 2006 not on the field but as a spectator in the stands. Good luck!!

Awesome Awesome post... just one thing i would like to ad to that and that is recovery.... You obviously don't want to make mistakes but if something does happen the quicker you recover yourself the tech's will take notice to that. When I auditioned for corps that's definetly one thing they looked at at the beginning. Mistakes happen you just need to look past them and always push forward

Wow, this post really made me think about what NOT to do and what TO do when ever I should try out.

Question

Where are the camps held at?

Camps are usually held at high schools.

As for going into an audition just to experience and learn as much as possible, there are a few pros and cons about this that I have been debating over.

Pros:
1. You experience and learn as much as possible.
2. You can go in with a very good attitude.
3. Instructors like to see that you really want to learn. As the times change anyone can get ahold of a popular piece of music via internet, which makes the general playing level of those auditioning higher, which causes instructors to look more for ability to pick up and learn new things quickly as opposed to already knowing the ropes. (That's my opinion, and I know it's most likely going to get challenged, so go for it.)
4. If you do not make it you aren't crushed, but rather happy that you learned so much, which is always better to concentrate on the good. It helps you keep an optimistic outlook.
5. It's easier to relax and play more calmly if your not worried sick about making it. This in turn causes less "dropping-out" because a relaxed mind focuses on little other than drumming.


Cons:
1. You may play differently than what is expected, but I believe that even if you are going for just the experience, most people will play the same.

But I mean I had a good mixture of both, and that's the real good thing to do. You should always play like you're in the line, but don't be crushed, look to the positive (which there will be a lot of), if you don't make it.

By the way, conciously approaching and addressing each of the 10 things I listed helped me tremendously while auditioning for an winter indoor drumline. I made the line, I march two off of center with 1 other high schooler and 5 college players. This is the mindset I have when I go into an audition that I am nervous about. I hope this helps more.

-Justin

I've been to three different ausition camps over the past two years and I learned all the same stuff you did. You were right on with everything you said. I going back to Teal Sound ( a D2 corp) next year and will hopefully march with them. I was able to make the cut this year n snare but I cant afford it until next year.

Donny

After deciding I couldn't persue in keeping on auditioning at Jersey Surf, I looked back at what I learned.

- The way my instructor taught me was a lot different than what the corps was looking for, therefore, I was forced to adjust the kind of style I have when I play, as well as how the sticks are held.
- Just by attending that camp, my chops improved so much. It was necessary for me to push myself and play for hours on end.

It's a really good experience.

My experience so far has been something of "do or die", in that I've really been forced to adapt to a different style of playing. The 10 things listed in the original post, plus other people's input, have been invaluable to me in helping me make my first foray into drum corps with the right mindset.

I'd also like to mention that the part about learning Electric Wheelchair and so forth not impressing anyone is spot-on. ;P I saw a lot of people at auditions who could play all sorts of impressive pieces, but lacked fundamental technical skills, which in turn made everything they played sound rather dirty. I've found it's a lot more important to be able to play the warmups with confidence and good quality of sound rather than playing solos fast and loud.

I had my first one just a little bit ago too and learned all of these things as well. It really is another level but a level that kicks but if you acheive it!!! Drum Corps Rules!!!

Going over some old posts and I found this, I think this should be something we have for everyone to read. This is sound firsthand advise.