How To Audition For DCI!

[@DouglasStevens0521]

Thank you for these tips! I got cut last year and didn't get to march but I learned so much from the audition camps I attended and I am ready for this year! I am going to march this year that's for sure!

[@helpmeimconfused]

AmazingCheetos good luck man! Same thing happened to me last year and I'm thinking about trying out again

[@giot2627]

did you make it???

[@lifeofmikem]

Did you end up making it?

[@domrow3474]

I know these videos are quite old... But they've actually helped me so much and as a result I marched scouts this past summer! I just wanted to thank you for all of the helpful adivce that these videos had, helping me prepare my audition, to helping me pack for spring training.

[@AustinArmstrong]

Good!

[@Jleslie2011]

Watched this over a year ago, finally got a hold of a tuba and have been practicing for the Seattle cascades camp this December. Thanks for being a friendly face in the gateway of dci!

[@logasimpso8274]

I got cut from BK this season, got hit up by genesis, crossmen, and troopers. I couldn't make it to these camps because they were just too far, so I am really bummed that even though I had corps hitting my line I didn't get to march this season. I lost access to my feedback from the two BK camps I attended, so in my practice I have to try to remember everything they told me. I am really grinding hard and practicing and taking lessons so I can march BK 2023, though, so thank you so much for your tips!

[@Natepbtn34]

I am also going to audition for BK (1st time) anything I should know about the corp/ audition process?

[@mmBunny14]

Im auditioning for scouts this Sunday!!!!

[@jrad1178]

good bid Austin

[@johngilliland3134]

Great advice I will add that the most important thing to do is practice and improve on the things you were criticized about This will clearly show that you are attentive to what you are told I also will say that just because you do not make one of the top tier corps your DCI ambition is gone Thankfully some of the top tier corps realize where most of the talent that audition every fall came from, smaller DCI corps and have been encouraging folk who do not make the cut to try auditioning there Corps like 7th Regiment, Spartans, Gold, Blue Devils B, Jersey Surf and much more

[@drakey9658]

Ive only been marching bass drum for a year but i really want to auditions for Mandarins (i live in Sacramento) and im worrying that i will be cut for people more experienced than me, im already 17 so i dont have very many years left.

[@C.Zebra99]

Drakester -Not Brian just go for it man. It can never hurt to go in and try. You might even get a pleasant surprise!

[@MrAzteckgamer]

Holy crap I didn't know you make KZbin videos. I follow you Instagram lol

[@dragonforged1687]

So, I am a Seinor in highschool in North Carolina, and my dream is to go for the Madison Scouts and Carolina Crown, but I just dont know when and where to put my name out there, and I dont know what age is really good for DCI, since I know you atleast have to be 16 Years old, but I dont know the type of skill range..... Help!!!!

[@AustinArmstrong]

Hey! go to the Madison scouts website and sign up for an audition!

[@emmablevins4688]

i’ve never done it but i’m just saying that you should audition and put yourself out there. the was Blue Stars works who i’m auditioning for this winter is that the ones they cut, the brass captain sends their names to other corps. so just get the experience to the corps and try again with another corp!

[@henry3343]

Did you make it?

[@esteban_osman]

yo we want an update!

[@connersanders6295]

Im a junior in highschool playing the trumpet. I'm going to an audition camp with the Crossmen. I'll definitely take these tips into consideration! And if I get cut, I'm definitely going out for scouts!

[@tommysteele7032]

im late but i'm a junior in high school and im going to audition for crossmen on mello. I play clarinet so i've been playing for about 3 weeks and theres a camp on dec 16-18. What are the crossmen camps like? Do i have a chance of getting contracted on minimal experience on the instrument?

[@jakemf1]

How about step one PRACTICE!!

[@kylegardner9240]

jakemf1 that's not just auditioning that goes for every part of everything ever

[@jakemf1]

EpicMem yes it is the secret sauce which most high schools kids do very little of!!

[@Hayungstrumpet]

Got contracted for Surf! Thanks for the tips.

[@JackC85]

Thanks, I’m a freshman in High school currently but I’m hoping to do DCI in the future. So I’m gonna keep trying to find a corp that fits.

[@iainoam2565]

I’ll have to do DCI after my highschool years because I’m participating in BOA with my high schools marching band, but this video is helpful for when I have to do this in the future so thank you!!

[@johngilliland3134]

These tips can help you in any type of not only music, but any type of audition or job interview

[@sunshinepurple1043]

Man things have changed so much. My family, four of us plus numerous cousins, joined when we heard horn music coming from a local park. Mom talked to the director, asked us if we wanted to join. Our dad had died a few years before. It really helped our pain. I feel bad for those who have to audition. Is it the same for colorguard?

[@Makkuvideos]

Thanks you for the tips! I'm a 15 year old trumpet player looking to audition for the Columbians as soon as possible. I'm really looking for experience but it's hard to start :/

[@ryank09]

Did you move on to a higher level corps or are you still with the Columbians?

[@drewjarrell2667]

I’m trying to audition for the Madison scouts this year for the 2019 season

[@jaydendoan4743]

Did u make it ?

[@drewjarrell2667]

@@jaydendoan4743 yep I did an I had a great season.

[@lukebingham6922]

is it normal to audition for drum corps knowing that you're not going to march that season?

[@lukebingham6922]

Andrew Orzechowicz not prepared financially

[@c00kiec00kies]

Luke Bingham Drum Corps usually have sponsors that'll help but I agree the finance is pretty big

[@isaac3055]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing especially when on average to get a spot on average is around 2,500.

[@emmablevins4688]

he made a video about how to pay for drum corps!

[@michaelhood-dowd4454]

Judging by your profile pic it looks like things worked out for the best :)

[@benward5567]

I auditioned at 4 corps this year and I earned two contracts I'm marching my rookie year at Pacific Crest

[@musicmen7561]

I know one of the trumpet soloist from the bluecoats from downside up

[@bryanhughes423]

Good stuff!!

[@clarkfitzgerald8814]

Definitely auditioning for Spirit next year!!

[@Foxzi_Moto]

I'm fourteen and I really want to march with the bluecoats or Carolina crown, and what I'm really worried about is finding someone who is from that corps to help me out, and the super high range of trumpets. I can only play as high as a c above the staff, and I've found it hard to build anymore range. I do lots of exercises and I still have 3 or so years until I will auditon, but I can't help be worried I will never make it. Because music is what I really want to do in my life, especially DCI.

[@tptCJ]

High C is actually pretty good. What Drum Corps look for is "good tone" for your range, so you don't necessarily need to be a badass above the staff. The other thing they look for is if you are good at the marching style you do, not necessarily good at their style but good at the style you were taught at your school. Another thing to keep in mind is that you don't need to march the top Drum Corps to get that DCI experience; many lower skilled corps have some good opportunities to gain that experience that might help you succeed at the corp of your dreams the next year, and those other corps can be super fun too.

[@matthewbreunig977]

I am a sophmore in highschool and I just bought an audition packet last weekend at my highschools state compitition

[@connor3308]

I’m looking for doing DCI next season since I turn 16 when this season ends. I wanna know what it’s like to march Scouts, because my two options are try for the Crossman, or return to my home state and try for the Scouts. I wanna know what it’s like to march that group before deciding on which corps to try out for!

[@AustinArmstrong]

Yeah! Scouts is great! Lots of great experience and the honor of being with your brothers is great

[@jetcenter7563]

Anyone here audition for Blue Knights in the past? I’m going to a one day camp in December and I really would like to be prepared for my audition

[@jumboliggy7665]

i marched 1986 to 1989 santa clara vanguard and won dci if anyone needs advice or wants to see my dci ring. when covid ends contact me if you need advice love scouts. i marched spirit of sunnyvale and got into scv my first time. he is saying lots of great things that help.

[@alexserrano9192]

How do you know if you have gotten cut? Do you just not hear from them or how?

[@Ryan-dz7mg]

Alex Serrano they tell you

[@iKentEven]

Ryan I had to ask one time. Rip. It was Genesis. But I’m auditioning again this year and have a WAY better chance this time.

[@emmablevins4688]

Kent Fuller waitttt i’m seeing genesis at DCI in salem virginia lol are you marching?

[@kolew2002]

Im a freshman in highschool, but i'm planning to audition on video this year for feedback, and maybe actually try out next year.

[@ayocoda]

I'm a junior in HS this year on Trumpet... Drum Corps has always been a dream of mine since I started marching back in '14, so I want to ensure that the year after I graduate is my rookie season for someone. I struggle a lot with range and intonation such as double tonguing and have a private instructor teaching me to do so. As for range, I've only hit a C (above the staff) a few times, and that's only when I was messing around before warming up. After warming up my max is an A, and I can't even reach that sometimes. I was looking to join an open-class corps for the 2020 season but wasn't sure how to go about auditioning or who to go for. Any advice?

[@HybridDrew]

C0DA you'll make it man. I'm a sophomore in hs and can play the c above the c you talk about. Lip slurs and range building is key! Doing academy for the 2018 season

[@ayocoda]

Thanks, good luck with Academy! I hope your tour brings you to Salem, VA next season.. would love to see you perform again

[@HybridDrew]

C0DA yeah man if you like jazz you can go to my page @ Pride Blues and check us out

[@SpaghettiNoises]

My opinion is that you should probably do some range building and lip slurs like Pride Blues mentioned earlier. I am a senior in high school on trumpet and the highest I have hit, albeit only once, was a triple high c. (There is a youtube video showing how to do that with Rashawn Ross) but the biggest thing is just keep going for it my dude. Don't give up on your abilities. I learned that what works for me is playing very low notes like pedaltones and going down chromatically with lower notes. The lower you can play, the higher you can play. Just keep on busting out those Cs in warmup and eventually you can do it anytime you wish. Trust me, I used to have the exact same problem. Good luck with your dreams man. I hope they come true for you (:

[@DouglasStevens0521]

Ok I'm a drummer so I can't really help you with brass stuff but I would recommend going to audition camps. I did that last year (unfortunately I got cut) but I learned so much and it has prepared me so much for this year. Hopefully this helps - Some junior in high school who want to help

[@flammyyyyy]

I would love to be in a DCI corp, but first surviving highschool band would be good... I'm a freshman on snare and my biggest problem is being too timid. Advice on confidence?

[@maxjonak6742]

Emma Zemancik stop thinking that other people are right, but rathar KNOW that YOU are right.

[@nathanielnurse8340]

to base off what max said, something that really plays into knowing youre right rather than other people is to actually be right

[@scoutsmiles6763]

Great job for Eagle Scout I’m an first class

[@CC-hq2nl]

Some background first: I'm 17, I have been in Marching band since I was 14 and my band has only been 48 people including guard so as you can imagine its very small, we are the smallest band in my district and every year when we go to competitions people are suprised we even have a band program. Anyways, I got braces during the summer before my senior year of marching band began, At the time I was the lead trumpet and I was going to get the trumpet solo but my braces were fresh so everything hurt and I couldent play the same anymore, BUT that didnt stop me, you see in my band at the time there were no mellos so I steped up to the plate and volunteered to play So now in my band Im the only mello with a mostly low brass band, I am very lound and they have to constantly tell me to be quieter, my nickname is "power lungs", I am very happy with the choice I made to switch, even though I had two weeks to learn how to play the mello and memorise the whole show I think I play pretty damn well, they put in 2 solos for me so now my energy wont be wasted. My instructor says I'm a very strong player and I do everything perfectly just not at the same time, he says I am more than capable to march in any core I choose but It would be best to start with blue coats for 1 year before I audition for the blue devils. Keep in mind I'm 17 and graduating in 2018 I want to be in Drum Core ASAP. My dream is to be Lead mellophone in the blue devils before I turn 21.

[@nataliebrown8488]

I wanna be in the blue coats or blue Devils

[@Ray-ij8ot]

Natalie Brown good luck on that one you have to soo good

[@yacob1113]

Good luck Your gonna need it

[@HavenMarches]

I wonder if I should wait until I have corp marching experience? This is my 7th year playing trumpet and my 2nd year as the trumpet section leader for my school, which marches military style. I plan on going to TJC or Commerce to earn scholarships through one of their corps which will simultaneously get me that corp marching experience. Either that or... i wonder if I already have enough experience...?

[@dougmcintosh9290]

I didn't get 'cut' from Madison when I auditioned in '92. I ended up walking away on the second day, after I totally nailed a flam/flam drag/roll thing when I was playing with the full line. It was Nirvana because I was playing loud as hell and still couldn't hear myself. I completely ruined my individual audition the day before because by the time my audition came(6 pm), my hands were completely worn out(because I was chopping out all day), and I fell apart during a couple measures towards the end of the audition piece. if you have an audition late in the day, don't wear out your hands and only play/talk to/with the veterans who are on scene.

[@emersonandava1618]

I’m auditioning for blue devils next year super nervous

[@joshronquillo2063]

I'm currently a junior in high school and wants to do dci this upcoming summer for guard going into my senior year but i don't think i can because i also wanna take a summer class so i can take ap calc but also the amount of money put in for dci

[@reggiemolina9025]

Hello Austin! I have a few questions, do you know how many people auditioned for the scouts when you were in? How to prepare physically for drum core?and all the places you traveled on tour. Thank you

[@elipitchford3956]

Good ol mr. brough

[@ihaveacamera2345]

Sheepus Maximus big brough

[@shinynator]

so if I'm good at my instrument and I finished eagle scout, I'm more likely to get accepted?

[@purplekk10]

So even if I don't plan on marching that season, I just want the experience from the audition, I should do it? what if I were to be told that I'm ready for it now, but I didn't want to march that season? Reasons being, wanting to be in my last year of high school marching band and financial

[@AustinArmstrong]

kristyn stylinson just do it! Audition anyways!

[@eviltoms]

I'm a freshmen in highschool and I really want to join DCI but I've always been a woodwind on clarinet. What would be a good instrument to practice on to get the feeling of playing brass? What age do players mainly audition?

[@demonfaceINC]

you might enjoy mellophone or TC baritone so you won't have learn a whole other clef like I did for Jazz band (tuba to trumpet) plus I tried a mello once and I automatically had the range of a god like idk what it is but range is just not a problem on the mello. If you can't get used to the small mouthpiece try the baritone (it's really easy imo) if you want to be risky then try the tuba/contra but that would take years of balancing tone because of the huge mouthpiece. Hope this helped.

[@abbykress8313]

How old where you when you joined the Scouts ?!

[@AustinArmstrong]

19

[@Ethan-sh4rh]

Not sure if anyone still comments but I want to join BD when I graduate highschool(currently sophomore). I’m in my highschool marching band so I definitely have some marching band experience and I definitely have to work on my range on trumpet but the thing I’m worried about is that I live in LA so how in the world would I manage to go to the Bay Area every rehearsal would I have to move over there? Also where would some young adult get so much money? I searched it up and the fee varies but it’s around $3500 would you just have to save money for a while if you have a job?

[@jaredchacon2645]

I did the same for academy this year I didn’t make the callback but I’m going to do it again. the biggest problem for me is my motivation to practice if anyone has any tips please tell me because I would love to even do one season of drum corps before college thanks

[@AustinArmstrong]

Getting yourself to practice everyday is a struggle for me as well, just push through!

[@luiscruz3181]

Blue devils or bluecoats 🙈🔥?idk which one imma audition for

[@bkilgore1346]

I am 16 years old and am gonna ask my band director to assist in teaching me, color guard. Do you think I can get ready by next season?

[@rhd1974]

What did you play with the Scouts?

[@DefenceAqw]

what all do you do in drum corp audition camps?

[@tptCJ]

I don't know if it has changed but I auditioned for Cavs and (i think) Scouts back in '04. They basically give you audition music to prepare which involve a short passage and some scales. They had two parts during the audition camp, the marching and music. So for the music part of the audition, they broke everyone into groups of like 5-10 and went into a room and each person played the passage and/or chromatic scale one at time. This way really exposed if you are good or not too since you can compare with each person in the room who auditions. Then, for the marching portion we first learned a drill (like march forward 5 yards, left traverse 5 yards, forward, right traverse 5 yards, etc) and formed rows of 5 or so which would march one row at a time. They were looking at how well you performed the style you were taught in your own band, to see how well you can be taught their style. I can't remember for sure, but you might also actually get to play some of their music together with all the auditionees. Finally, they post the results of who made it and who got callbacks. I ended up marching another corps though (Southwind '04) since I barely missed the cut for the Cavs. The corps I marched I literally only knew about because my friend had tried out and told me there were openings. I basically walked on, auditioned for like 5 mins and made a Lead Soprano/Trumpet spot. Probably one of the best things that happened for me too cause the staff and members were all really cool and I even got a solo. Plus we made Semis and marched in Broncos stadium. If I had done this differently, I would have not waited my last year I could do it, but it's so expensive, so the challenge is getting parents to understand that the $1k+ it takes to participate is well worth it, lol.

[@OK-bk1qh]

My audition camp was audition with seemless integration into the line the same night, they didn't waste any time, they put us in a chorus room with the arranger, and the air conditioning off, it was like 87 degree's in that room, we started learning the music book we sweat it out in that room for 2 hours, this was a gentle reality check, the real fun comes later at everdays, and then, tour " the gut punch"

[@nathan.2805]

Do you have any friends that have marched or is marching in the Bluecoats? I really want to join their band so bad, It's been a dream of mine since I found them out last year. It would mean a lot to me if you can find someone

[@mike_the_maker3996]

I was think about auditioninf for a drum corps but im worried about college. Did you skip college or is there enought time to do onljne college?

[@luisclark3693]

Hey I'm 16 and I have a few years of experience on the trombone and I was wondering if you have any tips for me so I can take it in and get ready to do my dci and I was also wondering how old you ya e to be to join a dci

[@donovanmaynard1796]

I really want to go out for a drum corp next season but I live in Florida and it seems that only a couple of corps do auditions in my state. Scouts are my favorite corp and has been for as long as I can remember. Do you know if there is anyway that I can audition and not have to pay to fly to wherever the audition is?

[@C.Zebra99]

Donovan Maynard check their website but I'm pretty they actually have a camp in Florida this year. But after that, yeah paying to get to Indy would be a pain.

[@Actrs3.7]

The blue devils energy is almost undescribeable

[@dhruvsrinivasan8558]

does anyone know any good drum corps in baltimore?

[@markwoods5457]

Do i need to pay to get the audition material or do i just show up to a camp and do i need to pay for each camp i go to? Hope to hear back soon

[@dakotahbill9960]

mark woods I auditioned and got cut with Music City. Though I think it varies from group to group, all of their files were free. Typically basic exercises and possible some music from the next year's show.

[@Striker2able]

mark woods Varies from corps to corps. I know Bluecoats, Crown, BD, etc make you pay

[@Porkchopagus]

Should i audition for Vanguard Cadets or Blue Devils B

[@pufflerate123]

hopefully you tried for vanguard and made it last year lol

[@adriandraper8458]

Well I'm 14 and I wanted to know how old u have to be to join a DCI

[@scorroar1084]

Once you’ve entered high school so your good

[@feliciabell6527]

How old do you have to be to join any types of cors

[@drumcorplover2239]

hi coolbear 28 the youngest I'm pretty sure u can be is 15 all the way up to when u age out. at 22 but this may vary from the different corps

[@haydengroover590]

16-21 (15-22 can be possible, depends on your birthday) official DCI rules. Some corps require previous experience in DCI. Others do not.

[@gavinreed7214]

How old do you have to be or is it a what grade you are in requirement. I am 13 but I want to go to D.C.I when I am older. How old is the minimum audition age

[@AustinArmstrong]

Typically 15 is the youngest. HOWEVER there are some Corps that allow younger!

[@gavinreed7214]

Austin Armstrong do you have any suggestions, I play Euphonium and I am female.

[@skrittyy]

How would one go about doing DCI while still in high school? Some of the staff members at my school said they knew people my age in like the Colts and stuff so yeah. I'm thinking about trying out for Blue Knights or something. (Also I play trumpet and have really good range for my age a junior, usually I can play an E above the staff with the same tone as normal notes and also can play up to a triple C.) Advice?

[@Bread-yx2eg]

ddaavviiddoo I wish I had your range. I'm pretty good, but my range is awful. I can play up to an E above the staff, but in an actual song, I can only play around a G on top of the staff. I'd love to say it's all because I have braces, but deep down, I know that's not the case.

[@connerwp]

Can someone explain age outs

[@shack9376]

Conner Phillips there is an age cap on marching dci. The age cap is 21 (with some exceptions to 22 depending on your birth month). So as long as you're 21 (or 22) or younger, you can march.

[@carsonbrooke8194]

I have that shirt

[@connersanders6295]

Carson Brooke same lol

[@JuanHernandez-tn5ex]

I only liked this video so it can stay at 420

[@emilydunlap3414]

I got my mellophone earlier this month and I was wondering how I can develop my range and musicality better? I want to audition for 7th Regiment

[@garrison_compcub2536]

I’m a clarinet, why am I watching this 😂

[@lukeparsons4965]

CompetentCub 123 learn tuba😤

[@AUTI5M0]

Hey, I was wondering what your Instagram is.

[@cadence1052]

I want to go for music city for the 2019 show but I will only be 13 I want to do guard any tips

[@theneweraofmusic5578]

Cadence practice your ass off frs frs if your not doing anything right now. Practice your flag or rifle like crazy everyday no joke.

[@Bobobo-bo-bo-bobobo]

I want to march the Blue Devils for a couple of reasons: 1. I love technical music and arrangements 2. I’ve always been the best in my band, and I want to be around other great musicians 3. I want to be part of something big

[@chickenpermissioncsgoandmo1021]

Gavin Blackshear “I’ve always been the best in my band” you sound like an egotistical dickbag.

[@Chazahc18]

@@chickenpermissioncsgoandmo1021 XD

[@MatthiasEdits]

Chicken Permission * CS:GO and More - It’s pretty easy to tell if you’re the best in a band. (Hint: Chairs)

[@chickenpermissioncsgoandmo1021]

@@MatthiasEdits (Hint: That only applies to your fucking section. Not the whole band. Egotistical asshole.)

[@TheMudsnake]

How to audition for DCI: Be ridiculously good.

[@1049berkeley]

Damn you're cute.....

[@Mrtellitlikeitis]

should be..................HOW TO AUDITION FOR A BAND CORPS.1...........take ballerina lessons/dance lessons....2...........learn to sing....3...........accept the fact that no matter what you do, your not beating the Blue Devils band......4...........get familiar with obscure music arrangements so you can bore the audience to tears......5...........learn to play woodwinds, cause that's what's coming next..........6...........continue to dilute yourselves that your actually in drum corps, OR be part of a bigger movement by CHANGING THE NAME TO WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS.....................GLORIFIED BAND INTERNATIONAL

[@SpicyChicken560]

You must be a blast at parties

[@AustinArmstrong]

well, call it what you wish. the activity grows by the thousands each year

[@Mrtellitlikeitis]

yes......I actually am........thanks!

[@Bread-yx2eg]

Jim S I saw you on another dci video. Do you just go around looking for places to troll? If you actually hate drum corps, I can't imagine why you watch so many dci videos. By the way, I recognized you because..................... you type......... like....................this.

[@OK-bk1qh]

Did you ever march

[@theyakel1]

Me playing the flute and can’t play a middle C on the trumpet and wants to do dci 🥲

[@lil_bann]

I’m Japanese student and I’m dreaming about play in the drum corps but I don’t know what corps I must go first season , and I wanna know how much money is necessary to play a season of dci .

[@colintyrrell1018]

りめらむ average cost per Corp is $2,500(US) per season, good luck if you decide to go out for one!